35
THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
Ordinary Meeting, Saturday, February 25th, 1888.
The Eighty-sixth Ordinary Meeting was held in the Public Hall, Loughton,
at seven o'clock, Mr. E. A. Fitch, President, in the chair.
At the commencement of the proceedings Mr. Fitch said : "I cannot take the
chair for the first time without saying a word or two to thank you for the great
honour you have conferred upon me by electing me to the Presidency of the Club.
I must say I had some hesitation in accepting so responsible an office, and I am well
aware that there are other members who would have filled the post with advantage to
the Club, but there are none, I venture to think, who take a more keen interest in its
welfare and progress. I remember Sir John Lubbock, in an anniversary address
to the Linnean Society, telling a story of one of the mediaeval Popes, who much to
the wonder of his friends, attained that highest position in the Roman Catholic
Church. One of them once candidly expressed his surprise to him, and the Pope
accounted for his success by saying that he had acted on three rules throughout
life :—He never asked for anything, he never refused anything that was offered him,
and in whatever office he was placed, he always endeavoured to do his best. The
Pope's diligence gave general satisfaction, and I can only hope that I may be
equally fortunate ; but from the way Mr. Holmes introduced my name to you,
and the kind manner in which I am referred to in the report of the Council
for last year, I trust that members will not expect too much; doubtless, there will
be many shortcomings ; but in recalling any deficiencies, my friends must give me
credit for having, like the Pope, at least tried to do my best.
"The Essex Naturalist is the record of work done by the Club and its
members, and it was very justly pointed out to you at our last meeting that it is in
the power of almost everyone to send occasional notes in elucidation of the natural
history of the County to our Editor for publication. The vigilance and activity of
our members, and the existence of our journal, should ensure that nothing coming
within the scope of the Club escapes examination and due record. I trust that
the duty attaching to almost every member of constituting himself or herself a
recorder to the Club may not be overlooked, and that the time may not be far
distant when the Essex Naturalist will not only be valuable to scientific workers,
but interesting also to agriculturists and all persons commercially engaged in
developing the natural productions of Essex, to sportsmen, fishermen, and Essex
dwelling people, and that information may be freely imparted for the benefit of all.
Opportunities for observation in many directions are constantly occurring, which
seldom repeat themselves, and they should not be neglected. Notes of the occurrence
of uncommon birds and animals from sportsmen have not yet been received. Our
farmers have not yet contributed information bearing on the geology and botany of
their lands nor on the pre-historic remains which exist there or which may from time
to time be unearthed ; our gardeners have uttered no complaints of their insect
foes ; our fishermen and coast residents do not appear to know that records and
observations on marine zoology (a vast and most fruitful subject) are much wanted ;
our meteorologists have told us nothing about the weather; and we have received
a courteous protest from our esteemed hon. member, Mr. Whittaker, complaining
that his colleagues have been remiss in not calling the attention of specialists to the
exposure of geological sections, etc., occurring during the progress of new railways,
sewers, or other works, so that the information obtainable therefrom might be at
once recorded. I trust that the number and watchfulness of our comparatively