ANNUAL REPORT. XXXIU. 



Mr. Hcrb(ut Spencer, who was already an Honorary Vice- 

 President of the Society, expressed his cordial approval of the 

 course of work proposed to be done by the Section, adding 

 some valuable suggestions. It is hoped in time to go through 

 the whole of his works, discussing special points as they arise, 

 and, where practicable, giving illustrations. 



At the first meeting Mr. W. 11. Hughes was elected Chair- 

 man, and Mr. Alfred Hayes Hon. Sec. ; but Mr. Hayes, in 

 consequence of pressure of engagements, resigned his office, and 

 on October 4th last ^Ir. W. Greatheed was appointed to fill the 

 vacancy. The Section has held eight ordinary meetings and 

 four special meetings, the average attendance at the ordinary 

 meetings being 19'2, which has always included several ladies. 

 The enumeration of the work done by the section will be found 

 on page xxii. of this report. 



The first meeting was opened by an address from the 

 Chairman. The discussion of Mr. Herbert Spencer's " Essay 

 on Education" was then formally introduced, and was continued 

 during the months of June and July. 



Mr. Herbert Spencer's "Principles of Biology" was the 

 next work selected for examination. It was felt that this work 

 was the one most likely to be congenial to the members of the 

 Society. The first chapter, " On Organic Matter," in part I. of 

 the Data of Biology, was ably introduced at the October 

 meeting by Dr. Alfi-ed Hill, and the subject was continued at 

 subsequent meetings by other members. Many interesting 

 microscopical and other illustrations have been kindly given 

 by Mr. J. 0. W. Barratt. B.Sc, Mr. W. H. Cox, Mr. W. H. 

 France, Mr. J. Levick, F.E.M.S., Mr. W. P. Marshall, M.I.C.E., 

 and Mr. Kabone, at the various meetings. 



A special feature of the Section has been that of the 

 excursions made to local spots rendered famous by great minds. 

 The first of these was made to " George Eliot's Country," on 

 the afternoon of Saturday, 2nd June, under tlie guidance of 

 Mr. E. W. Badger, when, by the kindness of Mr. C. N. 

 Newdegate, M.P., the fine hall and grounds of Arbury (the 

 Cheverel Manor of " Mr. Gilfil's Love Story") were thrown 

 open to the members. A paper on "George Eliot" was 

 subsequently read at a special meeting of the Section by Mr, 

 Badger, to which friends were invited. 



An excursion was also made to " Shakespeare's Country," 

 on Saturday, October 6th, under the guidance of Mr. Eaboue, 

 who subsequently read, at a special meeting of the Section, a 

 paper entitled " Some Jottings about Shakespeare and Strat- 

 ford." 



The attendance at these excursions and special meetings 

 was large, averaging nearly fifty members and friends. In the 



