206 [Proc. B.N.F.C, 



others, J. Vinycomb, R. LI. Praeger, Starkie Gardner, 

 Robert May, Rev. C. H. Waddell, etc., and the last decade 

 was embarked on at the high tide of prosperity, and as the 

 old Museum was inadequate to meet the growth of the Club, 

 the Conversazione changed its locality to the Exhibition Hall. 



In 1893 the Club lost, in a great measure, the assistance 

 of one of its best workers by Mr. Praeger being transferred to 

 Dublin, but he never forgot his old friends and association, 

 and has given many a helping hand since. Personally I 

 have found him a most generous and helping friend, always 

 ready to give his information in a manner that made it a 

 pleasure to ask for it. 



We find in the Session 1894-5 that the Geological Section 

 organised a course of lectures by Professor G. A. J. Cole, and 

 the Botanical Section was successful in the course of lectures 

 by Professor T. Johnson, of Dublin. These were steps in the 

 right direction, and I strongly urge the Club to consider now 

 if it cannot carry on the same work. I know as a fact these 

 lectures created many geologists and botanists, and therein lies 

 the value of the work. They are good things that one cannot 

 have too much of. 



We may here mention that another Club builder comes 

 well to the fore with untiring energy, great enthusiasm, 

 willing, helpful, and thoughtful consideration for others, in the 

 person of Miss Sydney M. Thompson (now Madame Christen), 

 who was not only a worker herself but the cause of work in 

 others, and when eventually her place of residence was 

 changed to Scotland, the members felt how great her labours 

 had been. She was an accomplished artist, a keen botanist, 

 and a still keener geologist, and never so happy as when sur- 

 rounded by workers whom she could help and encourage. 



On the 29th October, 1899, two minutes are recorded that 

 must not be allowed to pass unnoticed, namely, '' That the 

 Club make a record of its satisfaction for a grant given to 

 Joseph Wright from the Royal Bounty, on account of his ser- 

 vices to Science.'' That I consider is a proud record for the 

 Club, and any Club might envy the membership of Joseph 



