aspirations. They might also find some plan of improving the 



attendance at their evening meetings, because when members 

 had taken some trouble in preparing a paper it was not very 

 encouraging to find about four members present. In proposing 

 the toast, he coupled with it the name of an absent friend, their 

 President, the Rev. L. Blomefield, whose weak health prevented 

 his being with them that evening. The Secretary's health 

 having been proposed, gave him an opportunity whilst returning 

 his thanks to express his great pleasure at the compliment which 

 had been paid to their President. Might his health be indeed 

 preserved for many years to come, to enable him to watch over 

 the interests of the Club ! Mr. Blomefield often regretted his 

 inability to take a more active part in his duties as President, 

 but though obliged on account of his health to abstain from 

 being with the members in person, yet he (the Secretary) assured 

 them that he was with them in spirit, and from his study was 

 constantly planning something for the advancement of the Club, 

 and watching anxiously after its interests. As to his own ohare 

 in the work of the Club, he would always work heartily for them 

 if the members would stand by him ; but he must say that 

 some of them seemed very indifferent to the objects for which 

 the Club was founded. In conclusion, he asked them to drink 

 the health of their treasurer, Col. St. Aubyn, for by his excellent 

 management the Club had a balance in hand, and the arrange- 

 ments of the dinner had also been undertaken by him. This 

 having been duly honoured, the rest of a pleasant evening was 

 spent in conversation, and no doubt every member determined 

 to work with all his might for the Club. 



T)ie Committee having considered the question of the small 

 attendance of members at the Evening Meetings, determined 

 to try an alteration of the time, and accordingly reverted to the 

 old plan adopted some years ago, of holding the meetings for 

 papers, exhibition of specimens, &c., in the afternoon. This has' 

 proved decidedly a success, and the audience during the past 



