THE ESSEX FIELD CLUB.
71
Other Members of Council.—John Avery; Gen. B. R. Branfill, J.P.,
C.C. ; Miller Christy, F.L.S. ; Bryan Corcoran ; L. Cranmer-Byng ; George
Day, F.R.M.S.; Edmund Durrant; F.W.Elliott; A.T.Furbank; F. Carruthers
Gould ; Andrew Johnston, Chm. C.C, J.P., &c. ; Rev. W. C. Howell, M.A. ;
Rev. W. S. Lach-Szyrma, M.A.; Thomas J. Mann; Charles Oldham; J. H.
Porter ; J. C. Shenstone, F.R.M.S. ; J. C. Thresh, D.Sc., M.B. ; F. H. Varley,
F.R.A.S. ; T. Hay Wilson ; Rev. W. L. Wilson.
Hon. Treasurer.—Alfred Lockyer.
Hon. Secretary and Editor.—William Cole, F.E.S.; Assistant Hon.
Secretary.—B. G. Cole
Hon. Librarian.—A. P. Wire.]
The Secretary read a letter from Dr. Laver, in which he apologized for his
inability to attend that evening, in consequence of professional engagements.
Dr. Laver added : " I esteem very highly the compliment the Club has paid me
in choosing me as President, and I will try to keep up during my year of office
the high character the society has obtained."
Mr. Sworder proposed a vote of thanks to the officers and auditors, which
was carried unanimously.
The Secretary presented the accounts of the 'Tea Fund" for 1891. The
receipts had been £l 16s. 10d., and the expenditure £2 2s. 5d.
Mr. Fitch then delivered an Addres:., of which the following is an abstract :—
Presidential Address, delivered at the 12TH Annual Meeting.
By Edward A. Fitch, F.L.S., &c.
[Abstract.]
Mr. Fitch commenced by observing that, although it was usual in most Societies
of a like nature with their own for the President to deliver an address on some
matter of scientific interest, he was not at all sure that such a course was the best
that could be followed. He rather inclined to the opinion that the retiring
Presidents could most usefully employ the occasions of the Annual Meetings in
reviewing the events of the past sessions, and in suggesting lines of work for the
future.
One of the most important matters at present engaging the attention of the
Club was the proposal to establish an Essex Local Museum. The question had
been fully considered at the last Annual Meeting, and an admirable scheme had
been agreed upon. As the result of the appeal for funds issued by the Joint
Committee of the Essex Field Club and the Chelmsford Museum, between £300
and £400 had been promised ; but the Committee were of opinion that actual
work could not be commenced until £1,000 had been promised. But an opinion
was entertained by many members of the Club that the best way of attracting
pecuniary and other aid would be to commence active museum work at once, and,
speaking for himself, the more he considered the matter, the more he was in
favour of amalgamating with the Chelmsford Museum at once, and then making
a vigorous effort to raise the funds for the new building. While commencing active
museum work in the rooms at Chelmsford and showing the necessity for the new
departure that the Club is desirous of making—even in a small way and with
limited resources—he believed they could so demonstrate the nature of the col-
lections proposed to be formed that their efforts would be appreciated.
The Chelmsford Museum had about 180 members, and the Club had about 400.
At present one did not move and the other did not move, but if they were amalga-
mated there would probably be a greater incentive to goon. Pending the erection
of a museum they could take over the present museum building at Chelmsford,
and the good work might be at once begun. He thought they would then get
outside support, and be in a position to build a museum building beyond the
capabilities of the present premises. He read with very great regret the sugges-
tion by the Chairman of the Essex County Council that the county records should