less than in 1S53. But as the sales in that year were un- 

 usually large, in consequence of the great accumulation of 

 the most valuable class of duplicates which had then 

 taken place, the sum of £1004 9*. M., to which the sales 

 of 1854 actually amounted, cannot be considered in any 

 other light than as a most satisfactory proof of the riches 

 and good condition of the Collection. 



That this source of income will be fully as productive 

 during the current year is already placed beyond a doubt. 

 Feeling therefore that the fluctuations in v'hese two 

 sources of income have been as small as it was possible to 

 anticipate, the Council have great pleasure in noticing the 

 gratifying increase which took place during 1854 in the 

 Subscriptions, Admission Fees and Compositions. 



The Subscriptions amounted to £2803 12*., and pre- 

 sented an improvement of £239 ^s. as compared with 

 1853. ^ 



The Admission Fees amounted to £590, and presented 

 an increase of £160. 



The Comjwsitions amounted to £900, and presented the 

 very important increase of £380. 



The inference to be drawn from the steady increase 

 which has been estabUshed in these permanent 'sources of 

 income since the year 1851, is eminently gratifying, as 

 affording incontrovertible testimony of the appreciation by 

 the intelligent classes, of the efforts which the Council 

 have made to extend and improve the general scope of the 

 establishment, while rendering it as accessible and as 

 popular as th? constitution of the Society will permit. 



That this course has been eminently successful in 

 securing the approbation of the Public, for whose benefit 

 it was intended, is admirably established by the following 

 comparison of the number of Visitors subsequent and 

 anterior to 1848 : — 



Table of Visitors to the Gardens. 



