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discuss important matters with levity. Occasionally the just 
recognition of the merits of some contribution was omitted, 
whilst the effect of extracting fun and satire out of almost every- 
thing tended to check the desire to speak in debate. Comment 
was also made on the lack of sociability and friendly intercourse 
at the Club’s meetings; and recommendations were submitted 
with the view of redeeming the Club’s character from well-founded 
charges, and rendering its future brighter, more dignified, and 
more useful. 
[This paper gave rise to considerable discussion. ] 
V. “A PHILOSOPHICAL STUDY OF A FORM OF 
RECREATION.”’ 
The particular recreation here alluded to was ‘‘ Lawn Tennis,” 
which despite prophetic utterances as to its evanescence, grows 
in strength, and yearly increases the number of its adherents. 
The varied sources from which recruits for the game are drawn 
were humorously enumerated: and the author in entertaining 
style, pictured some of the peculiarities which the game manifests. 
The sundry antics performed, the freaks of fashion as set forth in 
costume, and the conceited utterances of unskilled enthusiasts, 
were touched upon; and it was observed how Tennis brought 
into strong relief man’s mental peculiarities. The writer claimed 
for the pastime that it secured gentle exercise and healthful 
excitement, and amongst other ways in which Tennis appealed 
to human nature, it afforded onlookers opportunity for expressing 
their private opinions upon the incidents and progress of the 
game. 
VI. « THREE LEAVES FROM AN OLD CHRONICLE— 
THE HIDDEN TREASURE.” 
This was the story of a legend, in three chapters. The legend 
centred round some old church and churchyard, and related the 
fulfilment of a mysterious prophecy which had been expressed 
in quaint poetic verse. 
THE REBELS OF 1715, AND THEIR LANCA- 
SHIRE FRIENDS. 
By ALBERT NICHULSON. November 3rd, 1885. 
This subject is one which, both from a national and local point 
of view, is of the greatest interest and importance. It has been 
very fully treated by Dr, Samuel Hibbert Ware, in his book 
