ANNUAL MEETING. \) 



The Yen. R. Thornton, D.D. (Archdeacon of Middlesex). — I 

 have the pleasure of bringing forward a motion to which I am 

 sure you will consent — viz., that this Report be received. 



lb is a most satisfactory Report — more so perhaps than in the 

 present state of things we could have looked for. It seems that 

 there is no very considerable balance on the wrong side, which is 

 always satisfactory, especially at the present time, when balances, 

 I find, have a tendency to be much on the wrong side. 



I desire to move that this Report be received. 



I wish also to move that the thanks of the members of the 

 Institute be presented to the Council, the Hon. Officers and 

 Auditors for their efficient conduct of the business of Institute 

 during the past year. What such an Institute would be without 

 such a Council as it possesses I do not know. Probably it would 

 be removed from the face of the earth ! But there is one 

 member of the Council who I think has had more influence, 

 perhaps, than any in advancing the interests of the Institute, viz., 

 onr Hon. Secretary. 



We all, I am sure, greatly regret that his state of health is 

 such as to prevent his attending and taking part with us at this 

 meeting, and I sincerely hope his health will be restored, and that 

 he may be permitted once more to engage in those labours con- 

 nected with the Institute which have characterised him so long. 



Captain Heath. — I beg to second that. 



The resolution was then put to the meeting and carried. 



The President. — I will now ask Professor Hull to be so good as 

 to deliver the address which he has kindly prepared as the Annual 

 Address for the Institute. It is a subject of very great interest, 

 viz., " On our Coal Reserves at the Close of the Nineteenth 

 Century." (Applause.) 



Professor Hull, LL.D., F.R.S., then read his address as 

 follows : — 



