8 
not only for his generosity in supplying the needful funds 
for the enlargement and renovation of the Society's building, 
but also for the equally liberal devotion of his time to the 
daily superintendence of the work during its progress.” 
The resolution was seconded by Dr. Bottomley, and carried 
unanimously, with great applause. 
“Notes on the early history of the Literary and Philoso- 
phical Society,” by James Bottomley, D.Sc., B.A., F.C.S. 
As it is now about a century since the founders of this 
society determined that it should be a publishing society, 
I thought it would not be inopportune on the present occa- 
sion to give from the old minute books some notices of the 
progress and spirit of their enterprise. Since then the 
works of this society generally known by the brief title 
“ Manchester Memoirs ” have been widely distributed. Had 
it not been for the happy venture of the early members of 
this society, probably the atomic theory, the investigation 
into the strength of materials, the connection of heat and 
other forms of energy, and other valuable work would not 
have been associated with the name of the town. Prior to 
the formation of this society science in Lancashire was little 
better than when Horrox wrote, “ Illud autem maxime 
dolebam, neminem esse qui me his artibus instrueret, aut 
saltern qui conatus meos sociado studio adjuvaret; tantus 
omnes invasit languor et socordia.” The following is the 
earliest minute relative to publishing : “ Annual Meeting, 
April 28th, 1784; Ordered that the committee of papers after 
collecting materials for the volume which is to be published 
shall appoint by ballot three of their own body to under- 
take the business of arrangement together with the super- 
intendence of the press.” 
“Ordered that a proper compensation shall be made to the 
gentlemen so appointed by the Committee out of the profits 
