of 



( Bead May 9th, 1905.) 



N addressing you from the Presidential chair for the 

 first time, I cannot help feeling how grateful we 

 ought to be to my two predecessors' in office, 

 under whose rule our Club has been gradually 

 built up into its present very satisfactory 

 condition. Our first President (Mr. J. C. 

 Mansel-Pleydell) has entered into his rest 

 after a life of usefulness and successful energy 

 that we might all well try to emulate. Though we deeply 

 regret the loss of our second (Lord Eustace Cecil), we have 

 the great pleasure of knowing that he is still amongst us. 

 Thanks to his liberality, a most important addition has been 

 made to the resources of the Club in the form of two medals, 

 which bear the names of our two first Presidents, and have valu- 

 able prizes of 5 each attached to them. These will be offered 

 for competition annually, and the first subjects are announced 

 in the present programme. The number of our members is 

 higher than it has ever been ; we have, thanks to our excellent 

 Treasurer, Captain Elwes, money in the funds; the meetings 

 organised by our Secretary have been well attended and success- 

 ful ; and we have to thank our Editor for one of the best 

 volumes of " Proceedings " yet issued. On the other hand, it is 



