NOTICES OF MEETINGS, 43 
to confess and record the fact as an essential part of the history of the Society, 
but the capabilities and possibilities of the P. M. S. are not otherwise than 
temporarily affected thereby, and if means can be devised of putting it on an 
efficient working footing in accordance with the intent and theory of its founders, 
real workers will again be enlisted in our service to take the place of those we 
have lost. 
‘There has appeared in our books one short note by Mr. Hammond which 
I am especially pleased to be the means of commending, not only to this Society, 
but to all scientific Societies ; for the spirit in which it is written is precisely that 
which should animate the breast of every scientific man. The circumstances that 
called forth that memorable note, I will not fully relate, suffice it to say that 
a Member taking leave of us, in a by no means unkindly manner, gave full 
reasons for doing so, and one of them was thus worded,—‘ / am convinced that 
I can lay out 10s. to bring mein a greater amount of scientific knowledge than I 
can ever hope to get from this Society.” To this our friend Mr. Hammond writing 
for once in pencil, and stretching his hand from a bed of sickness, replied,— 
‘ The value of his money is not the light in which a Member ofa Scientific Society 
Should view his connection therewith. It is a means of giving as well as receiving, 
and surely the value of each Member must depend more or less upon the extent to 
which this is recognised. I do wish that each would therefore do what he or she 
can to contribute information on the slides as they come along, and in the pleasure 
of the effort the question of 2. 6d. or 10s. per annum will be lost to view, 
**Tn the rules of most Societies, scientific or otherwise, there is generally a 
reasonable admonitory hint, that all who join them should contribute, more or 
less, to promote the objects for which they were founded. But so numerous are 
Societies now, and so great the advantages secured by Membership, easily and 
cheaply gained that it is too often forgotten that Membership has duties as well 
as privileges ; yet before joining, any of these people are too ready to ask what 
personal advantage will accrue to them, rather than, how far they are able and 
willing to contribute to the common good. 
** The advantages will certainly be undervalued by those who, dwelling in the 
Metropolis or large provincial towns, have opportunity of meeting frequently at 
scientific gatherings, and seeing all that is new in the way of apparatus and 
slides commercially offered to the public ; but for isolated workers in remote 
country districts, particularly those of retiring habits and limited means, the 
circulation of our packets should form a bond of union, and a means of convey- 
ing information which could not otherwise reach them. 
“The question of high or low powers has been frequently debated. One too 
often hears disparaging remarks made, as to the work done by those who have 
long used moderate powers, and assertions that work so done is untrustworthy, 
and will have to be done over again; whereas observations made with the 
highest powers are grima facie open to question, and not entitled to acceptation 
until they have been verified by independent (and preferably sceptical) critics, 
as the illusory images given by high powers are apt to shape themselves accord- 
ing to the theories of the observers ; and even men who for a few years only 
have used high powers, may be led to consider themselves more competent 
discerners than those who for many years have pursued their investigations 
without, and yet this can rarely be the case. 
“From the advanced standpoint of the present day it is we should take a 
hasty glance around. With the great German and other continental workers, 
communication has been chiefly restricted by diversity of language, and must to 
some extent continue to be so, for the same reason ; but, thanks to the zealous 
labours of Mr. Frank Crisp and others, who conduct the affairs of the ‘ Royal 
Microscopical Society,’ we have in its now excellent journal, early information 
and record in most convenient and accessible form, of whatever is being done in 
matters microscopical throughout the world. 
“And now, in conclusion, and that those inclined to work earnestly, patiently, 
