WORK OF THE BRANCHES. 
99 
In order that we might be able to give a complete account of the present 
position of the branches, circulars have been sent to all the Honorary Secretaries 
of Branches, asking them to supply information on several definite subjects. 
Unfortunately this request has not been complied with in some instances, so that 
we are for the present unable to compile the complete account of branch work, 
which we had hoped to lay before our readers. Doubtless, however, the whole 
of the Secretaries will have sent in their reports by next month, when we hope 
to give the results in Nature Notes. 
Meanwhile we may mention a most successful meeting held a few days since 
for the inauguration of the Selborne Society in the New Forest District. It 
took place at Lymington, and had the advantage of being very fully reported in 
a well-written paper, the Lymington Chronicle. We have often acknowledged 
the obligations of the Selborne Society to the press ; and in the present instance 
we find that in the newspaper in question not only an interesting account of the 
proceedings was given, but a leading article was devoted to a vigorous advocacy 
of the claims upon the public of the Selborne Society. The number of copies of 
the Lymington Chronicle which have been sent to us by various correspondents 
proves that its goodwill was thoroughly appreciated by local Selbornians. 
The following account of the meeting is abridged from that given in the 
paper mentioned above. The meeting was held in the Lymington Town 
Hall, the Hon. John Scott Montagu presiding, and there was a large and 
fashionable attendance, the chief attraction of the meeting being an illustrated 
lecture on the migration of birds by the Rev. H. D. Gordon, M.A., of 
Harting, near Petersfield. Mrs. Martelli and Miss Agnes Martelli (secretary 
to the “ Northern Heights” branch of the Selborne Society) came from London 
to attend the meeting. These ladies are of the family of the illustrious Gilbert 
White, of Selborne, Mrs. Martelli («/e Miss White) being daughter of the Rev. 
F. H. White, Abbots Ann, Andover, Hants. The Rev. H. E. Bull, of Milford, 
and his sister, Miss Gertrude Bull, of Southampton, were most energetic in 
making known the objects of the Society, and in creating the interest in its 
proceedings which resulted in the very influential meeting. The chairman ably 
advocated Selbornian principles, and said that it would afford Lord Montagu 
and himself the greatest pleasure to give every help in their power to a move- 
ment which was so admirable in its objects. Mr. Gordon’s lecture on “ The 
Longevity of Birds in connection with Migration ” was a very interesting one, 
and we much regret that we are unable to reproduce some of it in Nature 
Notes. We must refer our readers to the admirable synopsis given in the 
Lymington Chronicle. Mr. Bull, while referring with pleasure to the presence 
of the Liberal candidate, Mr. King, side by side with his Conservative opponents, 
advised those present to put their politics aside for a moment and to join together 
on the common ground of the furtherance of the objects of the Selborne Society. 
We commend Mr. Bull’s advice to his namesake, John. It is most refreshing to 
find at Selborne meetings the Liberal lamb and the Tory lion (or vice versa ) lying 
down peaceably together, while the humane principles of the Society forbid any 
lurking suspicion that this fraternising may terminate in the gentler animal being 
compelled to take an inside seat. 
Another very pleasant gathering which took place during the past month 
was that of the Lower Thames Valley Branch. This branch probably occupies 
the premier position with regard to numbers and income. It is composed of 
three divisions, Richmond, Ealing, and Hammersmith, has a royal duke as its 
president, and an imposing list of vice-presidents, headed by the name of the 
Countess Russell. It had last year more than 200 members and an income of 
over £ 70 , sending a contribution of £y to the Central Council. But perhaps 
the most hopeful sign of the Lower Thames Valley Branch is its very efficient 
iuvenile section. One of the reviewers on the staff of Nature Notes lately 
asked if the Selborne Society were established in any public or private schools, 
“and if not, why not?” That inquiring reviewer would have had his laud- 
able curiosity amply satisfied if he had been present at the last meeting of the 
Lower Thames Valley Selbornians. Upwards of eighty children, or rather young 
people, ranging from eighteen to eight, form a most enthusiastic juvenile sec- 
tion, which is the creation of Miss Annie Wallis, the principal of the flourish- 
ing Richmond High School. This lady is well known as an educationalist ; 
