INTRODUCTORY REPORT. 



The work of tlie Club during 1888 lias not been 

 marked by any special feature, thougb it is satisfac- 

 tory to be able to place on record that it still holds a 

 position of acknowledged influence and power among 

 the Educational Institutions of the town. 



Profiting by afi&liation with the Manchester 

 Geographical Society, the Committee were able to 

 arrange for a Geographical Soiree under the direction 

 of Eli Sowerbutts, Esq., F.E.G.S., its Honorary 

 Secretary, with which the Session of 1888 was 

 appropriately inaugurated. The Lecturer brought 

 with him a valualjle collection of Charts, Maps, 

 Atlases — ancient and modern. Old and Eare Geo- 

 graphical and other interesting exhibits, with which 

 to illustrate his remarks. A Catalogue of these 

 exhibits was printed for the use of the Members, and 

 will be found appended to the brief report of the 

 address given on the occasion. 



An epitome of a valuable paper on " Local 

 Aids for promoting the Culture of Art, Science and 

 Literature," by the late Eevd. John Stroyan, and read 

 before the Club on December 8th, 1874, is given at 

 the end of the volume. 



It is largely to be regretted that there still appears 

 to be much apathy evinced by the Members in attend- 

 ing the Summer Excursions, a fault which has seriously 

 engaged the attention of the Committee. It need 

 hardly be pointed out that elaborate arrangements 

 cannot be made for these Excursions without involving 

 a large amount of time and labour, not only to the 

 Secretary and Ofiicers, but to those at a distance whose 

 services must be sought to render them a success, and 

 the conclusion has been come to that, unless greater 

 interest is shewn to warrant incurring "Excursion 

 responsibilities," this interesting department of Club 

 activity will have to be much modified or abandoned 

 altogether. During 1888, only two Excursions took 



