ANNUAL MEETING, FEBRUARY 11, 1862, 103 



they may think appropriate : and the taste displayed in this vvill 

 be considered in the award. 



This prize will he competed for at the Great Show which is to 

 be held on the 2nd of July, 



XII.— ANNUAL MEETING, Feb. 11, 1863. 



The Annual Meeting for the election of Council and officers 

 for the ensuing year, and receiving the report of the Council, was 

 held in the Council Room at the Society's Garden, South Ken- 

 sington, on the above date, Sir Wentworth Dilke, Bart.V.P., 

 m the Chair. Mr. Thomas Mooee, and Mr. W. B. Booth:, 

 having been appointed Scrutineers of the approaching ballot, the 

 Secretary read the following Annual Report from the Council to 

 the Fellows : 



Repobt fkoh the Council, 



A FEW short weelvS ago the Council had looked forward to this 

 Meeting as an opportunity for congratulating the Society upon the 

 prosperous state of its affairs. Now, through the lamented death 

 of H.R.H. the President, their satisfaction has given place to 

 sadness and gloom. 



r The Fellows are already aware of the promptitude with which 

 Her Majesty, with characteristic disregard of Her own feelings, 

 at a time when She was overwhelmed with grief, deigned to think 

 of the Society, which, had been so specially the object of Her 

 Royal Consort's care. The spontaneous promise of support which 

 the Queen has so graciously extended to it calls for its most 



grateful acknowledgments* 



The Fellows have already been informed that, without loss 

 of time, an address of condolence was forwarded by the Council 



to Her Majesty. 



A further most gratifying demonstration of the Queen's purpose 

 to do everything in Her power to support the Society, and carry 

 out the intentions of Her lamented husband, has since occurred* 

 Fellows are aware that at the present Meeting it falls upon them 

 to elect their President and office-bearers. Had Providence not 

 removed their late President, it would have been the privilege of 

 this Meeting again to elect him. In consequence of his decease, 

 however, it became the duty of the Council to consider whom they 

 should recommend to the Society for election in his place ; and 

 they deemed it becoming to endeavour to ascertain Her Majesty's 



