COUNCIL FOR 185G. 
15 
gratuitous admission brings a promiscuous crowd to the 
Museum, by whom the narrow space between the collections 
is so completely filled, that no one can be allowed to remain 
long enough to examine any object which may attract his 
attention; and, as a measure of safety, it has been found 
necessary to close the staircase which leads to the skeleton-room 
and the bird-room. It is evident that a large proportion of the 
visitors come with no purpose of self-improvement, and, that 
those who do, cannot obtain any considerable benefit from 
such a hurried and incommodious view. The small sum 
proposed for admission, while it kept away those who came 
merely for a holiday stroll, would not exclude any, even in the 
humblest classes, who desired to gratify a rational curiosity. 
From the Treasurer’s Report it will appear that the income 
of the year has exceeded its expenditure; and that after the 
balance due to him, from the three preceding years, has been 
fully liquidated, there remains a considerable surplus. The 
financial position of the Society is, therefore, favourable. 
Mr. Charlesworth’s exertions to obtain new subscribers, 
alluded to in the Report of last year, have been again emi¬ 
nently successful. In the two years, ending February 1855, 
only 18 admissions took place; in the two years ending this 
day, and including the admissions at the present meeting, 
they are 75, besides two memberships renewed after resigna¬ 
tion. It must be remembered, too, that nearly all who have 
been admitted since the change in the law, pay three pounds 
during the three first years of their membership. It is 
certainly not to be expected that this rate of increase should 
be maintained ; but it may be hoped, at least, that the number 
of members may be kept up to the present amount—358. 
When it was proposed to Mr. Charlesworth to add the 
duties of Assistant Secretary to those of Keeper of the 
Museum, the salary originally suggested was £250; but the 
state of the finances at that time rendered it unadvisable to 
offer him more than £200. The Council are strongly im¬ 
pressed with the conviction, that it is of primary importance 
to the prosperity and reputation of the Society to possess the 
services of a man of scientific attainments and liberal educa- 
