200 HISTORY OF OUR SOCIETY. 
Before further considering how far we have done the work 
that might have been expected, it would be as well to 
consider what are the objects of such a Society as ours? 
I should classify the special work we ought to keep in 
view somewhat as follows: 
1st.—The systematic observation of local natural his- 
tory facts and their accumulation, together with all the 
reliable information connected with the historic and 
prehistoric past of the immediate district, in such a way 
that they are always available for future workers. 
This is more especially the work of the Society, and 
is usually carried out by the few. Undoubtedly it is 
best done by sections, and I think it is not necessarily 
the number of members forming any particular section 
that indicates its success, so much as the enthusiasm 
of the individual members. 
2nd.—The promotion and encouragement of the study 
of Natural History, Archeology, and General Science. 
This is what our Meetings, Lectures, and Excursions 
aim at, and I need hardly say that every member can 
assist in this by attending, introducing friends, and 
joining discussions both formal and informal. 
The rules which enabled us to have Junior Members 
in the early days and lately Associates, were framed 
with the idea of assisting in this part of the Society’s 
work, but I would point out that experience leads us 
to the conclusion that it is not desirable to elect actual 
school-boys, but rather boys who have just left school: 
the former are best under the care of masters, whereas 
the latter have arrived at a time in life when the intro- 
duction of some interest outside the daily routine of 
business is extremely desirable. 
3rd.—The collection of specimens and establishment 
of Museum and Library. Except in such towns as 
possess a public museum to receive such collections, 
