THE COUNCIL. 
7 
for these seeds, and having found them in a more perfect 
state, has verified the conjecture. Such information as 
was thus accidentally exchanged between this sagacious 
foreigner and the Society, it will hereafter be part of the 
office of the Keeper of the Museum togiveaFid to receive. It 
is unnecessary to point out to the Meeting, in how many other 
respects this appointment promises to prove advantageous to 
the interests of an establishment, whose growing concerns 
already require more constant attention, than the spare time 
of its unsalaried officers can possibly afford. 
> 
Of the salary attached to the office, one half has been 
provided, for the ensuing year, by private subscription, 
the Society’s funds being at present inadequate to defray the 
whole expense, without too great a sacrifice of other objects. 
In what manner the deficiency is to be hereafter supplied, 
will be matter for the future consideration of the Society. 
But the most important subject to which the Council have to 
call the attention of the Meeting, is the progress which has 
been made, towards obtaining an adequate Building for the 
Museum and other objects of the Society. The site for such a 
building, which they have anxiously exerted themselves to pro¬ 
cure, is the ground adjoining to the ruins of St. Mary’s Abbey. 
The position of the Manor-shore, quiet, yet not remote, the ex¬ 
tent of unoccupied ground which it offers, and even its scenery, 
and the interest inspired by the venerable monuments of anti¬ 
quity which surround it, combine to render it the most fortunate 
situation which could be chosen for a Philosophical Institu¬ 
tion. With these views, applications were made on behalf of 
the Society, to Lord Grantham, who holds the ground by 
