348 
CHAPTER XV. 
PROCEEDINGS, 1871 — 1877, 
After the death of the assistant secretary, Mr. Denny, in 1870, 
it became necessary to consider the position of the Society and its 
future prospects, and at a meeting held in July, 1871, at Leeds, when 
Mr. Thomas Wilson occupied the chair, a resolution was passed that 
the chairman, Messrs. W. Sykes Ward, T. W. Tew, T. W. Embleton, 
E. Filliter, Richard Reynolds, and L. C. Miall, with power to add to 
their number, be requested to prepare a report on the position and 
prospects of the Society, with suggestions for increasing its numbers 
and efficiency. Subsequent to the conclusion of the meeting the 
following letter was addressed to Mr. Embleton by Mr. Thomas 
Wilson, who continued to exhibit that interest in, and care for, the 
Society wdiich had characterized him when occupying the position of 
Honorary Secretary during its earliest years. 
Mr. Wilson to Mr. Embleton. 
3, Hilary Place, Leeds, 
My Dear Sir, mh July, 1871. 
The death of Mr. Denny has caused us to look into the position 
of the Geological and Polytechnic Society, and we find it somewhat 
in debt, and with an income not adequate to its present wants. 
Our new curator, Mr. Miall, is wishful to work it with spirit, if 
we can manage to get such a list of subscribers as will pay its way. 
This ought not to be difficult, as £150 a year will cover all our 
expenses, that is about 230 members, towards which we have about 
100, and could easily increase the number in Leeds and Bradford. 
We had a meeting on Wednesday last, and appointed a small 
committee to examine into the state of the Society, and to advise as 
to its future. We ventured to put your man upon it, and I hope 
you will allow it to remain. If you could attend one or two meetings 
it is all we need ask from you. We will prepare a report, both as to 
the present state and the future working of the Society, and an hour 
