Foreword. 5 
no longer doubtful economy. The rents formerly derived from the Pilot Office 
and Post Office were lost by the abolition of the former and by the removal of the 
latter institution to another building. Premises specially constructed at the 
Society's expense to accommodate these institutions are not readily rented for 
ordinary business purposes and the Society has suffered accordingly. Perhaps 
it received somewhat summary treatment and very scanty recognition of its 
services to the community but it has no desire to linger upon its grievances. 
It has also suffered from the loss of the personal interest and supervision which 
the independent planter and merchant exercised in its affairs in pre-company 
days. Joint stock companies are not affected by sentiment or by any other 
considerations than those directly relating to the particular objects for which 
they have been incorporated. In the words of a learned judge, “* They have 
neither a body to be kicked nor a soul to be damned.” However inevitable on 
economic grounds, the virtual disappearance of the body of residential pro- 
prietors who formerly maintained the dignity and prestige of this colony in 
public life must be a matter for regret to all classes. It is hardly to be wondered 
at that the establishment of the Agricultural Board and the Chamber of Commerce 
which carry out what were formerly the executive functions of the Society’s 
committees should furnish some few at least of their successors with an excuse for 
not lending active support to the parent organization. It is also little matter of 
surprise that the opening of the Carnegie Free Library should have proved too 
great a temptation to many of our less wealthy subscribers and even to some 
whose absence of civic spirit was the only cause of secession or abstention. 
Notwithstanding these losses many forward movements were made during 
the past year and the Society rose with renewed life to accomplish the objects of 
its incorporation. The new members, associates and lady subscribers reached the 
unprecedented number of 113 and we close the year with 461 on our books. This 
number we hope to increase considerably in the coming twelvemonth besides 
receiving many repentant seceders once more into our ranks. A series of evening 
lantern lectures was again inaugurated, the Hon. Sir T. Crossley Rayner address- 
ing an overflowing audience on ‘‘ West Africa ” with His Excellency Sir Frederic 
Hodgson in the chair and the President of Queen’s College (T. A. Pope, M.A.) 
following on “Egypt and India” with His Honour the Chief Justice, Sir Henry A. 
Bovell, presiding. The learned Chief Justice introduced the lecturer in a graceful 
historical address. To give greater emphasis to the social side of the Society a 
most successful conversazione was held, the Museum being lighted for the 
occasion. This will be repeated on the inauguration of each new President and 
on other suitable occasions. Private benefactors enabled a permanent 
installation for electric lighting to be placed in the Museum which it is proposed 
to utilize for popular evening demonstrations on various subjects, and in many 
other ways internal and external improvements have been effected. 
The proposal to revive Timehri received a prompt and practical response 
in the shape of sufficient subscriptions and promises of articles. It will strike 
with surprise many people affected with the inexplicable pessimism of the 
colony to learn that every promise of an article has been faithfully redeemed. 
Amongst those who have helped us we are glad to specially mention the names of 
Mr. J. J. Quelch, formerly Curator of the Museum, and long and honourably asso- 
