12 



We have in Belfast many gentlemen whose scientific 

 attainments reflect honour on our town, and I do hope that 

 some of these gentlemen may be induced to countenance such 

 a Club as your correspondent has sketched. Under their 

 guidance it would be a great success and would impart a last- 

 ing stimulus in our locality to pursuits whose value cannot 

 be over estimated. 



I happen to know that several other parties with whom 

 I am acquainted are anxious for the establishment of some 

 organisation to conduct scientific excursions. 



I am, Your Obedient Servant, 



S.A.S'. 



Belfast, January 29th, 1863. 



"W.T.C.," whose letter originated the correspon- 

 dence, got into communication with the three friends 

 through the good offices of the editor of the "Whig," 

 and wrote to them personally, inviting them to his 

 house to see what could be done. He turned out to be 

 W. T. Chew, a young business-man who was interested 

 in the entomology of the district. 



The correspondence had appeared at an opportune 

 time, as the ground had been prepared by Tate, who, 

 on his return from London, took up the project with 

 enthusiasm. Fortunately, Tate, previous to coming to 

 Belfast, had had some experience of Field Clubs in 

 England. He drafted a document for signature by 

 persons who were willing to guarantee the expenses 

 necessary "to form a Society to be called the 'Belfast 

 Naturalists' Field Club/ for the practical study of 

 Natural History in all its branches, by holding at least 

 six field meetings in the year, and fortnightly (or 

 otherwise) evening meetings for the reading of papers 

 by members; as far as possible such papers to treat 

 of the Natural History and Archeology of the district." 



This document, in fact, provided a draft constitu- 

 tion for the proposed Club, and our present Constitution 

 merely amplifies it. It was signed by a considerable 

 number of Tate's pupils at the Science Classes and by 

 others interested— in all, fifty-three men and a few 

 ladies. 



It was considered that there was sufficient support 

 to warrant the calling of a public meeting, which was 

 held in the Museum Buildings, on 6th March. 

 At this meeting Mr. George C. Hyndman pre- 

 sided and Mr. Tate acted as secretary. Rules were 

 formulated along the lines suggested by the document 



