17 



be estimated at i70, and the working expenses at £40 ; thus leaving 

 but £30 for publishing the " Proceedings," the average cost of which 

 has much exceeded that sum — the expense of the first eight volumes 

 amounting in the aggregate to £560 5s. 7d. 



The subject of life-membership having been brought under the notice 

 of your Council, in connexion with an increased subscription, they 

 would recommend that an alteration in the laws be made, so that the 

 present and future members may compound for all subsequent sub- 

 scriptions. A motion on this subject will be submitted to you. 



Your Council are glad to report that, in accordance with their 

 recommendation of the 4th of October, 1852, subsequently confirmed 

 by the Society, admissions to all the public meetings are given to the 

 presidents and secretaries, ex officies, of the Royal Institution, Poly- 

 technic Society, Architectural Society, Chymists' Association, Photo- 

 graphic Society, Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire, and the 

 Academy of Arts ; and that this privilege is reciprocated. 



The members of these societies were invited to the first of those 

 important meetings when the Eev. Dr. Scoresby addressed the Society 

 on the Compasses of Iron Ships ; and on those other occasions when 

 that subject engaged the Society's attention, the Polytechnic Society 

 and the Compass Committee were admitted to the meetings ; and this 

 Society was invited to the public meeting of the Polytechnic Society 

 when the same subject was brought before them. Your Council refer 

 to these and other indications of good feeling with satisfaction, seeing 

 that mutual intercourse not only strengthens hands but awakes dor- 

 mant energy. 



Finally, in accordance with the laws, the Council recommend for 

 election upon the new Council the five following gentlemen : Francis 

 Archer, M.K.C.S.E., Frederick W. Bloxam, Edward Bretherton, F.G.S., 

 Rev. A. Ramsay, M.A., and Alfred Higginson, M.R.C.S.E. 



They resign their trust, confident that the honour of this Society 

 safely rests with its members, and that the Council to be chosen will 

 carry out the intentions of the Society with zeal, prudence, and firm- 

 ness of purpose. 



Signed, 



JosKPH Dickinson, M.D., F.R.S., President. 

 David P. Thomson, M.D., Hon. Secretary. 



