THE COUNCIL 
i 
In following out the Resolution of the last Annual Meeting 
relative to the lease of the Manor Shore, the Council has 
found on the part of the Government every desire to forward 
the objects of the Society, as far as the law allows ; but new 
circumstances have arisen, which rendered it inexpedient to 
adopt a definitive arrangement without once more appealing 
to the general body of the Society. It appears, after full con¬ 
sideration, and especially after examination of the stipulations 
in the draft of the lease, that it will be more advantageous 
to the Society to effect the negociation for obtaining possession 
of the remainder of the Manor Shore by purchase rather 
than by lease. A real possession of the ground, the power 
to turn it to useful purposes in harmony with the situation 
and with the objects of the Institution, is not to be had by 
lease from the crown, either for 33 or 99 years ; the former 
is too short a tenure, the latter encumbered with restrictions 
directly at variance with the clearest objects of the Society. 
Regarded, moreover, as a question of profitable investment of 
money, the Council is of opinion that the purchase of more 
than five acres of ground, with houses, &c. adjoining the Ruin 
and the Museum Garden, for <F2,500. is more advantageous 
than a lease for 99 years at £^0. per annum, with stipulations 
to erect permanent edifices of the value of d?2,500. * 
But one thing remains to be presented to the Meeting be¬ 
fore proceeding to consider this important question—the State 
of the Society’s Finances. 
* The Council was authorized by the Annual Meeting to purchase 
the ground. 
