INTRODUCTORY REPORT. 



The Volume of Transactions for the year 1886 

 is now presented to the members. In addition to 

 notices of the papers given during the year, there 

 are accounts of two papers which were read prior to 

 the publication of the yearly record of proceedings. 

 These are "Etymology of some Local Names in 

 Eossendale and District," by James Kerr, L.S.A.L. ; 

 and "Ancient America," by W. Angelo Waddington. 



At the end of the year 1885 there were 202 

 members. During the year 1886 the Club has lost 18 

 members by death, removals and resignations ; but 

 there has been an accession of 20 new members, 

 thereby increasing the membership list to 204, 



There have been held 25 meetings. At the 

 ordinary meetings the average attendance has been 

 33 members, 12 friends, or a total of 45. These 

 figures shew a slight improvement on the previous 

 year's record. 



Three Excursions took place in the Summer 

 months. The pleasure of the visit to Eibchester was 

 enhanced by the presence of Mr. W. A. Abram, 

 J. P., F. E. H. 8., of Blackburn, who described the 

 salient points of interest in the antiquities of the 

 ancient Eoman Encampment. A half- day's excursion 

 was made to Gargrave, and the Grounds of Eshton 

 Hall. The visit to Gawthorpe Hall provided a 

 pleasant afternoon's enjoyment for a numerous party. 

 The numbers attending the Excursions were respec- 

 tively 13, 7, and 36. It may be observed that the 

 programme for the year did not embrace any excursion 

 involving long journeys, or covering more than half- 



