Report for 1875. 



351 



u Within the last twelvemonths we have lost three original mem- 

 bers of the Society, viz., Mr. Hulbert, of Devizes ; the Rev. E, 

 Strickland, of Brixton Deverill ; and Mr. Heneage, late member 

 for Devizes. We have to deplore other losses through death, with- 

 drawal, or removal from the county, amongst these was Mr. Long, 

 our very hospitable entertainer in 1872, at Rood Ashton; but the 

 enrolment of fresh names on our books leaves our numbers very 

 nearly the same as last year. Our total now amounts to 340. 



" In' regard to finance, the fitting and furnishing of our new 

 Museum and Library have absorbed not only all the funds contri- 

 buted j for that object, but also all the available capital we had in 

 hand ; while our current income remains to cover the regular outlay 

 of the Society. Thus it will be seen that while we are not in debt,, 

 we have no balance in hand ; and (unless further contributions are 

 sent in) we must confine ourselves for the present within the limits 

 of our ordinary expenditure. 



" But if we have spent our capital, your Committee submits to 

 you that it has been well spent for the interests of the Society; and 

 that we have now a Museum and Library of no small value ; while 

 additions to both the archaeological and natural history collections, as 

 well as donations of books, are becoming far more frequent, now 

 that we have secured a permanent place of deposit. 



" Of the Magazine, two numbers have been already published this 

 year, while a third is in progress, and will be in the hands of mem- 

 bers before the expiration of 1875. This will complete the fifteenth 

 volume. 



" In regard to the General Annual Meeting ; it was felt that 

 the Session of the British Association at Bristol, and the popular 

 excursions therefrom both to North and South Wilts (viz., to 

 Bo wood and Avebury in the north, and to Salisbury and Stone- 

 henge in the south), would materially diminish our chance of a suc- 

 cessful gathering this year, and that it was wise to abandon it. 



" The Committee desires to conclude the report by again thanking 

 the contributors who have enriched the pages of the Magazine, as 

 well as all who have aided by donations of money or specimens or 



