THE PRESIDENTIAL ADDRESS.
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concise but comprehensive form, from the multitude of sources of
information which now exist. Many of these facts might otherwise
wander down the stream of time, and perish in oblivion. We seek
to conserve all materials for County History, the value of which is
so well appreciated, but which are so difficult to obtain, even by
diligent students in their special subjects. The want of such a
County record must have been often felt, and it has not hitherto
been satisfied, though the many local newspapers and the various
journals or magazines of a cosmopolitan or special nature contain
much about the statistics, history, arts, agriculture, commerce, manu-
factures, literature, and even topography and biography of the
county." The first number was published in January, 1892, so that
we have now entered the fourth year. No payment is made for any
of the articles, and the work is brought out in as economical manner
as possible, consistent with efficiency, but we require better support,
and if it is to be continued there must be at least 100 additional
annual subscribers in order to make both ends meet. At present
there are between 500 and 600, and it ought not to be difficult to
get 100 additional names out of the whole county in support of
a distinctly county periodical.
I have now, I believe, touched I fear but very imperfectly, upon
the work of the Club and of its members during the last two or three
years. I have told you how the amalgamation with the Chelmsford
Museum has been completed, and how the remodelling of the
Museum and joint-Libraries of the two Societies is progressing. I
have told you of the important work carried out in reference to
Technical Education, especially of the establishment of a Central
Institution, in accordance with the original suggestion of the Club.
I have recalled to your minds the principal events in connection
with our summer rambles, and I have drawn your attention to the
important work carried out by the Bibliographical Society, and I
hope I have sufficiently impressed upon your minds the important
step taken in the starting of "The Essex Review," and the great
necessity of giving that publication your hearty support. And, in
conclusion, I hope I may not be considered to be beating the Essex-
Field Club drum too noisily when I venture to say that I think we
may fairly congratulate ourselves upon having done something
towards the advancement of Art and Science and Literature. I
feel that at no time of its existence has it occupied a better position
than it does at the present moment, and I feel confident that its