ABSTRACT OF PROCEEDINGS. 
1873-4, 
SEPTEMBER IITH. 
ORDINARY MEETING—SPECIMEN EVENING. 
On taking the Chair, the newly-elected President, Mr. J. E. 
HASELWOOD, said that as the Society had been the means of affording 
him much pleasure and gratification, he felt it his duty to respond to 
the request that had been made to him; but, as the members had 
elected him, knowing he had no special qualification, they must take 
the responsibility of the step in the event either of his Presidency 
being a failure or a success. He need hardly say, however, that he > 
would do his utmost to fulfil the duties of the position, and he heartily 
hoped that the Society would have a prosperous career during the 
ensuing year. 
Mr. G. Scort, in acknowledging a vote of thanks, said that when 
he was unexpectedly elected to the post he had just vacated, he 
determined to be as regular as possible in his attendance, and to try at 
least to preserve his equanimity of temper, whatever might arise. 
Fortunately there had not been a single opportunity of putting the 
latter resolution to the test, and, with regard to the former, he was 
glad to say that he had attended every ordinary meeting, he believed, 
except one, and-then he was absent in Norfolk on an expedition by 
which he hoped the whole town would benefit. And that reminded him 
that a kindly reference had been made to his position as Curator of the 
Public Library and Museum. He wished to say that, when accepting 
this appointment, he felt a strong inclination to resign the presidency 
of the Society lest it should be thought to detract from its dignity. 
He was dissuaded, however, from doing this, it being pointed out that 
there was a very good precedent in the connection of Professor Edward 
Forbes with the Geological Society (applause), and-he had certainly 
