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our Society has been hitherto redeemed, by the valuable and im- 
portant work done by the able observers and skilful Naturalists it is 
our good fortune to rank amongst our members. It will suffice to 
mention the names of Wright, Buckmann, Jones, Lycett, Brodie, and 
Symonds, to recall at once names of writers well known in the 
scientific annals of the country, and of whom some have by their 
works obtained a more than European reputation. 
To preserve such a Society in its full vigour and activity, is no 
light responsibility for any individual, let his accomplishments or 
fitness for the task be what they may ; and it was with the utmost 
diffidence, and with aheavy sense of the importance of the charge, 
that I permitted myself to be nominated for the office of President at 
the eommencement of our last season ; and this sense of responsi- 
bility was in no degree lessened by the fact, that I was called upon 
to succeed in office, one of the most justly popular Presidents that 
ever conducted the affairs ofany similar association. My predecessor, 
Mr. Barwick Baker, was at the birth and founding of this Society ; 
indeed, I may say, that in conjunction with our amiable friend, Sir 
Thomas Tancred, he was our parent and founder—“ fons et origo””— 
and during thirteen years, in the course of which, his supervision 
never relaxed, nor was his tact found wanting; he saw it grow and 
gather strength, until our reputation stood amongst the highest 
of similar societies, and our example becoming contagious, gave rise 
to vigorous off-shoots in the neighbouring Counties, of which the 
Field Clubs of Woolhope, Malvern, Worcester, and Warwick are 
living and flourishing evidences. 
With the strong sense then that I entertained of the disadvan- 
tage of following such a predecessor, I may well be believed, when 
T assert that it was with hesitation and reluctance that I consented 
to accept the office of President of the Cotteswold Club. Relying, 
however, upon the kind support of the members, and on the in- 
valuable assistance of our able and indefatigable Secretary, Mr. 
Jones, I undertook the duties of the office, and I am thankful to say, 
that thus sustained, I have found my task comparatively easy; and 
at this, the termination of my year of office, although, as I have 
said, our proceedings have not been illustrated to any extent by 
written contributions, yet I can point with satisfaction to the work 
accomplished, to the healthy and vigorous condition of the Club, to 
our increased numbers, and to the undiminished interest in our 
proceedings, as testified by the usually full attendance at the 
different places of meeting. 
The annual Meeting of the Club was held at the ‘ Ram Inn,” 
Gloucester, on the 15th of February, 1859, when T. B. Ll. Baker, 
Esq., after reading an address reviewing the proceedings of the past 
year, to the regret of the Club, vacated the Presidential chair, 
Professor Buckman at the same time retiring from the post of 
Secretary. 
W. V. Guise, of, Elmore Court, was then elected President, and 
John Jones, of Gloucester, Secretary, for the ensuing year. 
