INTRODUCTORY REPORT. 
a 
In presenting for the first time in the history of 
the Burnley Literary and Scientific Club a record of its 
work, it will be appropriate that some general remarks 
be made respecting the foundation of the Club, its 
progress and present position. That ten years should 
have been allowed to pass without there having been 
secured in some permanent form a systematic account 
of the doings of the Club, must to those really in- 
terested in the Club’s welfare, be considered a mis- 
fortune. Generally speaking, the regular chronicling 
of the transactions of Societies like ours is regarded 
as a necessary part of their work, and as a justification 
of their existence. Any publication therefore which 
shall aim at recording the proceedings in some con- 
nected form, must be welcomed by the members as a 
distinct gain to the Club, and a valuable addition to its 
usefulness. The difficulties, and it might be added, 
the impossibilities, attending any attempt after the 
lapse of a decade to compile a history which should 
not only be complete in its catalogue of events, but 
should present a brief account of the papers read, 
excursions made, and the manifold work accomplished, 
will be readily recognized. Indeed, were only the 
materials which are available, to be made use of, great 
labour would necessarily be involved, and the result 
would be a book far too voluminous and costly to 
render its publication expedient. It is therefore pro- 
posed in the first issue to do little more than insert a 
list of the members and officers of the Club from its 
commencement; recite the contents of the syllabuses 
which from time to time have been put forth; and 
