All the excursions were arranged, but owing to the 

 exceptionally wet season some of them had to be given up, and 

 this was the case with several of our evening rambles. It is to 

 be hoped we shall have a more favourable season this year. 

 Fortunately we had a splendid day for the Eaton Fete, May 21st, 

 which we have counted amongst our excursions. Many of our 

 most active Members devoted themselves to making the day a 

 financial success, which, in a great measure it proved to be, and 

 we have again to thank the Duke of Westminster for opening 

 his Park to us. 



Our Annual Conversazione took place on September 24th, 

 rather ealier than usual, in order that we might show some 

 hospitality to the Members of the International Geological 

 Congress, who were many of them at that time on their way to 

 North Wales. Upwards of sixty of their Members visited 

 Chester, and as our Conversaziones are always well attended, 

 your Committee judged that with this additional attraction, the 

 Museum building would not offer sufficient accommodation, 

 and were glad to avail themselves of the Town Hall, which is 

 admirably suited to a large gathering, and which was put at our 

 disposal by the Mayor, W. Brown, Esq. The Members of 

 the International Geological Congress were entertained at 

 dinner, by the Mayor, W. Brown, Esq., the Ex-Mayor, 

 George Dickson, Esq., Mr. A. O. Walker, and other 

 Members of the Society, and then adjourned to the Town Hall, 

 where, as far as possible, the Natural History specimens had been 

 arranged to show the objects of local interest. Unfortunately 

 our President, Professor McKenny Hughes, was unable to 

 be present at our Conversazione, owing to the serious illness of 

 his father, the late Bishop of St. Asaph. This was a great draw- 

 back and a loss to our visitors. He too would have thoroughly 

 enjoyed the gathering, as many of the Geological Congress were 

 his personal friends, and doubtless looked forward to the stores 

 of information he would have imparted during their tour in 

 North Wales. For ourselves, we always miss his genial 

 presence, and are heartily glad to welcome him at this our 



