2 Proceedings of the Dumfriesshire and Gallou-ay 



" 3. To elicit and diffuse a taste for such studies where it is 

 yet unformed. 



" 4. To ehicidate the resources of the district in the several 

 departments of Natural History and Archajology. 



" 5. To secure means for practically facilitating the study of 

 these branches of knowledge. 



" Sir — Your opinion of the proposed Society, and if possible, 

 your promised aid in its support, will much obhge. — I am. Sir, 

 your obedient Servant, 



" J. Gilchrist, Secretary i)ro tempore. 



"Crichton House, Dumfries, 6th Sept. 1862." 



The replies to the circular having been universally favour- 

 able to the scheme, a second meeting of the preliminary com- 

 mittee was held on the 4th November, Dr. Grierson in the 

 Chair, when it was proposed and agreed to, that as abundant 

 encouragement had been afforded to the coramittee to proceed, 

 a meeting shall be caUed for the purpose of endeavouring to 

 constitute a Society, and to transact such other business as 

 may be deemed necessary. 



The circular was as follows : — 



"The preliminary committee appointed to consider the pro- 

 priety of estabhshing a Natural History and Antiquarian Society 

 for Dumfriesshire and Galloway, having sent cu-culars to parties 

 supposed to be interested in such an object, and having received 

 answers of such a character as to warrant them in taking further 

 steps for its estabhshment, beg to state, that a meeting will be 

 held in the Mechanics' Hall on Thursday the 20th, at 8 p.m., for 

 the purpose of appointing a permanent committee, and transacting 

 such other business as may be deemed necessary. — I am. Sir, your 

 obedient servant, " J. Gilchrist, Secretary pro tern-pore. 



" Crichton House, Dumfries." 



This, the initiatory meeting as already mentioned, was held 

 on the 20th November, and Mr. M'Diarmid having been re- 

 quested to take the Chair, and the proceedings of the prelimi- 

 nary committee having been explained, as has been just 

 detailed, it was agreed by the gentlemen present — Mr. Aird, 

 Mr. M'Diarmid, Dr. Gilchrist, Mr. Thorbum, Mr. M'Hraith, 

 Mr. Gibson, Mr. Caldow, Mr. M'Dowal, Eev. Mr. Goold, Dr. 

 Dickson — to form themselves into a society for the prosecu- 



