clxxii Proceedings. 



expenses as on the previous occasion we should start this year 

 with a debtor balance of about £20, instead of a small balance 

 on the right side. In point of exhibits, we have seldom if ever 

 had a better collection at our Soiree. There were 80 microscopes 

 contributed by our own and eight other Societies. The Photo- 

 graphic Section showed a fair number of pictures, and arranged 

 a very attractive table of transparencies. A lantern exhibition 

 also took place in the Old School of Art Eooni, and this was very 

 extensively patronised during the evening. Mr. Crowley, to 

 whom we were much indebted for a large number of decorative 

 plants, showed a large series of Lepidoptera of the Indo- 

 Australian Eegion ; and Mr. Elliott a miscellaneous collection of 

 antiquities. My own contribution was a collection of smokin? 

 pipes from all parts of the world, illustrating primitive aboriginal 

 form and design in such objects. Mr. Bidwell brought a series 

 of weapons, illustrating the development of the means of firing 

 ganpowder. Mr. Drage had a very nice collection of nests and eggs 

 of the eider duck ; and Mr. Thorpe, of George Street, lent some 

 very fine stuffed birds and animals, which greatly added to the 

 unusually fine effect of the stage decoration ; he also showed some 

 good sponges and corals. There were a large number of other 

 objects of interest shown by various members and fi-iends, and the 

 School of Art assisted with a selection of works by pupils, which 

 added not a little to the success of the evening. Mr. Mennell 

 kindly undertook the arrangement of the Club's herbarium in the 

 Small Hall, and there were besides several good collections of 

 botanical specimens. This is referred to in the Eeport of the 

 Botanical Sub-Committee. The usual exhibit of flowers gathered 

 in the open air at Addiscombe on the mornmg of the Soiree 

 reached, in number of varieties, 140, which is remarkable when 

 we consider the very severe and sadden frost of the October 

 previous, which absolutely destroyed all dahlias, nasturtiums, 

 and other soft plants. The arrangements as to tables, decora- 

 tion, &c., were much better than usual, and the carefully worked- 

 out details as to spaces for exhibitors were, as usual, in the 

 skilful hands of Mr. Berney. Although both halls were well 

 filled with exhibits, very many more might have easily been 

 obtained ; and I am sure that if necessary we can give many 

 Soirees from purely local resources, for we appear to have far 

 more collections and objects of interest in our midst than we ever 

 suspected. The total number present was 630. 



Our Conversational Meetings have been no better attended 

 than formerly, except, of course, those of our Photographic 

 Section, when the capacity of our one little room is severely 

 tested. I regret to say that the dark room, to which I had 

 looked forward as being of such use to the Club, has been so far 



