SI 



looking ornamental patn of butter, and doubtless in this regard many 

 ladies got a hint which will not be thrown away. One of the specimens 

 deserved special mention,— that sent by Miss Hadlow, of Uckfield, 

 The young lady milked the cow, made the butter, and manufactured 

 the very pretty basket in which it appeared at the Soiree ; and, what 

 with tasteful adjuncts in the way of flowers and ferns, she carried off 

 the first prize in the minds of the numerous critical inspectors. Mr. 

 H. Bull, of Hurst, also sent a miniature hamper of butter, which looked 

 all that could be desired. 



Superb collections of English and Foreign beetles, were contri- 

 buted by Mr. Dowsett ; butterflies by Mr. Colling ; and Indian butter- 

 flies and moths by Mr. Wills, occupied other tables, whilst no one could 

 fail to appreciate the beautiful skeleton leaves prepared by Miss 

 Gwatkin, and in the arrangement of which the greatest taste and skill 

 were manifest. Mr. C. Bellingham's fine assortment of casts of medals 

 and cameos attracted considerable attention ; and another great object 

 of interest was a beautiful shell basket shown by Mr. Cox, that gentle- 

 man also exhibiting some splendid specimens of the lyre bird. 



Electrical instruments of the most approved character were lent 

 by Mr. Whiting, of the Post office, and many of the company amused 

 themselves by forwarding messages to each other; whilst electricity 

 under another aspect was seen in its application to vacuum tubes, pro- 

 ducing some beautifully tinted fireworks ; Mr. J. Capon being the 

 demonstrator. Mr. C. J. Rowsell had his combination graphoscope 

 and other fine instruments on view, and various other apparatus and 

 objects of interest, including some excellent photographs shown by Mr. 

 D. B. Friend, were placed here and there about the. various rooms. 



During the evening, the following addresses were delivered in the 

 Music Room. The first was by the President. 



Mr. J. Dennant said it is usual on these occasions for the Presi- 

 dent to offer a few informal observations preparatory to the work of 

 the evening. These, I think, are fitting occasions when we may fairly 

 bring before your notice the work of our Society. I may say, to com- 

 mence, that wc are in a most flourishing condition. Financially, we 

 are extremely healthy, and the number of our Members is something 

 over 200. We have an excellent and valuable library of over 900 

 volumes of standard scientific works, and I am glad to say that the 

 library is now used by our townspeople without let or hindrance. 



