59 
IV. 
The Presidential Address ; Delivered by Raphael Meldola, 
F.R.A.S., F.C.S., &c., at the Annual Meeting, January 
27th, 1888. 
Ladies and Gentlemen, 
Three years have now run tlieir course since the 
foundation of the Essex Field Club, and in taking a survey 
of that interval we may fairly lay claim to a success which 
has exceeded the most sanguine expectations of those who 
brought our Society into existence. In vacating this chair, 
which by your forbearance I have had the honour of occupying 
from the period of our inauguration, I may state that my own 
connection with the Club will be amongst the most pleasant 
reminiscences of my past life. It gives me great satisfaction 
to know that you have elected as my successor a gentleman 
whose interest in your well-being will not be less warm than 
my own, and under his guidance I have no doubt you will 
continue to occupy that high position which you have won 
among the local societies of this country. 
The business matters laid before you in the Council Report 
require but little comment on my part. On retiring from 
the office of President I may, however, perhaps be permitted 
to offer a few non-official suggestions, which I tender with 
the more confidence as having been closely associated with 
the executive body of the Club from the period of our 
foundation. First with regard to our publications, I feel it 
necessary to dwell shortly upon this the most important part 
of our labours. I have on previous occasions taken it upon 
myself to urge upon the Council the necessity for giving 
publicity to the many excellent papers read at our meetings 
as soon as conveniently possible after the reading of the 
papers. If we need any convincing proof of our prosperity 
it is to be found in the list of communications the publication 
