240 SPRING MEETING. 



I am sure you will be all pleased to learn that the Eoyal 

 Institution of Cornwall, now in the 84th year of its existence, is 

 still full of activity and carrying out with renewed energy the 

 work designed for it by its early founders. The Society is fortu- 

 nate in possessing a series of portraits of those gentlemen who 

 have tilled the presidential chair, from the foundation of the 

 Society in 1818 to the present time. Amongst them are many 

 distinguished and well-known gentlemen in science, literature 

 and art. We had as our first president Lord Exmouth whose 

 portrait, as here seen, represents him in command of the fleet off 

 Algiers in 1816. He was succeeded by Sir Charles Lemon, 

 William Mansell Tweedy, Dr. Barham, Dr. Jago, Edwin Dunkin^ 

 and many other distinguished Cornish worthies. 



The Society is fortunate in having secured as vice-patron 

 H.E.H. the Prince of Wales, who has also graciously consented 

 to continue the annual grant of £20 to the funds of the Institu- 

 tion. The Council report with much regret the loss by death of 

 Mr. R. Lean, an old and valued member. The number of sub- 

 scribers is well maintained, the losses by death and removal being 

 fully compensated by the addition of new members. 



The Museum is still an object of great attraction, being 

 visited yearly by increased numbers. Many valuable additions 

 have been again made to its collections. Mr. C. E. Cardew of 

 Insein, Lower Burmah, a member of an old and distinguished 

 Cornish family, and one who has always shown great interest in 

 our Society, has sent us an interesting series of prehistoric stone 

 implements collected by him in different parts of India. A 

 collection of valuable butterflies and moths has been presented 

 by Mr. J. D. Enys, one of the most generous and munificent 

 donors to the Museum and Library. It includes many rare species 

 and was formed chiefly in New Zealand. Impressions of seals of 

 several Cornish boroughs have also been obtained and sent us 

 through the instrumentality of Mr. Enys. To Mr. W. Williams 

 of Western Australia, we are indebted for a collection of gold ores 

 from the Nil Desperandum Mine, at Menzies, in the North Cool- 

 gardie Goldfield. The specimens which were previously on 

 exhibition at the Glasgow International Exhibition will greatly 

 strengthen the gold section of our valuable ^mineral collections. 

 Interesting specimens of Cornish mineral l)seudomorphs have 



