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The Committee would suggest to members, that they might 
make these opening meetings still more interesting and instructive, 
by lending articles for exhibition. 
The Papers which have been read before the Association 
during the Session have been of a varied description. 
There were thirteen Meetings, exclusive of the Conversazione, 
and the Annual Business Meeting. 
Twelve Papers have been read, and two Lectures, by 
professional gentlemen, given at these meetings. Six of the papers, 
and both lectures, were on subjects connected with science ; four 
were of a literary character; and two more or less of an archzo- 
logical nature. ‘The average attendance has been generally good, 
in fact, more numerous than in any previous year. It must, 
therefore, have been pleasing to those gentlemen, who have devoted 
time and labour in the preparation of papers, to see that their 
work was appreciated. 
Two of the Papers dealt with local subjects—‘ Notes on the 
Whitehaven Rural Sanitary District,” by Mr. J. Syme, Medical 
Officer of Health, and ‘‘ Whitehaven Colleries,” by G. H. Liddell. 
The Lecture in connection with the Cumberland Association, 
was given by Mr. J. E. Taylor, F.G.S. The attendance was not 
quite so numerous as on the first occasion when he lectured in 
Whitehaven. 
The paper by the Rt. Hon. G. C. Bentinck, M.P., which he 
was prevented from reading during the Session of 1877-78, was 
read on the 4th of February. In the course of replying to the vote 
of thanks accorded to him, Mr. Bentinck made some further re- 
marks of a most interesting character, in elucidation of his views 
on the Restoration of Ancient Buildings. 
The Lecture by Prof. Williamson, F.R.S., was an extra lecture. 
The funds of the Association would scarcely have warranted 
the cost in connection with this lecture during the present year. 
Thanks, however, to the assistance received from various members, 
a considerable proportion of the expense was guaranteed by private 
‘subscription: an example which might be followed with advantage 
