Annual Report. 195 



There have been no less than seventeen resignations, for the most part without 

 cause assigned, and amongst Members of but recent standing. 



" A copy of the audited accounts for 1892 is printed with the last number of 

 the Magazine. The receipts for the year are considerably above the average, as 

 is also the sale of the Society's Magazines and other publications, while on the 

 other hand the expenses at the Museum and some other items of account having 

 slightly decreased, the balance carried forward is larger than for some years past. 

 The published accounts do not include the special subscription for a memorial to 

 the Rev. Canon Jackson. The amount promised is not yet suiEcient to justify 

 the Committee in carrying out the scheme for the enlargement of the Society's 

 Museum. The project has not been lost sight of, and it is hoped it may in time 

 be realised. The list of donations to the Museum and Library, which will be 

 found at the end of each number of the Magazine, show that our treasures are 

 being constantly added to, but this very increase brings the Committee face to 

 face, whenever it meets, with the impossibilty of displaying to any advantage 

 the many objects of interest entrusted to the Society. We know as a fact that, 

 had we space, further collections of interest and importance would soon find their 

 way into our hands. The Society has to thank Mr. Willis, of Steeple Ashton, 

 for arranging the ' Wiltshire Trade Tokefls,' at the same time adding largely to 

 the collection and preparing a careful and accurate catalogue of them, which is 

 published with the last Magazine. The work of cataloguing the contents of the 

 Library is still iu hand. 



" Our collection of English coins is a long way from being complete, but 

 we have recently received a very considerable addition to their number from Mr. 

 H. N. Goddard, to whom the thanks of the Society are due. 



" The Committee appeal to all Members of the Society to assist in making the 

 Society's Library a real library of reference for all Wiltshire matters by presenting 

 to it books, pamphlets, newspaper cuttings, sale catalogues, drawings or 

 engravings — whether of ancient or modern date — on all subjects connected in 

 any way with Wiltshire or written by Wiltshire men. Things which would 

 otherwise go into the waste-paper basket will prove valuable material for history 

 if thus preserved. 



"It is hoped that a full and complete catalogue of the Stourhead Collection 

 may be undertaken before another year passes. The great value and importance 

 of this collection is little known except among experts. The Committee regard 

 it as a duty, even at some considerable expense, to have a catalogue worthy of the 

 collection prepared and printed. 



" Numbers 78 and 79 of the Magazine have been issued since our last Meeting, 

 the former completing the 26th volume. The Committee ventures to ofEer its 

 opinion that the interest, value, and importance of the Society's Journal is fully 

 maintained. Whilst recognising the support of the former contributors of 

 papers, the Society welcomes new workers. 



" Attention is called to the report at the end of No. 79 on the ' Transcription 

 and Publication of Parish Registers,' which contains valuable suggestions to all 

 who are anxious to assist in the preservation and transcription of such documents. 

 It will be remembered that among the notices to Members a resolution of the 

 Committee has long been recorded desiring that every encouragement should be 

 given towards obtaining second copies of Wiltshire parish registers. 



P 2 



