Dr Keith Johnston, at one of the December meetings of the Society 

 advocated the claims of the Palestine Exploration Fund, and, since hi 

 visit, a local Treasurer for that Fund has been appointed in Greenock- 

 namely, Mr Donald MaoDonald. It is an undertaking of almost unique 

 interest, and has received the approval and liberal aid of the Briti-h 

 Association, the Royal Society, the Eoyal Geographical Society, and other 

 distinguished bodies, besides having been sanctioned by the highest 

 personal patronage in the land. The object of the Association is to 

 investigate the archaiology, topography, geology and physical geography, 

 natural history, manners and customs of Palestine ; and to do all this in 

 a more formal and exhaustive manner than has hitherto been attempted. 

 A more attractive cause could hardly be recommended to an intelligent 

 community. 



The Reading Party on Political Economy, under the presidency of Dr. 

 Marshall, have, this session, completed the perusal of Mill's work on that 

 subject, and have proceeded to take up another volume by the same high 

 authority. The experience of this little association of ^Members has proved 

 how agreeably a book requiring careful study may be got through by read- 

 ing it in concert with others. In future winters, other parties who may 

 unite to select other works on subjects worthy of their pains, will receive 

 every kind of encouragement from the Committee. 



Arrangements will be made, as usual, for a few Excursions to be en- 

 joyed by the Members, when the 8ea.son is sufficiently advanced for the 

 purpose. 



OFFICE-BEARERS FOR SESSION 18G9-70. 

 President — W. J. Maushall, Esq., ^I.D. 



Vice-Fresidents—'^lessri James Milleu, Jr., Thcmas Pue.ntice, and Joh.v 

 Macokegou. 



Treaaarer — Mr Geo. R. M'Doioall. 



8tcretary—^lr John Love. 



Committee. 



Messrs A. O. Leitch. 

 John Stewart. 

 \V. Scott Aitkes, M.B. 

 Edward Blackmore. 

 Hugh Demi'STeu. 

 Alex. Mackellak. 

 Ales. S. Moriks. 

 JouN B. O'Neil. 



Messrs William M'Clvue 

 William Hair. 

 John Erskink. 

 Benjamin X')llL^- 

 Samuel Nicol. 

 Robert Young. 

 M. F. Dunlop. 



