deep regret, that they, in common with the rest of the Society, 

 have been deprived of the valuable co-operation of the late 

 Dr. Carson. Shortly after they were apprised of his intention 

 to reside permanently in Malta they forwarded to him a tes- 

 monial, in which they expressed their sympathy with him as 

 regarded the cause of his departure, and their hope that he 

 would not only recover health, but obtain in addition all those 

 honours to which his talents so justly entitled him. His sud- 

 den death has prevented a similar expression of the Society's 

 feelings (to himself) ; and all that can now be done is to 

 record thus publicly the high estimation in which his talents, 

 zeal, and assiduity were held by the members generally, and 

 the extreme regret they feel that his valuable kfe has so soon 

 been brought to a close. 



"Tor an account of the Literary and Philosophical Pro- 

 ceedings of the past Session, the Council refer to the volume 

 they have caused to be printed in compliance with a resolution 

 passed 6th March, 1848. 



"The Council can point with great pride and pleasure to 

 the illustrations accompanying the volume, for which they 

 are indebted to the talents and skill of their valuable member 

 Mr. Pidgeon ; and they take this opportunity of expressing 

 their thanks to him for the kindness and courtesy with which 

 he has twice given his services for the benefit of the Society. 



" During the past Session the laws of the Society have 

 undergone revision, and considerable alterations have been 

 made : this was done under the superintendence of a Com- 

 mittee appointed by the Society, to which the Members of the 

 Councd were subsequently added. Other alterations besides 

 those recommended by the Committee were made on the mo- 

 tion of private members. The changes which have been 

 introduced relate principally to the mode of election of Offi- 

 cers, the constitution of the Council, and the manner of con- 

 ducting private business. A principle of rotation has been 

 introduced, and an attempt has been made to restrict as much 



