\2 
REPORT. 
fulfil many of its objects with very limited funds, it is obvious 
that all its efficiency must be lost, if its finances should ever 
fall short of allowing it to do justice to that liberality. 
During the past year, the donations received have been dis¬ 
posed of, indeed, without disorder and with very little 
expense ; but this has been effected only by economical con¬ 
trivances, which cannot long continue to avail • and the Meet¬ 
ing must be reminded that half the salary of the Keeper of 
the Museum has been paid by private subscription. By the 
same method it will be again defrayed for the present year; 
but the renewal of the subscription cannot be counted upon 
for a longer period. The Meeting will also see, on reference 
to the Treasurer’s report, that the income of the last year 
only rose to a level with the necessary expenses, by including 
the sums paid on admission by nine new members. It is 
therefore apparent that the Society cannot maintain itself in 
its present state of efficiency, without either a considerable 
addition to its numbers, or some advance of its subscriptions. 
The Council are fully aware that no greater error can be 
committed, in an association for the advancement of know¬ 
ledge, than to fix its terras too high; and they have been 
unwilling to propose any advance, while it remains uncertain 
what the number of members may ultimately be. In the 
mean time, they would venture to suggest to all who feel an 
interest in the Society, that one of the most important methods 
by which they can befriend it, is to exert their personal 
influence in enlarging the list of its subscribers. 
