PROCEEDINGS

OF THE

LIVERPOOL

LITERARY AND PHILOSOPHICAL SOCIETY.

ANNUAL MEETING-FIFTY-SEVENTH SESSION.

ROYAL INSTITUTION, OCTOBER 7th, 1867.

The REV. C. D. GINSBURG, LL.D., PRESIDENT, in the Chair.

The minutes of the last meeting of the fifty-sixth session were read and signed, after which the HONORARY SECRETARY read the following

REPORT.

The Council of the Literary and Philosophical Society, in presenting their report for the fifty-sixth session, find themselves again in the pleasant position of being able to congratulate the members upon the success which continues to attend the proceedings of their Society. Every meeting of the last session was well attended, and the papers which

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were presented called forth discussions which in one instance had to be adjourned to a subsequent meeting.

The Council feel that it is a subject of much regret that the Volumes containing the most important of these communications, extending over the last two sessions, are not yet in the hands of the members. Their publication has been delayed by circumstances entirely beyond the control of the council, but arrangements have now been made by which both volumes will be issued forthwith.

At the same time the Council are of opinion that the prompt publication of the Society's Transactions depends in a great measure upon those members who favour the Society with communications having their papers ready for the press immediately after they are read; they therefore regard the suggestion which was communicated to the Society during the last session, that the papers should be published periodically during the session in which they are presented, as of considerable importance, and one which, if it can be realised, will prevent the Society from falling in future into such arrears.

The Society has during the session received an addition of thirty-five new members, whilst it has lost by removals from the town, or other circumstances, only ten, leaving the number of the ordinary members two hundred and twenty-four.

The more important objects of the Society, in the promotion of literature and science, have received an additional stimulus in the creation of the new class of Corresponding Members, which is to consist only of those who, being actively engaged in literary or scientific pursuits, or in geographical exploration, will be likely to contribute valuable communications to the Society's Proceedings, or adopt its Volume of Transactions as a vehicle for imparting the results of their researches. Three gentlemen, who had already favoured the Society in this respect, have been admitted to this new class;

one Honorary Member has been added to the thirty-eight previously on the roll, and the number of Associates remains as before, namely thirteen. The grand total of the Society's Members thus amounts to two hundred and seventy-nine.

At the suggestion of your Council an application has been made to the British Association, on behalf of all the local societies, together with the Mayor and Corporation, requesting that body to hold its Annual Meeting for 1869 in Liverpool. The answer to this application cannot be definitively given before the next Annual Meeting of the Association, which will take place in Norwich; but there is every reason for believing that the application will be successful.

With one exception, already mentioned, no important change has taken place in the constitution of the Society, as the slight alteration in the hour of commencing the business of each meeting, though affording greater convenience to the members, does not demand more than a passing mention in this report.

The "receptions" continue to maintain their popularity, and have infused much cordiality and vigour among the members.

Your Council have now to conclude their Report with the recommendation of the following five Gentlemen for election on the new Council, in conformity with the 36th law: The Rev. John Sephton, M.A.; and Messrs. John M'Farlane Gray, Morris C. Jones, G. H. Morton, F.G.S., and Albert J. Mott.

It was then moved by Mr. A. J. Mott, seconded by Mr. Robinson, and resolved, "That the Report now read be received and adopted."

The Treasurer then submitted the Annual Statement of Accounts, which was unanimously passed, on the motion of Mr. Higginson, seconded by Mr. Marples.

The Society next proceeded to elect the officers for the year and the following gentlemen were appointed:

Vice-Presidents:

Mr. J. A. PICTON,

Dr. NEVINS,

Rev. H. H. HIGGINS.

Treasurer:

Mr. I. BYERLEY.

Hon. Secretary:

Mr. JAMES BIRCHALL.

Members of Council:

Mr. HIGGINSON,

Rev. W. B. BANISTER,

Mr. ARCHER,

Mr. MOORE,

Mr. M'FARLANE GRAY,

Mr. M. C. JONES,

Mr. G. H. MORTON,

Mr. A. J. MOTT,

Rev. J. SEPHTON.

The Associates were then re-elected, on the recom

mendation of the Council.

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