13 
Dr. CarPeNnTER said he rose with very great pleasure first of all 
to propose a vote of thanks to the President for his services during 
the past year. He was quite sure that this would meet with their 
cordial approval, because however well a secretary or committee 
might work, without the head of the establishment was an equally 
good workman, as it were, an undertaking was not likely to be so 
successful as it should be. During the past year the President had 
thrown his whole heart and soul into the work, and helped the Club 
in every possible way. They had seen how it had grown and was 
still growing. This was chiefly owing to Mr. Lee’s exertions, and 
he was sure, therefore, that they would most cordially thank him 
for his services during the past year. He had now the pleasure of 
proposing that he be re-elected their President for the ensuing year. 
(Cheers.) The way in which Microscopical Societies were springing 
up all over the country was indicative of a growing desire on the 
part of the people to become more acquainted with natural history 
and natural science, and it was very important that those who had 
the management of societies of this kind should be men of knowledge 
and talent, and who, by their position, were connected with the very 
subject which a society was formed to promote. It was, therefore, 
a very happy thing for them to have a gentleman of Mr. Lee’s 
position and acquirements willing and able to take command of their 
Society ; because in proportion to the estimation in which the com- 
mander was held would be the estimation in which the Society 
was regarded. It was on that acconnt that their Club was held in 
such high estimation by other Microscopical Societies. If the 
Croydon Microscopical Club stood high in the estimation of other 
societies, it was entirely due to their President. (Hear, hear.) Mr. 
Lee had said he should be glad to retire if a suitable successor 
could be appointed, but he (Dr. Carpenter) could hardly understand 
the Croydon Microscopical Club without Mr. Lee as its President. 
It would be like a Liberal Ministry without Mr. Gladstone as 
premier, or a Conservative Ministry without Mr. Disraeli in the 
cabinet ; it would not do at all, and the thing could not possibly go 
on. He hoped as long as Mr. Lee was among them they would . 
have the honour of retaining him as their head, and would be 
. 
