3 8 Presidentship of Martin Folkes 1750 



At a special meeting on May 3rd, the President in the 

 chair and fourteen members present, it was resolved : 



" That any Nobleman or Gentleman complimenting this company 

 annually with venison, not less than a Haunch, shall during the 

 continuance of such annuity be deemed an Honorary Member and 

 admitted as often as he comes, without paying the fine which those 

 members do who are elected by Ballott." 1 



This resolution remained in force for nearly thirty years 

 until it was formally rescinded in 1779. While it was in 

 operation the following donors of game were entered on 

 the books as Honorary Members : 



August 4th, 1748. The Hon. Philip Yorke (afterwards Viscount 



Royston and Earl of Hardwicke). 



July 26th, 1750. Henry Read. 



June 27, 1751. William Hanbury. 



August 15, ,, Marquis of Rockingham. 



,, 27, 1752. Sir Matthew Featherstonehaugh. 



March 22, 1753. The Earl of Morton. 



July n, 1754. The Earl of Shaftesbury. 



Oct. 31, ,, The Earl of Marchmont. 



August 7, 1755. James West. 



5, 1757. The Earl of Chesterfield. 



Dec. 8,1768. The Earl of Huntingdon. 



Aug. 17, 1769. Lord Cadogan. 



In further extension of this objectionable practice, as time 

 went on, the presentation of other dainties besides venison 

 was regarded as a qualification for Honorary Membership 

 of the Club. On October 4, 1750, the following resolution 

 was entered in the Dinner- Register : 



"Andrew Mitchell Esq. [a visitor then present] proposing to com- 

 pliment the company with a Turtle which he expects very soon 

 from the West Indies : 



It was resolved nem. con. that any Gentleman giving a Turtle 

 annually should be considered an Honorary Member during the 

 payment of that Annuity." 



Still more extraordinary was the resolution adopted on 

 3d January 1750 : 



" William Hanbury Esq. having this day entertained the com- 

 pany with a Chine of Beef which was 34 inches in length and weighed 



1 Minute-book No. i. 



