104 ANNUAL MEETING, 



wishes on the subject. With feelings of the deepest gratitude 

 the Council learned that had it been compatible with Her high 

 position, Her Majesty would Herself have condescended to fill 

 the office, , 



In proceeding, therefore, to the^ Election, of a President, as 

 required by the Charter, it will doubtless be the anxious desire of 

 the Fellows to meet the wishes of Her Majesty, who has been 

 pleased to recommend the Duke of Buccleuch to the Council, as 

 the person whom, under present circumstances, it would be most 

 agreeable to Her Mfijesty's feelings to see holding that situation. 

 The Queen has also expressed Her desire that though unable 

 Herself to hold the office of President, She may be kept as fully 

 acquainted with the proceedings of the Society as has hitherto 



been the case. 



Such encouragement and support, hallowed by the motives 

 ■which have actuated Her Majesty, must strike a responsive note 

 in every heart. The Council feel sure that the Fellows of the 

 Society will with one accord participate in their desire to join 

 ■with their widowed Queen iu carrying out Her lamented husband's 

 plans, and so completing the noblest monument which the Society 

 can offer to the illustrious Prince who did so much for it, and 

 who had its welfare so thoroughly at heart. 



A statement of what has been done since the last Anniversary, 

 and of what remains to be done, will best show the Fellows how 

 such intentions can be turned to practical account. 



The number of Fellows of the Society at the last Anniversary 

 (1st May, 18G1) was 1759. Under the new Charter the date of 

 the Anniversary has been anticipated, in consequence of which 

 only eight months are now to be reported on. During that 

 period 1005 Fellows have joined, of whom 365 pay 2 guineas 

 annually, 544 pay 4 guineas, 81 have compounded by the payment 

 of 20 guineas, and 75 by that of 40 guineas. The total number 

 of Fellows on 1st Jan. 1862, had reached 2774, composed as 

 follows, viz, : 



10 Fellows paying retrospectively 1 Puinea 



23 



6 



»> « >> 9> 



3 

 3 



716 ,i „ in advance 2 



215 ,; „ retrospectively 4 



915 „ -, in advance 4 



334 „ who have compounded by paying 20 



555 



" >» »» 40 



91 



jy 



>» 



»5 



ff 



97 



^> 



