PRESIDENT’S address. 
653 
J. E. Smith hired apartments at Paradise Row, Chelsea, 
and the Linnean collections were conveyed thither as soon as 
they were landed in London in October, 1784. During the 
following winter, Sir Joseph Banks and Mr. Solander helped 
him to unpack and arrange his purchase, and together they 
examined the herbarium. Lady Smith says that “ the love of 
botany was the charm of his existence.” 6 
Let us ever remember with pride that the possessions of 
Linnaeus were brought to England by a Norwich man, and 
purchased with Norwich money. 
In May, 1785, Smith was admitted a Fellow of the Royal 
Society, of which Sir Joseph Banks was then President. In 
June, 1786, having settled his treasures, he began a European 
tour, one of his objects being to take the degree of M.D. at 
Ley den. fJ 
I cannot better describe the foundation of the Linnean 
Society .than by quoting Dr. Jackson: — “Returning in the 
autumn of 1787 from a tour abroad, Smith took counsel with 
his friends, and resolved to establish a society under the name 
of the great Swedish naturalist. There was already a small 
society in London, known as 1 The Natural History Society,’ 
which did not publish anything, and the endeavour of Smith 
and those who shared his views was to set on foot an association 
with wider aims. A meeting was called for 26th February, 
1788, and seven persons attended the summons at the Marl- 
borough Coffee House, Great Marlborough Street. Smith, the 
youngest of the company, was chosen President, and delivered 
a discourse on the ‘ Rise and Progress of Natural History.’ 
The Rev. Dr. Goodenough, afterwards Bishop of Carlisle, was 
the first Treasurer, and Thomas Marsham was the first Secre- 
tary. The following month, 18th March, the Foundation- Roll 
of the Society was made up with 20 Fellows, 3 Honorary 
Members, 39 Foreign Members, and 11 Associates.” 1J Local 
names among these were: — Fellows: James Crowe, Robert 
Stone, and T. J. Woodward. Associates: John Pitchford 
(F.L.S., 1797), the Rev. Charles Sutton, Lilly Wigg, and the 
Rev. William Kirby. 1 '* 
