NOTICES OF MEETINGS, 65 
The Chairman said the Members would observe by the syllabus that a change 
has been made in the management of the Library ; instead of the books being 
kept in that building as in days gone by, they are now stored in the rooms of the 
Society. The Library is available to Members every day except Saturday 
between the hours of twelve o’clock and three, when books can be taken out. 
On Saturdays the Library is open from eleven to one o’clock. Each Wednesday 
evening during the winter session it will be open from 6-30 to 7-30. The 
Association has a good collection of books, and he trusted that the Members 
would make use of them to a greater extent than they have hitherto done. 
Mr. Thomas Brittain then addressed a few remarks to those assembled on the 
subject of the Microscope. It gave him great pleasure to be amongst the 
Members that evening, especially in connection with what he might call his 
favourite study. He had been a student of science through the microscope for 
at least forty years, and during this period it had been his pleasure to notice how 
gradually but steadily the study of the instrument had been coming into use. At 
the time to which he referred one could have counted on one’s fingers the num- 
ber of gentlemen who possessed Microscopes, and it was the same throughout 
the whole country. Medical men knew nothing about it then, the knowledge 
was not required, but at the present time a medical student was compelled, 
before he could pass his examination, not only to be acquainted with the use of 
the instrument but also to know a great deal about the human tissues. It was 
a most delightful study to everyone who engaged in it, and he had observed that 
it was beginning to spread not only amongst the wealthy classes but also 
amongst those whom we called mechanics. He might state that throughout 
nature, animal and vegetable physiology, geology, and even in chemistry and 
other natural sciences, the aid of the microscope was important. In conclusion, 
he expressed the pleasure that it would afford him to give information for the 
next two months and assist those Members who might visit him. 
NORTH OF ENGLAND MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY.—The annual 
meeting of this society was held on Wednesday evening, January 12th, in the 
Patents Rooms, Literary and Philosophical Society, where the Microscopical 
Society will meet in future, by permission of the committee of that institution. 
Mr. John Brown, vice-president, occupied the chair, The honorary Secretary 
(Mr. M. H. Robson) read the report, in which the committee congratulated the 
members with the assurance that, numerically and financially, they were in a 
good position. 
The suggestions embodied in last year’s Report were carried out as far as 
practicable. Two -Conversazione were held, open to friends of members ; 
tickets of admission were sent to the principal schools of the town for the use 
of advanced pupils, and a supply sent to the Literary and Philosophical Society, 
Art Gallery, Public Library, and Working Men’s Club, 
The arrangement for a series of lessons in mounting animal and vegetable 
preparations was not carried out, as those anxious for instruction failed to make 
a proper arrangement with the volunteer teachers, who would have gladly given 
their services if required. 
The out-door meetings held in June and July were of a very enjoyable 
character, especially the second one, by permission of Sir Henry A, Clavering, 
Bart., at Axwell Park, and will probably be a marked feature in next year’s 
proceedings. 
In withholding in-door meetings during June and July, the recess is useful as 
not interfering with holidays, allowing members the opportunity in their excur- 
sions of prosecuting microscopical research in the open country, 
The President of the Society having been elected a Fellow of the Royal 
Microscopical Society during his term of presidentship, members are now able 
to consult its Journal, which is a great advantage to those who wish to keep 
abreast of the times with reference to scientific discovery and inquiry, 
