1749 The Club's first General Meeting 33 



the company would be small, reduced the bill of fare to 

 unwontedly diminished proportions. His menu runs : 



Fresh Salmon and Soal. 



SirLoin of Beef, roast and pickles. 



Asparagus. 



and the smallness of the number of those who partook of 

 this repast involved an additional entry, always unwelcome 

 to the careful Treasurer : " Paid out of the Fund 13/6." 

 The members who went to see the fireworks had the satis- 

 faction of witnessing a gorgeous display of the pyrotechnic 

 art. An engraving of the architectural facade of scaffolding 

 which was prepared for it forms the frontispiece of the 

 London Magazine for the year, with the further information 

 that the Sun erected on a pole that springs from the crest 

 of the Royal Arms " is 32 feet in diameter and will burn 

 some hours." 



The first General Meeting of which the record has been 

 preserved took place in the sixth year of the existence of 

 the fraternity and is thus entered in the Minute-book : 



At a General Meeting of the ROYAL PHILOSOPHERS, Thursday 



July 27, 1749 



Present, Martin Folkes Esq. President. 

 Mr. Geo. Graham. Peter Daval Esq. 



Mr. Ellicott. Dr. Knight. 



Benjamin Robins Esq. The Rev. Dr. Squire. 



Mr. Peter Newcome. Daniel Wray Esq. 



Dr. Charles Feake. James Burrow Esq. 



Mr. Wm. Watson. The Rev. Mr. Birch. 



J. Colebrooke, Treasurer. 

 Mr. Professor Coulson, Dr. Moss, Paul Whichcot Esq. visitors. 1 



The Treasurer reported that he had received 7 175. 5d., 

 that he had paid out i us., and that there remained in 

 his hands a balance of 6 6s. 5d. He further announced 

 that three members had died in the course of the year, 

 Dr. Barker, Richard Graham and James Lever, and that 



1 For the first few years visitors were allowed to be present at the Anni- 

 versary Meeting, which was held in June or July ; but the inconvenience 

 of the practice led to its abandonment. 



c 



