Jan., 1890. 
PHOTOGRAPHIC SURVEY OF WARWICKSHIRE. 
9 
“ Much useful local work may be done by a photographic 
society. By securing accurate representations of old buildings 
we can furnish a record for posterity, whose accuracy cannot 
be disputed, and whose interest in the future will be great. 
But I would not only photograph the old buildings—I would 
secure on rapid plates impressions of the daily appearance 
of our streets, of the principal lines of thoroughfare, and of 
the busy crowds by which they are traversed. Even in the 
half century which has elapsed since the discovery of photo¬ 
graphy, if such pictures could have been secured of Birming¬ 
ham at intervals of every five or ten years, what an interest 
they would have for us to-day ! We exclaim at the pleasure 
it would give us if we could see photographs of Stratford-on- 
Avon as it was when Shakespeare lived there ; but there will 
come a time when a similar desire will be expressed to see 
England as it was in 1885 ; and, fortunately, by the aid of 
photography, it will be possible for such a desire to be 
gratified.” 
Since the paper from which the above quotations are 
made was written, I have more than once spoken at meetings 
of the Birmingham Photographic Society, urging that it was 
the duty of the Society to undertake local work, such as a 
photographic survey of the district surrounding its head 
quarters; and during the present year I have urged 
that this district should be the county of Warwickshire. 
A few weeks ago a deputation from this Society went 
to Sutton Coldfield, there to address the local scientific 
society known as the Yesey Club. There again I ventured 
to air my idea ; and it was very warmly taken up by the 
meeting, and especially by the vice-president of the club 
(J. B. Stone, Esq., J.P., F.L.S., F.G.S.), who has since become 
the president of the Birmingham Photographic Society. 
Encouraged by his support, the following memorial was pre¬ 
sented to the Council of the Society :— 
“ That the Council be requested to call a special general 
meeting to consider the feasibility of a photographic survey of 
Warwickshire, the object being to secure an accurate and 
unbiassed record of the scenery, monuments, life, natural 
history facts, &c., of our county as they now exist.” 
This was signed by a large number of members, and was laid 
before the Council of the Society ; and it is for its consider¬ 
ation that this meeting has been called. Invitations have 
been issued to all the photographic, literary, artistic, and scien¬ 
tific societies in the county, and we are much pleased to 
see their representatives here to-night. 
