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young students of nature, and, by introducing them to those whe 
have been able and willing to assist them, has given a “rcsh spring 
and impetus to their zeal. Ith given :.] of us many teuly appy, 
enjoyable, and profitable days; and, which I consider by no means 
the least oi its benefits, it has made rs all better acquainted with 
the objects of most interest, whether of nature or art, in our own 
county. But much as this is—for a small rural Club to be thankful 
for—we may say yet more. We do not boast that Sir Thomas 
Tancred, or any here, originated the idea of such a Club. I believe 
that, in almost every point, it was a simple imitation of that founded 
in the North, by Sir William Jardine, Mr. Selby, and Dr. Granville. 
But, I believe that ours was the first of these field Clubs in the 
South of England, and that the Woolhope, Worcestershire, Malvern, 
Warwickshire—aye, and even Sussex and Kentish Clubs—have been 
encouraged to commence, from seeing how well ours has prospered, 
and we feel ourselves strengthened and encouraged by a bond of 
union with similar societies dispersed over all England. 
But let us refer to our meetings of last summer, for, imperfect as 
my notices of our gatherings may be, I believe that even such a 
slight record of the principal objects of interest to be seen in the dif- 
ferent localities, where we have met, is of value, as serving to call 
the attention of future visitors to the same spot. 
On April the 27th, the Club gave both honour and pleasure to 
its President, by acceding to his request, and holding the winter 
meeting at Hardwicke. He had urged this experiment because he 
had long felt that there were, in different parts of the country where 
the Club might wish to meet, many gentlemen who would gladly 
exercise hospitality, were it not that the independent feeling (which 
I trust the Club will always maintain) forbids its being a burden 
to any one. 
Your President was anxious to show that, if others were not too 
proud to follow his example, this difficulty might be easily over- 
come. He therefore requested the Club to dine with him, paying 
the usual 8s. 6d. each for dinner, and he had great satisfaction. 
afterwards, in handing to the Secretary an account of the total cost 
of meat, bread, vegetables, servants to wait, &c., &c., of the dinner, 
shewing a balance of nearly a pound due to the Club funds. He 
would most gladly see this example followed. 
The party, before dinner, walked through the grounds, and up 
Hawklow, Oakleigh or Hockley Hill, on the side of which a Tenant 
Farmer called their attention to some most hopeless-looking pasture. 
A slight examination at the time, led to a correspondence and a more 
careful analysis of the soil, on which a course of treatment was 
recommended. This is now being carefully carried out on certain 
marked spots of the field, and the result remains to be seen. If it 
fails—being only carried out on small portions—the risk is small. 
If it succeed, not only that Farmer, but many another Farmer 
and Landlord too, may feel grateful for the visit of the Cotteswold 
Club. 
