3 
who had done so much to keep up the society, left Folkestone, much 
to the regret of Folkestone naturalists. ; 
In 1872, I find 170 members enrolled. At a committee meeting 
in August, 1872, the formation of Science Classes in Folkestone, im 
‘connection with the Department of Science and Art was discussed, 
and considered advisable and desirable, and the secretary was 
requested to communicate with the department, and also with the 
Mayor with a view to calling a public meeting. This public meeting 
was held on October 2nd, 1872, and classes were formed. 
Nothing else of great public importance occurred until January 
17th, 1882, when the following resolu'ion was passed: ‘“ That a 
memorial to the Town Council be drawn up, praying them to take 
Such measures as shall seem fit to them towards securing a portion 
of the site occupied by the King’s Arms, &c., for a Museum, Read- 
ung Room, and School of Science and Art, and that the Committees 
‘of the Natural History Society and the School of Science be asked 
to sign the same officially.’’ The Secretary, in proposing the 
resolution, said he hoped the members would support it, and 
though the request to the Corporation might not be granted at 
first, yet, as in the case of the Free Library, it would prepare the 
way for it when it was brought forward again. In February, 1884, 
I find Mr. Walton referring to the necessity of an extension of 
practical personal work among the members, so that the lists ot 
local productions might be made more complete. 
At a committee meeting in December, 1885, it was resolved that 
Papers on literary subjects might be read at the meetings of the 
‘Society. ; 
The next most important matter was the first meeting of the 
society in the new Museum on Grace Hill, which occurred on 
‘Tuesday, May 15th, 1888, and took the form of a conversazione, 
with music, and was in every way a great success. 
On November 11th, 1890, the first combined meeting of the 
Natural History and Microscopic Societies was held, and the 
Societies were amalgamated in March, 1892, and some alterations 
‘amade in the rules. At this same meeting Dr. FitzGerald resigned 
the presidency, and was made Honorary President, the society 
Yemaining for a year without any acting President. 
Thus in the past the society has striven to increase the love for 
natural history and the knowledge and interest therem, by field 
days, when papers have been read bearing on the geology or botany 
. of the locality, by lectnres of all kinds and on all subjects to the 
‘members of the society and to the public, free or at a small cost; 
iby conversaziones held on the same lines, some for the society only, 
‘others for the public as well, when specimens of all kinds, living 
‘and dead, macroscopic and microscopic, have been exhibited. The 
publications have been printed with the same object, but I fear have 
