r 78 ] 



as his, and by that alone ; and when a gentleman of his means and 

 capacity would set apart his valuable life to a seemingly out-of-the- 

 way subject like this, and proclaim such facts as those to which he 

 has given utterance that night, no man was more worthy of the 

 praise and honour of his fellow men. 



In answer to Mr Pankhtjrst, it was pointed out that the 

 Braehiopoda served a purpose in the animal economy. They con- 

 stituted food for other animals, and were even eaten by some in 

 America. Several other gentlemen engaged in the conversation. 

 At its close, the specimens exhibited by Mr Davidson were ex- 

 amined with interest. 



Febrary 25th. 

 THE ANNUAL SOIREE. 



The 4th Annual Soiree was held at the Royal Pavilion, the 

 whole suite of rooms being engaged for the occasion, and proved 

 none too large for the gathering of members and their friends, 

 which numbered between 700 and 800. 



The Banqueting Room, two Drawing Rooms, and Saloon 

 were devoted to a variety of interesting objects, while the Music 

 Room was converted into a dark room in which short quarter of an 

 hour lectures, illustrated by the magic lantern, were given at 

 intervals during the evening. 



The exhibition of objects of interest was not only more varied 

 than on former occasions, but in many cases unique. In the North 

 Drawing Room, the Sub-Wealden Exploration was brought pro- 

 minently under notice, Mx. Ernest Willett here presiding over cases 

 in which were shown a number of the latest cores extracted from 

 the bore hole, as also those which were brought to the surface just 

 prior to that unfortunate breakdown, with the particulars of which 

 the public had )3een already informed through the reports of Mr. 

 Henry Willett, F.G.S., the Honorai-y Secretary to the undertaking. 

 During the evening, the cores were eagerly and studiously scanned. 

 Close by the Sub-Wealden cores, Mr. Ernest Willett exhibited the 

 bones and flints which he found during his excavations at the 



