17 
VALEDICTORY ADDRESS 
DELIVERED BY THE RETIRING PRESIDENT, 
H. POCKLINGTON, F.R.MS., 
AT THE SIXTH ANNUAL MEETING, 
FEBRUARY 23rd, 1876. 
= 
Gentlemen, 
The history of this association for the past year may be written 
from two stand points. From the first we shall glance at the deve- 
lopment of the association in its internal and social relations. From 
the other we shall review its scientific work, contenting ourselves 
with seeking to discover how far it has fulfilled its duty as laid down 
in its constitution, and how far it has progressed in developing that 
duty. 
The social life of the association during the past year has been 
marked by two or threeprominent features. Of the first-—its change 
of presidency—it is not for me to speak, otherwise than in thanking 
the officers and members of the society for the ready help and 
undeviating courtesy and kindness they have extended to me inall 
the circumstances of the year, and for the loyalty with which they 
have supported the office I have borne. A more important feature 
of the year, that cannot fail to have its influence for good or evil, is 
the prominent part the Society has taken, either collectively or by 
its chief officers and council in various movements in the tow n and 
the more extended public notice thence accorded to it. Mention 
is made in our annual report of the more important of these move- 
ments, that of the Yorkshire Exhibition of Arts and Manufactures. 
The connection of the association with the ,exhibition was of a 
two-fold character. Corporately its connection was limited to the 
share it took in one of the most successful “special days,” that of the 
Scientific evening. But the indirect connection of the association 
was much more extensive than this, for as most of you are aware 
nearly all its more active members including nearly all its officers 
and council were on the committee of the exhibition and took part 
in the duties thereof. 
This had a considerable influence on our summer and autumn 
sessions and no doubt to it may be attributed the somewhat low 
average attendance at our meetings this year. This point may 
perhaps be dwelt upon here for a moment, as there is no doubt that 
a small attendance of members at our weekly meetings is much to 
be deplored and that nothing can be more fatal to the progress, 
even to the existence of the society than the absence of its members 
