ANNUAL REPORT. 



Your Committee again bring before the Members of the 

 Society their Annual Report. The work has now been carried 

 on for twenty-two years, and we still have amongst us many 

 who assisted at the founding and organizing of the Society and 

 who continue to take an active interest in its prosperity. The 

 past year has been one of steady progress. Another Section has 

 been added to our list— "The Astronomical" — so we have in 

 all eight Sections embracing the chief subjects which are 

 included in the large field of Natural Science and Literature. 



We have on our list six hundred and sixty Ordinary 

 Members, twenty-four Honorary Members, and fifteen Corres- 

 ponding Members. Ninety-nine new Members have joined the 

 Society during the past year, and by death and removal we have 

 lost thirteen. 



It is with regret we record the death of Mr. T. Bennion 

 Acton, one of the staunch supporters of our Society. Though 

 he did not live in Chester, he was rarely absent from our 

 Annual Conversaziones and Excursions. He was a most able 

 Botanist, and made a special study of our Cryptogamic Plants ; 

 he also had a sound knowledge of Geology, gained by personal 

 observation. His loss is a great one to the Society, and all who 

 knew him personally will feel they have parted with a true 

 friend, and one who, during a useful and busy life, did much to 

 further the interests for which this Society exists. 



His Grace the Duke of Westminster has during the 

 past year occupied the position of President, and to his 

 unfailing kindness and courtesy we are deeply indebted. His 

 Grace has materially assisted the Society from its very 

 commencement, and some of the finest specimens in the 

 Museum come from the Eaton Estate, and were presented by 

 him. 



