183° 
Summary of Proceedings of the Bath Natural History and Antiquarian 
Field Club for the year 1874-5. 
Mr. CHAIRMAN AND GENTLEMEN, 
It has hitherto been our custom on the 18th of February to 
terminate the year’s proceedings with a dinner, to commemorate 
the foundation of our Club on that day, now twenty years ago. 
So few members (four or five only) responded to the usual notice 
that it was thought necessary to abandon the anniversary dinner 
this year. Whether on account of the inveterate superstition that 
clings to an Englishman’s mind on the subject, or from a feeling of 
respect to the Vice-President, an impromptu dinner was organised at 
the York House, and Mr. Scarth read an address on the progress 
of Archeology which he had prepared for the anniversary (vide p 
135). The usual conversazione which concluded the evening meet- 
ings for 1873-4, was held on 18th March. The attendance was good 
and Captain Mackay Heriot was the first to lead off with a paper 
containing the results of his inquiry into the composition of the 
Bath Mineral Waters; and very important these results were. 
(Vide p. 163). Many interesting facts were brought out in the 
discussion that ensued between Dr. Hunter, Messrs. Ekin, Rebert 
Biggs, Moore and others, respecting the origin of the gases and 
minerals contained in the waters ; and also regarding their source, 
whether it was to be looked for at no great distance below the 
surface, or whether it was deep seated and connected with some 
_ old volcanic vent. The Rev. Prebendary Scarth, who presided, 
having conveyed the thanks of the meeting to Captain Heriot for 
_ the important communication he had made, Mr. Robert Biggs 
then illustrated the manners and customs of the Upper Ten 
Thousand in Bath at the close of the 18th century by giving an 
account of a little episode which occurred on Combe Down; the 
4 deliberate murder in duel of Viscount du Barri by a Count de 
_ Rice; or as it was called, “A Tragical Adventure of the Viscount. 
