Professor A. P. Thomas, F.L.S., President, in the chair.

New Members.—R. A. Carr, R. W. Duthie, S. Danneford, Rev. J. T. Penfold, F.G.S., J. W. Tibbs, M.A.

by Professor A. P. Thomas, F.L.S., President

Professor A. P. Thomas, F.L.S., President, in the chair.

showed how argon could be obtained by passing atmospheric nitrogen backwards and forwards from one gas-holder to another over red-hot magnesium, whereby the nitrogen was slowly taken up as magnesium nitride, while there remained a residue of unabsorbed gas; and he also described the other methods which have been followed to obtain argon.

At the close of the lecture a vote of thanks was proposed by the Vice-president (Mr. J. H. Upton) and carried by acclamation.

Professor C. W. Egerton gave a popular lecture on “The Dawn of the English Drama.”

Abstract.

The lecturer said the English drama was the slow and gradual development of many centuries. It had its origin in the ritual services

of the mediæval Church, and in the first instance its object was to stir the emotions and purify the morals of the faithful by bringing home to them the facts of sacred history with the greatest possible vividness. At the outset, sacred dramas were enacted within the walls of the church itself. Indeed, the form of service itself was, as a French writer has noticed, “nothing but a long divine spectacle.” The lecturer then gave a description of the old miracle-plays, and an estimate of their relation to the life of the fourteenth, fifteenth, and sixteenth centuries. He then noticed the “moralities,” or allegorical plays, and farcical interludes, ending with an account of the genesis of the regular English drama, as represented by Shakespeare's immediate predecessors.

Papers.—1. “Two Coming Eclipses,” by Professor H. W. Segar.

Abstract.

This paper gave an account of an eclipse of the moon (partial) to come off on the evening of the 3rd September, and a partial eclipse of the sun to take place on the 19th September.

2. “Browning's ‘Vision of Life,’” by E. A. Mackechnie.

Abstract.

The author commenced by stating that, although the high excellence of Browning's poetry was beyond dispute, yet he could not be called popular, and his works were not widely read. This is in great measure due to the subject-matter of his poems, which is chiefly psychological. Few people take an absorbing interest in such studies; and it is this want of interest in the subject, rather than obscure phraseology, which is the true reason why Browning's writings are not more often read. The writer then proceeded to illustrate the views which Browning held of life, and of man's duty to himself and others, giving frequent quotations from his poems in support of his statements. He considered that Browning possessed in no ordinary degree the scientific spirit of patient research and minute analysis. He threw himself, as it were, into the very mind which he pourtrays, showing it from within, and laying bare its thoughts, passions, and secrets. It is this study which lent interest to his life, and to which we are indebted for those psychological pictures which give the workings of a man's soul. Tennyson has often been called “the poet of the age,” and, from the large circle of his readers, the claim is perhaps just. But the music of his verse, like much other bygone music, having supplied the requirements of the age, will probably cease to command attention. But the admirers of Browning claim for him a more enduring fame. He depicts our thoughts, our loves and hates; the aspirations of our spiritual nature; the trials and disappointments of this life,—all, in fact, that makes humanity; he has not inaptly been termed “the dramatist of the soul,” and as such his admirers anticipate that he will take a position in the world's estimation second only to Shakespeare.

Mr. E. W. Payton gave a popular lecture on “Art and Photography”.

Abstract.

The lecturer discussed the claims of photography to a place among the fine arts, treating the question from the point of view of both artist and photographer. He described the chief points of difference between the works of the artist and the photographer, particularising the excellencies and defects of both. The value of a knowledge of photography to an artist, and its dangers, and the value of an artistic training to a photographer, were both fully treated of. The lecture was illustrated with a large number of lantern-slides prepared from the best works of the most celebrated artists of Europe, and from photographs of high merit.

The balance-sheet shows that the total revenue, excluding the previous year's balance of £73 14s. 4d., was £877 13s. 3d. This is a somewhat smaller amount than was received during 1894–95, a temporary delay in the payment of one of the chief items of revenue having prevented its inclusion in the annual statement of accounts. From the same cause the receipts from the invested funds of the Costley bequest show a diminution, the amount for this year being £388 9s. 7d., against £474 12s. 2d. for the previous year. The rents and interest derived from the Museum endowment have yielded £340, almost exactly the same sum as that credited during 1894–95. Members' subscriptions amount to £132 6s., being slightly in excess of the previous year's receipts. The increase is gratifying in view of the fact that this source of income has progressively declined since 1882. The total expenditure has been £890 18s. 6d., leaving a credit balance of £60 9s. 1d. The invested funds of the society are in a satisfactory state. The total amount at the present time is £13,145, showing an increase of £300 during the year. With the exception of about £900, the whole of this sum is invested in mortgage on freehold property.

Election of Officers for 1896.—President—D. Petrie, M.A., F.L.S.; Vice-presidents—Prof. A. P. Thomas, F.L.S., J. H. Upton; Council—G. Aickin, J. Batger, W. Berry, Professor Brown, F.D., F.C.S., C. Cooper, E. A. Mackechnie, T. Peacock, J. A. Pond, F.C.S., Rev. A. G. Purchas, M.R.C.S.Eng., T. H. Smith, J. Stewart, C.E.; Trustees— E. A. Mackechnie, S. P. Smith, F.R.G.S., T. Peacock; Secretary and Curator—T. F. Cheeseman, F.L.S., F.Z.S.; Auditor— W. Gorrie.