14
THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
Association more conclusively justify its right to exist, and prove that it really
supplies a want, than by passing safely through this necessary disease of its youth ;
and I think it may be safely asserted that the Essex Field Club has already done
so. I have great pleasure in congratulating you, at the conclusion of the three
years of office as President with which you have honoured me, on your selection
as my successor of our eminent and esteemed member Mr. Fitch, whose special
fitness for the post is too well known to all here present to need any words of
mine. I am extremely glad to feel that as a Vice-President I shall still retain an
official connection with the Essex Field Club, though I think I can truthfully
assert that simply as a private member I should always have taken the greatest
interest in its development and prosperity.
Prof. Meldola said that Mr. Holmes had added one more to the numerous
obligations under which he had laid the Club during his three years' Presidency,
by the admirable address to which they had all listened with pleasure and profit.
It was not customary to enter upon any discussion of an address of that kind ; it
was rather their duty and pleasure to offer to their retiring President a most
cordial vote of thanks, not only for the address, but also for the very large
amount of energy and enthusiasm which Mr. Holmes had thrown into his three
years' occupancy of office. Those who, as members of the Council, were in a
sense behind the scenes, knew that not only had Mr. Holmes devoted a large
amount of time to the affairs of the Club, but he had also, in the most generous
manner, often contributed a very considerable amount of money to help the
society out of temporary difficulties. Indeed he might say that seldom was a
society such as theirs fortunate enough to have as President a man who com-
bined the characteristics of a sound scientific observer and man of business,
with the ready liberality of Mr. Holmes. In bidding Mr. Holmes farewell in
his Presidential capacity, with the warmest thanks for his many efforts on their
behalf, the members would hope to see his face at the meetings as one of the
Vice-Presidents as frequently as during the period of office now ended.
The vote of thanks was warmly seconded by Mr. E. A. Fitch, and carried by
acclamation.
Mr. Holmes thanked the members for their expressions towards himself, and
assured them that he should continue to take the same interest in the Club that he
had hitherto done.
On the proposal of Mr. E. A. Fitch, Mr. Varley, and Mr. W. White, votes
of thanks were passed to the Treasurer, Secretary, Assistant-Secretary, and
Librarian for their attention to the work of the Society during the past year.
Mr. Cole and Mr. Wire acknowledged the compliment, and the meeting concluded
with the usual conversazione.
[At the above meeting the Secretary presented the account of the "Tea Fund"
for the past year. The establishment of this fund was a purely voluntary arrange-
ment, whereby refreshments and the necessary attendance were provided at the
close of the Ordinary Meetings for the benefit of the members and their
friends, and consequently the cost cannot be borne by the general funds of the
Club. The statement of account showed that the receipts at the meetings had
amounted to £3 11s. 6d., and the payments (including an adverse balance of
£2 6s. 6d. from 1886) to £6 10s. yd., showing an excess of expenses over
receipts of about £3. This Mr Holmes had very kindly adjusted by a special
donation of £3. Hope was expressed that the members attending the meetings
would more generally contribute to the fund, so that the receipts might at least
always equal the payments, and possibly provide a balance to be spent upon
some additional service for the table.]