7 



promise and encouragement to both young and old enquirers after 

 truth. 



Another thought should give us hope and determination. The 

 example of the untiring and valuable work done in our Association, 

 by the late Mr. Garner especially, and many others whose record 

 is to be found in our annual reports. Amongst others of our present 

 time T shall mention only four out of a goodly com{)any of zealous 

 workers : — Drs. Arlidge and McAldowie, our former Presidents, 

 who have so distinguished themselves by their thoughtful and 

 learned contributions to our Annals ; Mr. Lynam, whose portrait 

 ought to be painted with a drawn sword in his hand, keeping ofi 

 the restoring vandals from our ancient cam})s and beautful medigeval 

 architecture, all traces of which he so jealously guards, in order that 

 we may enjoy what I call the visible and veritable history of our 

 County unmarred by the falsifying process so happily expressed by 

 the Germans " Kestaurirt ist ruinirt." 



Lastly, no greater encouragement can be given to the continuance 

 of our collective work than in the splendid constancy and devotion 

 given ibr nearly thirty years by our excellent Secretary, the main- 

 spring of our success and work. He has the happy knack of 

 welding together all sorts and conditions of men and women into 

 a joyous and harmonious whole, until we know nothing of '' classes 

 and masses,'" and I am sure I shall be expressing the opinions of 

 every member of our (Jlub and Association, that his name will live 

 in the annals of the County long after many of its principal actors 

 are forgotten. To him our earnest and grateful thanks are due, 

 and I have long wished for an unbidden opportunity of expressing 

 my convictions in this respect. 



With such associationship as I have mentioned, permit me to 

 advocate a devoted and earnest determination of each and every 

 member, particularly the young, to try to be present at each 

 Excursion, and if possible to beat past records in field-work and 

 observation. 



There is much to do that is new ; our sectional work needs 

 strengthening. 1 think the Geological Section, if I may say so, 

 carried off the palm last year. I wish the members of other Sections 

 could catch the enthusiasm which inspired us last year in tracking 

 a volcanic dyke mostly hidden, from Trentham to Swinnerton, 

 where we may say we fell literally and really into a trap, well a 

 trap-pit, in the shape of a huge quarry of upheaved larva, and 

 returned laden with ashes, and information healthily sought. 



