260 Fourth General Meeting. 
being present, was not indisposition, but an engagement in London, 
which he was obliged to keep. 
At the request of the Chairman, the Rev. Mr. Luxis (one of the 
Secretaries), then read 
THE REPORT. 
The Committee of the Wilts Archeological and Natural History 
Society have little to add to their Report of last year. They are 
happy in being able to state that many new members have been 
added to the list; and that the Society is making that gradual and 
steady progress in the county which was anticipated. 
We have to regret the loss by decease of two life members, 
Joseph Neeld, Esq., Thomas Poynder, Esq.: and of one annual 
subscriber, Mr. Woodman; and the withdrawal, or removal from 
the county, of nine members. 
The cash account of the Society, up to the end of the year 1855, 
has been published in the latest number issued (No. VII). of the 
Society’s Magazine. It need not therefore be further adverted to 
now, except to state the gratifying fact that there then remained 
in the hands of the Treasurer and Local Secretaries, a balance of 
£287 2s. 103d., of which £200 has been invested in exchequer 
bills, bearing interest. 
The Committee are sorry that the publication of the Report of 
last year’s General Meeting at Chippenham should have been so 
long delayed; but it was owing to several unavoidable circumstances. 
At the period of that Meeting the previous number of the Magazine 
(No. VI). had only just been placed in the hands of the printer, 
and was not completed so speedily as the Committee had wished. 
Another reason may be found in the long and serious illness of 
our printer. But we would especially desire to be understood 
by the members of the Society that no inconsiderable part of the 
delay arises from their own diffident and retiring dispositions which 
so long continue to withhold those valuable original communications, 
which our Magazine especially courts. In default, however, of a 
regular supply of such original communication, other resources are 
available to which it may be desirable to call your attention. 
