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~r 
sincere thanks. It may not be generally known that Dr. Nicholson, 
F.R.S.E., D.Se., M.D., who holds the distinguished position of 
Professor of Natural History at the University of St. Andrew’s, 
and who lectured before the County Associations with so much 
approbation, is by birth a Cumbrian. His lecture on “The 
Nature of Life,” was a skilful endeavour to make as clear as the 
structure of the subject would permit, the vital issues involved in 
an investigation of what is, perhaps, the most problematic question 
in the whole range of modern scientific research. 
It it is to be regretted that while, on the one hand, the 
productive resources of the Association, as an educational means, 
have been satisfactorily developed, the material sources of its 
prosperity have, on the other hand, become weakened. In point 
of numbers, there are twenty members less on the register this year 
than last ; and, against a loss of thirty, there can only be placed a 
gain of sixteen new members. This exceptionally large decrease, 
however, includes the loss by removal from town of twenty-two 
members, so that the falling off cannot be justly traced to any lack 
of interest in the work of the Association. The actual number 
now on the register is 269, comprising 80 Associates and 189 
Non-Associates. 
For the information of those who may not already be aware 
of the advantages accruing from Associateship, it may be mentioned 
that an Associate Member alone has the right to make use of the 
library, and to receive each year, free of charge, a copy of the 
Transactions of the Cumberland Association. 
The Library, which is now a special feature of our Association, 
contains about one hundred and sixty-five volumes, and it is the 
intention of the Sub-Committee of Management to supply through 
it a defect which has hitherto been keenly felt to exist in connexion 
with other public libraries in town, the want, namely, of permanent 
access to the best and newest literature on Science, Philosophy, 
Biography, and Belles Lettres. Although only in the third year of 
its existence, it is already fairly rich in helps to the student of 
Literature and Science. 
Under the able chairmanship of Mr. Joseph Adair, the 
Botanical section has assumed such self-importance as to necessitate 
a special report being prepared; and a similar remark applies to 
the Museum, under the admirable supervision of Mr. Welby ~ 
