EXTRACTS OF PROCEEDINGS. 



XXXV 



May, which, in spite of the weather, was numerously attended. 

 The tents of the Great Show and the conservatory were illumi- 

 nated by different systems of electrical lighting, and the members 

 of the Quekett Microscopical Club were present with their micro- 

 scopes. The success of this conversazione encouraged the Council 

 to hold an evening fete on the 9th July, the principal features of 

 which were the exhibition of recent scientific inventions, including 

 Edison's loud-speaking telephone, the phonograph, microscopes, 

 with various other attractions. The gardens were brilliantly 

 illuminated by electricity, and the attendance was very 

 large. 



Her Majesty's Commissioners for the Exhibition of 1851 having 

 commenced legal proceedings in order to obtain immediate pos- 

 session of the Gardens, the Council were advised that they were 

 bound to use every legal means of defending the interests of the 

 debenture holders, whose sole security for the payment of the 

 interest on their bonds, as well as for the portion of the capital 

 for which the property of the Commissioners was conditionally 

 liable, would have disappeared with the termination of the lease 

 to the Society. These proceedings are still pending. The Council 

 cannot refrain from expressing their deep regret that the terms 

 offered by the Commissioners some three years ago were declined 

 by the debenture holders, a refusal which not only involved the 

 loss of an opportunity of obtaining repayment of a portion of 

 their capital which might not easily recur, but has compelled the 

 Society to embark in a litigation which they would gladly have 

 avoided could they have done so with justice to the debenture 

 holders and with security to themselves. The Council have 

 reason to believe that juster views of their position now prevail 

 among the debenture holders, and that if a similar offer were 

 repeated it would be accepted by them. Such a course would be 

 hailed by the Council with the greatest satisfaction. They cannot 

 but think that, whatever may be the legal rights of the debenture 

 holders, strictly construed, their moral claim for consideration and 

 even generous treatment by the Commissioners, on whose property 

 their money was expended for objects warmly fostered by them 

 and their late illustrious President, is very strong ; while the ami- 



