Proceedings. Cxxi 
town, and who is yet a member of the Society, Mr. Henry Long, 
of 182, High Street, was in 1870 a member of the Quekett 
Microscopical Club, and, finding so much time was occupied in 
going to town to attend meetings of that Society at Gower Street, 
conceived it possible that a similar Club might be formed in 
Croydon. He therefore inserted an advertisement in the ‘ Croy- 
don Chronicle,’ addressed to microscopists and others, requesting 
gentlemen who were desirous of joining such a Club to send in 
their names to him at his residence. The response exceeded the 
most sanguine expectations, and as so large a number intimated 
their wish to enrol, it was felt that steps should at once be taken 
to form the Club. 
Knowing that Mr. Henry Lee, of The Waldrons, was a 
member of the Royal Microscopical Society, and greatly in- 
terested in scientific and natural history work, Mr. Long wrote 
him asking him for his support, which, after going into particu- 
lars, he readily gave, and further promised to do all in his power 
to advance the welfare of the Club. 
Subsequently a preliminary meeting was held at Mr. Lee’s 
house, to draw up the rules and appoint the Officers and Com- 
mittee, with the result that Mr. Lee was unanimously elected 
the first President, Mr. John Wakham Flower and Mr. H. Long 
being appointed Treasurer and Hon. Secretary respectively. The 
Inaugural Meeting was held at the Public Hall on April 6th, 
1870; and it is perhaps not too much to say that never has a 
provincial society received at its outset such support and en- 
couragement as did ours on that occasion. There were present, 
amongst others, the Rev. J. B. Reade, F.R.S. (President of the 
Royal Microscopic Society), Dr. Bowerbank, F.R.S. (one of the 
founders and an early President of that Society), James Glaisher, 
Esq., F.R.S., Professor Rolleston, F.R.S., Frank Buckland, Esq. 
(Her Majesty's Inspector of Fisheries), Robt. Hudson, Esq., 
F.R.S., Rev. Thos. Wiltshire, F.L.S., Dr. Millar, F.L.8., and 
Captain Tyler. Mr. Lee occupied the chair, and gave an outline 
of the foundation’ and aims of the Club. He stated that it 
commenced with upwards of eighty members, including several 
fellows of the leading scientific societies—three of the Royal, 
four of the Linnean, three of the Geological, several of the Royal 
Microscopical, besides members of the ‘‘ Quekett,”’ and he con- 
sidered it one of the most gratifying honours to have been elected 
first President of this hopeful band of workers. 
On the 23rd November, 1870, the first Soirée of the Club was 
held at the Public Hall. This brilliantly successful affair was 
attended by the principal families of Croydon and by several 
persons of distinction, including the Japanese Ambassador, 
members of the Royal and Linnean Societies, Quekett Club, 
and ‘‘ Old Change Microscopic Society.’’ On this occasion tables 
