Report to the General Meeting. 
xlv 
be left perfectly free, the Council have appointed a fresh 
Finance Committee, who will be charged with such reorganiza- 
tion of the accounts as may be deemed necessary. 
The Council, however, have much pleasure in being able to 
report that, notwithstanding the funds having sustained a dimi- 
nution by the large amount due from the late Secretary, not only 
have they found it unnecessary to touch the funded capital of the 
Society, but that its financial position is unusually satisfactory, 
the balance at the bankers' on the 7th inst. being 1711/,, whilst 
the claims on the Society consist only of the ordinary current 
expenses. 
After the suspension of Mr. Hudson, and again after his dis- 
missal, and at the request of the Council, Mr. Brandreth Gibbs 
consented to undertake the office of Honorary Acting Secretary 
pro tern., for which valuable assistance the Council desire to offer 
to him their most grateful acknowledgments. 
The Council have come to the resolution of requiring the new 
Secretary to the Society to find approved security to the amount 
of 1000/. ; they further require that he shall pay all amounts 
received by him on account of the Society in to the bankers forth- 
with ; and they have laid down rules which, they trust, will render 
impossible a recurrence of any irregularity in the Society's 
business. 
The Council have now elected Mr. Henry Hall Dare as 
Secretary, at a salary of 400/. per annum, Avith residence, fire, 
and lighting ; and they have every reason to hope, from the 
testimonials they have received, that he will discharge the duties 
of the office to the satisfaction of the Council and the Members 
at large. 
It has also been determined to appoint a professional account- 
ant, constantly to examine the Society accounts, and report any 
irregularity to the Finance Committee, and also to suggest any 
improvements which may from time to time appear to be needed 
in the system of keeping the books. 
The Council have determined to appoint a literary and scientific 
