THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
25
the year, extending to 296 pages, with twelve pages of title and index to volume
ii. making in all 308 pages. A part is still to come completing volume iii. From
similar reasons to those detailed in the last report the much-desired monthly issue
has not yet been resumed. The Council and Editor feel that the monthly issue
is almost a necessity for the vigorous growth of the Club, and every effort will be
made to resume such a mode of publication as soon as the general work of the
Club can be put on a more satisfactory footing. The reporting, in full, the pro-
ceedings at the Field Meetings has been a very heavy task, and the Editor fears
that he cannot continue to draw up these reports unless more assistance is given
by the Conductors of the Meetings. It is a question whether the time and labour
so expended could not be employed more usefully in the interests of the Club,
than in fulfilling what is at best but a very thankless task.
The agreement with Mr. Christy as to the publication of the "Birds of Essex"
referred to in last year's Report, has been signed, but it was found that the cost
of the book would greatly exceed the original estimate. The Council, therefore,
has agreed to pay Mr. Christy a sum of £45 in consideration of the privileges
given in the agreement. The prospectus of the book has been duly issued to the
members, and about 160 names have been received as subscribers. This number
is far too few to cover the various expenses which will be incurred in issuing the
book as one of our "Special Memoirs" under the agreement, and if more copies
are not subscribed for, a considerable loss will fall upon the Club. It is expected
that the book will be ready in March next, and it is to be hoped that before
publication a sufficient number of copies will be ordered to prevent loss to the Club.
Many additions have been made to the Library, principally of works relating
more or less exclusively to the county. The work of preparing a MS. catalogue
has been carried on by Mr. Wire, assisted by Mr. W. Greatheed, who has devoted
much time and labour to the work. The "slips" of the bound volumes have been
written and placed in the portfolios, and the serial publications and "Transactions"
and "Proceedings" of Societies will at once be taken in hand. It is hoped that
the printed catalogue may be issued during the present year. It is a matter for
regret that the members generally do not take advantage of the Library.
Mr. W, H. Dalton and the Secretary have been making collections of titles, &c.
towards the compilation of the much-wanted general "Bibliography of Essex." It
is proposed to nominate a working Committee to aid in this task, so that the
bibliography, when completed, may be published as one of the "Special Memoirs"
of the Club.
Owing to certain accountants' difficulties in making up the books, &c., the
Statement of Accounts for 1888 was not presented to. the members at the Annual
Meeting in 1889. It will be read together with that of 1889 at the present Annual
Meeting. The Council has to thank Mr. Walter Crouch for his most valuable
aid in this matter. And the thanks of the Club are again due to Mrs. Royle for
the great trouble she has taken as acting Treasurer during the past year. The
books are now all made up, and Mr. Lockyer will at once take over the active
duties of Treasurer.
On the whole the Council is satisfied with the year's work. The Officers have
had special difficulties to contend with, and the work is yearly becoming more
onerous, but when some needed reforms are made, the Council believes that the
Club has a good future before it. It has now entered upon the eleventh year of its
existence, and a few more years of hard work may result in firmly establishing the
position of the Club, financially and scientifically, and in providing the county of
Essex with a Society of which all may be proud.