lxviii Journal of Proceedings.
believing that it is wholly unnecessary for the railway to take the
route projected, and that it would not fail to prejudicially affect the
advantages secured by the Epping Forest Act, which directs that the
Forest is to be preserved as far as possible in its natural aspect."
The Club than resolved itself into the
Annual General Meeting.
The Treasurer's Statement of Account (see page lxix) was read,
and after some little discussion, was agreed to unanimously, on the
motion of Mr. Letchford, seconded by Mr. J. Hutchison.
The Secretary read the Report of the Council for the Year
1880:—
In presenting the first Annual Report, the Council feels that it can
honestly and sincerely congratulate the members on the success which
has attended the foundation and first year's work of the Club. It is
unnecessary to recapitulate the steps taken in the formation of the
Society; a short sketch of its origin has been prefixed to the Report of
the Inaugural Meeting in the "Proceedings," and its subsequent
progress is fresh in the minds of members. Within two months of the
establishment of the Club, when the list of original members was
closed, the number was 169; since that date 58 members have been
elected. The Council regrets to record the loss of one member, Mr. G.
Thompson, by death, already alluded to by the Chair ; two members
have resigned, so that our strength on December 31st was 224. It
will be admitted that this forms a very gratifying token of the position
the Society has already taken in public estimation, but your Council is
sanguine enough to hope that it is but the precursor of further advance.
The real backbone of a Society such as yours is the possession of a
large body of enthusiastic members, and it cannot be too strongly
urged upon all well-wishers that it should be their duty and pleasure
to obtain additional recruits, and so add to the stability of the Club,
and its power of accomplishing useful and permanent work.
In reviewing the events of the session, a first place must be given to
the honour conferred upon the Society by the Duke of Connaught. The
fact that his Royal Highness has both an official and personal interest
in the County as Ranger of Epping Forest lends a peculiar appro-
priateness to his kind and ready acceptance of the office of Patron of
the Club.