FORMATION OF THE SOCIETY : UNPUBLISHED RECORDS. 
29 
A number of new members were proposed and elected, and 
several valuable donations of Geological specimens, &c., were an- 
nounced ; a vote of thanks to the noble chairman terminated the 
proceedings, and the members adjourned to dine together at the 
Strafford Arms. 
The early months of 1839 were occupied by the enthusiastic 
founders of the Society in making arrangements for succeeding meet- 
ings ; and the preliminary discussion relative to the formation of the 
museum. The most devoted attention was shown to the interests of 
the Society at its frequent council meetings, more especially by the 
Rev. W. Thorp, Messrs. Embleton, Briggs, Hartop, Morton, and 
above all by the honorary secretary, Mr. Thos. Wilson. Besides the 
constant care these gentlemen gave to the details of the organization 
and management of the affairs of the Society, they were the most 
frequent contributors of papers at its quarterly meetings, and from 
their practical knowledge of the stratification of the district, and 
their experience in the economic and commercial value of the 
mining industries, they were able to contribute most valuable in- 
formation to the discussions which generally arose when papers were 
read. The influence of the Society was widely felt, and communica- 
tions were made with neighbouring counties, as well as those situated 
at a greater distance. The Geologists in Lancashire, with Mr. 
Edward W. Binney and Mr. Bo-wman at their head, formed a society 
on the Knes so successfully laid down by their Yorkshire friends. 
The Society had its centre at Manchester, but adopting the peri- 
patetic method of our Society it wisely decided to hold a certain 
proportion of its meetings in neighbouring towns. 
A Report on the state and prospects of the Society was prepared 
by the council, and presented at the meeting held at Wakefield, 
on the 7th March, 1839. From this it is gathered that "the 
Council have great pleasure in being able to congratulate the 
members on its condition and prospects ; and they entertain a 
confident hope, that if it continue to be animated by the same spirit 
that has hitherto characterized all its proceedings, it will not fail to 
accomplish the important ends for which it was established. 
To acquire a perfect knowledge of the mineral riches that lie 
