JUBILEE COMMEMORATION MEETING.
55
I must not forget how much you owe to Mr. Thompson, the
curator. No Museum can be a going concern without a per-
sonality behind it. It is all very well to have co-operative
endeavours, but you must have a leading spirit—someone to
look to to carry on the high traditions of the Club, and to be a
guiding star to its members.
As I have already stated, I have had the unique experi-
ence of visiting the Museums throughout the country, and I
have come back refreshed with the idea that what I went out
to look for elsewhere I come back to find so fully realised in
the Essex Field Club. I wish you all success.
Sir Arthur Smith Woodward, LL.D., F.R.S., rose and said :—
I have much pleasure, as a former President of this Club,
in proposing that our very best thanks be given to His Worship
the Mayor of West Ham, both for his kindness in lending us
this beautiful Hall for our Jubilee Celebration, and especially
for the sympathy he has shown with us in coming personally
and presiding over this meeting. This is only one instance
among many, since the Field Club began its association with
the Mayor and Corporation of West Ham, of the favours con-
ferred upon us and of the way in which we have been helped
by the Borough.
As Sir Henry Miers has said, we are all absorbed in the
various studies in which we are personally interested. Most
of us are hard at work trying to find out something of the natural
history of our surroundings. We come to our meetings to bring
our little quota to be discussed, and we see our results published
in the Essex Naturalist, which is always full of interesting matter.
But we can only do this because we have the help of the Mayor
and Corporation of West Ham. They help us with their
sympathy, and they contribute greatly to the success of our
undertaking.
On the other hand, as Sir Henry also reminded us, we have
something to offer in return. A body of naturalists such as
this Club is, can help to impart their enthusiasm to those with
whom they come into contact. It is the essence of research
that one who is engaged in it is so bubbling over with the interest
of it, that some of his enthusiasm is imparted to those looking
on. And in our work in connection with the Museum we cer-
tainly try to repay some of the favours which the Mayor and