ADDRESS 
Rml by the PrcMclent, the Rev. Joseph Crompton, the 
Members of the Norfolk and Norwich Naturalists’ Societi/ 
at their first Annual Meeting , held at the Norfolk and Noncieh 
Museum, March 29th, 1870. 
When I had the very pleasant honoiir of opening the proceedings 
of this Society I said 1 would accept the position of your President, 
then, rather than later, because I might be fit to rock the cradle 
though I certainly could not venture to be the guide of the Society 
when of full age. 'J'hat first year’s duty closes to day, and I think 
we may congratulate ourselves that it has been fairly successful in 
itself, and promises well for the future. Our meetings have been 
well attended, our papers good in point of number and variety, while, 
as to interest, our first “ transactions ” speak for themselves. Our 
excursions have been pleasant and profitable, and while we have to 
acknowledge the hospitality we have received from the varioas 
gentlemen and clergy who have helped to make our trips useful and 
agreeable, we have reason to believe that our visits have left 
impressions behind, not only as of a passing pleasant acquaintance, 
but of a more lasting kind. We have not only met with valuable 
specimens of natural history, but have discovered or made new 
friends, because Ave have stirred up a common interest in the 
beautiful works which are our study. 
We are working noAv with tAvo companion Societies, the Geologi- 
cal and the Meteorological. I'lie former has its OAvn times and 
Avork, but has joined us in some excursions, and I trust Avill often 
do so in future : the latter is as yet very quiet but very busy. It 
has made no public sign save the anemometer OA*er our heads, but it 
is doing its appointed Avork of gathering and registering facts 
] 0 *■ 
B 
