FROM THE COUNCIL CHAMBER. 
To the Members and Friends of the Burnley Literary and Philo- 
sophical Society. — After much consideration the Committee beg to make an 
appeal to the members and friends of the Society on behalf of the funds, and 
in doing so would venture to point out that the time has now arrived when 
an effort should be made to clear off all the liabilities of the Society. The 
sum needed is about ;^i2o, and the raising of this sum would enable the Com- 
mittee not only to place the Society on a sound financial basis, but also to 
classify, arrange and catalogue the collection which has been gathered together. 
It will be remembered that the Society held its earlier meetings in Mr. 
Joseph Thornton’s Restaurant, Bridge Street. Afterwards a few meetings 
were held in Mr. Berry’s rooms, St. James’s Row. 'I’hen a room was taken 
near Scar House, upon which a considerable amount was spent before a 
meeting could be held there. Even then it was not waterproof, and in little time 
was added to this disadvantage, an attack of dryrot, which affected the floor and 
other woodwork, and led to more expenditure. Finally Scar House itself 
was taken, and here again considerable expense was incurred in adapting it 
for the Society’s meetings and in furnishing and making a rough and ready 
arrangement for the care and display of our geological and other specimens. 
In this direction much yet remains to be done, and the Committee feel that 
this work must be proceeded with in order that the collection may be made 
really useful to all members and friends who are interested in the scientific 
or historical aspects of our own district. The Committee therefore confidently 
appeal then to all members and friends to assist them in raising the necessary 
funds to place the society in such a position as will enable it to be really and 
constantly useful to all who are interested in literature or science — whether 
they be members or not. 
Again it has to be remembered that the necessary ordinary yearly- 
expenditure amounts to about ^^50, and this has to be raised before anything 
can be done towards the clearing off of those liabilities which were incurred 
by furnishing and alterations. This is not the place to speak of the generous 
help which the members have in the past extended towards the Society. That 
is a chapter in itself, and can be spoken of afterwards. At present there is 
pressing need to make a beginning towards raising this sum of ^120. Some 
subscriptions have already been paid towards what is required, and the Com- 
mittee will be glad to jeceive sums — however small — for the same object. 
Payment need not beAnade all at once or immediately. Proiffises to pay 
during the year 1900 will be most welcome, and in the meantime a collector 
has been appointed who will collect outstanding subscriptions and donations, 
or they may be paid to the Hon. Sec. at the rooms any evening. The collector 
for the Society is Mr. W. Evans, Outwood Grove, Todmorden Road. 
Subscriptions towards fund of 20 Joseph Thornton ^4 5s.; 
John Allen ;,C2 2s; William Aspinall 10/-; Lawrence Heap 10/-; Matthew 
Sharpe 10/-; J. W. Eastwood 10/-; Albert Holden 10/-; W. B. Potter 5/-; 
Peter Pollard 5/-; William Parker 5/-; J. C. Skipper 2/6; Philip Green 2/6; 
F. Butterfield 2/6. 
TEA-PARTY. — On Saturday next Mr. John Dean will provide lea 
for members at 5 o’clock in the Society’s rooms. Tickets i/-each. Proceeds for 
the funds of the Society. Concert at 7-30. 
The Committee and members heard with deep regret of the death of 
Mr. Stocks Austerberry, one of our earliest members, and one endeared to us 
by his talents and goodness. The Society was represented at the funeral by 
the Secretary and several members, and a wreath was also sent. 'I'he sympathy 
of all will be extended to Mrs. Austerberry and family in the loss which they 
have sustained, and in which we to a certain extent share. 
Last Saturday, Messrs. Heap, C. R. Ritchings, S. Simpson, and H. 
C’harles, of our own Society, and Messrs, fkistwood and Harper, of the 
Accrington Naturalists’ Society, gave us an evening with the Microscope, 
which was much appreciated l)y those who attended. There is much room 
in Burnley for Micro.scopic work, and it is to be hoped that this branch 
of work will be continued by our members. 
In future there will be a Meeting in the large room each Saturday 
evening ; members are strongly invited to attend. 
WEDNESDAY, EEB. 7th. — The Committee also beg to draw 
the Members’ attenUt)rt:;JTJ 7 dj^''-'’t Lectures and Papers during I'Tbruary, 
tin: first of whiclv^i^ Burnley 
Board of 
litist. ^UilDl)resent.” 
■< 7 PTR lono 
