208 Proceedings, &c., for 1872. 



On the other hand, your Council regrets to observe that though the 

 estimate made last year of the probable income from rent of the 

 hall, entrance fees, and subscriptions due for previous years, was 

 under the sum actually realised ; the amount of ordinary subscrip- 

 tions paid has fallen short considerably. There is, in fact, due to 

 the Society a sum of =£112 7s. for sundry subscriptions from 1868 

 to date. It is to be hoped that this amount will be paid up at once. 

 It was upon the faith of the subscription list that the debentures 

 were issued, and considerable debts incurred ; and it is obviously a 

 matter of vital importance that it should be known who are to be 

 counted upon as bond fide members of the Society, and who are not. 

 Your Council therefore trusts that the indebted members wiU 

 recognise the propriety of promptly paying their arrears, and also of 

 formally intimating their wishes as to the maintenance of their 

 connexion with the Society. The Secretary has been desired to 

 write to them accordingly, and invite replies. 



"Thirteen new members have joined the Society during the session, 

 two more have been balloted for this evening, and two more have 

 been duly nominated. The members' list now comprises 1 30 names. 

 Of these, eight are honorary and twenty-seven life members ; the 

 remainder are twelve country and eighty-three yearly subscribers, 

 who should produce an income of £186 18s. per annum ; £111 6s. 

 is, however, all that has been received for 1871, the balance of the 

 £139 13s. shown in the balance-sheet being arrears for previous 

 years, and three subscriptions for the current year. There is £112 

 7s. now due for previous years, as far back as 1868. 



" In its estimate of ways and means for the ensuing session, your' 

 Council has taken credit for no more than sixty full yearly sub- 

 scriptions, though certainly entitled to reckon on eighty-nine. A 

 discouraging experience may have led your Council to do an 

 injustice to the members, and it is to be hoped that the appeal now 

 made to them may result in the subscription representing more 

 accurately the financial position of the Society. In the estimate of 

 expenditure for the current year your Council has included the 

 item £106 lis. 6d. due to Messrs. Stillwell and Knight since 1868. 

 It will, of course, be for the incoming Council to decide whether it 

 will adopt the programme therein set forth. The other items, being 

 nearly a counterpart of the expenses of the past year, will bear witness 

 to the strict economy which your Council has desired to practise. 

 The Librarian has periodically acknowledged the receipt of the pub- 

 lications received for exchange from all parts of the world, and 

 testifies to the value as well as the extent of the growing library. 

 The number of publications received during the year is 210." 



The Treasurer's balance-sheet stands as follows : 



