Membership. 



At last Annual Meeting there were 834 names on the roll; 77 names 

 have been added during the year, but there have been removed during 

 the same period — by death, 14 ; resignation, 19 ; lapsing, 28 — Total, 61 : 

 leaving a net gain of 16, and making the total membership at this date 

 850, composed of — Honorary Members, 14; Honorary Associates, 2; 

 Life Members, 206; Ordinary Members, 628 — Total, 850. Amongst 

 those who have been removed by death may be mentioned the Duke 

 of Argyll, the Earl of Airlie, Sir Kenneth Mackenzie of Gairloch, 

 Mr Maxwell of Munches, Mr Poison of Thornley and Tranent, and 

 Mr Daniel Dewar, forester, Beaufort. 



The following is a list of the new Members admitted during the year. 

 (For this list see Appendix A.) 



Excursion. 



The Excursion to Baronscourt, Clandeboye, and Castlewellan, in 

 Ulster, was attended by from eighty to ninety Members and friends. 

 The weather was rather variable, but the trip was nevertheless a very 

 enjoyable one. After the return of the party, the thanks of the Society 

 were formally conveyed to the Duke of Abercorn, the Marquis of 

 Dufferin and Ava, and the Earl of Annesley, for their kindness to the 

 Excursionists on that occasion. The supplementary trip to the Giant's 

 Causeway was attended by fifty members, and although the weather 

 was not very favourable, it did not prevent the Members from making 

 good use of the time at their disposal in inspecting this great natural 

 wonder. 



Essay Competitions. 



The Syllabus of subjects for Essays was issued in June 1899, and 

 included twenty-five subjects, for which Medals and Prizes were offered. 

 Only three Essays were received and submitted to the Judges, who 

 gave the following awards, viz. :— A No. 2 Silver Medal, a Bronze 

 Medal, and a Special Prize of £1. 



The Syllabus of subjects for 1901 was issued in June last, and it is 

 hoped that there will be a larger number of competitors this year. 



Donors. 



The thanks of the Society are due to the following Members who 

 have either made or promised contributions to the Society's funds : — 

 Mr Muxro Ferguson, M.P., for the Baith Bursary ; and Professor 

 Baxley Balfour and Messrs John Methvex and D. P. Laird for 

 prizes offered by them. 



