THE PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS.
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Richard Warner (b. 1711), Edward Forster (b. 1765), and Henry
Doubleday (b. 1809), have passed away,
" But what was before us we know not,
And we know not what shall succeed."
John Paul Richter has told us "there is a long and wearisome step
between admiration and imitation," but I trust that my remarks may
lead some who have as yet done nothing towards extending the
information of the Club and enlarging the boundaries of local know-
ledge, to take heart and remember that even the widow's mite was
not unacceptable.
The idea that national institutions should be, and indeed, are, built
up of local institutions, has received considerable attention in the
political world during the past year, and it is one that demands equal
attention in the realms of science. There are many directions in
which local observation is first of all required, and we should be
ready, as far as in us lies, to take up our fair share of such work, and
endeavour to help in solving the numerous problems that present
themselves to modern students of nature and of man. The British
Association has since 1885 annually appointed a committee for the
purpose of publishing a list, in an abbreviated form, of the papers
referring to subjects coming within one or other of the various
sections of the Association, published by the "Corresponding
Societies" in each year. This is found very useful for reference, but
the committee have further recommended and discussed various
subjects worthy of local scientific investigation, and I think many of
our members would profit by the excellent reports of the work of the
committee we have had from our delegate, Prof. Meldola—our first
President, and since 1885, the Secretary to this Committee. Of
the many branches of scientific investigation suggested, the following
occur to me as most likely to bear fruit in our case:—
(I.)—The investigation of the barrows and other pre-historic remains in the
county. In this connection we have already made a start; two camps have been
scientifically investigated by us with good results, but there are very many more
which should receive the Club's attention. Some Essex "barrows" and
"tumuli" have been opened, and many more disestablished, but there are no
reports of the results obtained. The Hangman's Wood Deneholes have been
thoroughly investigated, although perhaps no very certain results were arrived at;
and I hope that shortly the Club will as thoroughly investigate those curious
"red-hills" which are so abundant round our coast. The few traces of early
occupation still existing should be jealously guarded by all—the realities of past
ages should be the love and pride of the present. Worked flints and other stone
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