496 REPORT OF THE COUNCIL, 



June. Some portions of them will not be in such a state of 

 completeness as they could wish, and it may be matter for the 

 grave consideration of the New Council to be appointed this day, 

 whether, after the formal and ceremonial opening and great Show 

 on the 5th and 6th of June, the gardens should not be again 

 closed for a short period, for the finishing of the works. 



One of the works to which the Council allude is the Memorial 

 of the Exhibition of 1851, now executing by Mr. Joseph Durham; 

 which, as Fellows are already aware, has been placed at the dis- 

 posal of the Society by the committee entrusted with its super- 

 vision. This is a work dependent on the powers of labour of 

 a single individual, and must bide its time; although every 

 exertion has been promised to be made to have it ready as soon 

 as possible, it cannot be in its position this year. 



Another feature which will not be ready by the 5 th of June, 

 is the supply of water. After anxious consideration the Council 

 decided on providing the water required for the various basins, &c., 

 as well as for the general use of the garden, by sinking an artesian 

 well. They found that the annual sums which would be charged 

 by the water companies for supplying them was so large, that 

 it was economy at once to take this step ; and Messrs. Easton 

 and Amos have contracted to do it, guaranteeing a supply of from 

 35,000 to 40,000 gallons per day. 



There are other minor matters which, though it may be said 

 that the works are incomplete without them, can hardly be ranked 

 under the head of unexecuted works. These are statues, tazzas, 

 vases, and other objects of ornament. As the Council trust that 

 the garden is to be progressive, and that constant additions to 

 its attractions will be made during successive years, they regard 

 such works rather in the light of ornamentation which may be 

 made, altered, or removed at any time, than in that of the perma- 

 nent structures of the garden, which their exertions have been 

 specially directed to have ready by 1! 



If the progress of the works has 

 has been the progress of the Society itself. Since 1859 a greater 

 number of new Fellows have joined the Society than ever before 

 did in any two years of its palmiest time ; * and this notwith- 

 standing that they have hitherto had scarcely any privileges to 

 enjoy. Such numbers suflSciently indicate the appreciation by the 



* In 1820 and 1821, tbe two most Brosoerous veai's of th6 Society, 625 



