were made. Up to the period when Minton did so much to advance this branch of the art, nothing had been achieved equal to the Liverpool manufacture. At Herculaneum also, in this immediate neighbourhood, excellent pottery had been manufactured.

The entire company having descended to the reception room, Mr. Mayer expressed before their departure, the great pleasure which he experienced in having the members of the Society present with him, as his guests and fellow-students of antiquity.

Dr. Robson complimented Mr. Mayer on his liberality, and the taste he had displayed; and concluded by proposing the thanks of the gentlemen present.

Dr. Hume, especially on behalf of the Historic Society, seconded the motion which was at once adopted unanimously;-and the meeting separated.

4th December, 1856.-SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING.

J. TOWNE DANSON, F.S.S., V.P., in the Chair.

(Held half an hour before the usual Ordinary Meeting.)

The Chairman stated the object of the Meeting, and read the notice convening it.

Mr. Mayer proposed that a Diploma of Life Membership be presented to David Thom, D.D., Ph.D., in acknowledgment of his long connexion with the Society as a VicePresident, and an active member of the Council since its commencement.

Dr. Hume seconded the proposition, and mentioned some particulars of Dr. Thom's interest in the Society.

After some remarks from Mr. Peter R. M'Quie, Dr. Macintyre, and the Chairman, the Resolution was put and adopted unanimously.

15th April, 1357. SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING.

A Special General Meeting of the Society was called for the purpose of presenting an address to William Brown, Esq., M.P., at the usual place of meeting, in St. George's Hall, on the morning appointed for laying the foundation-stone of the Free Public Library and Museum.

It was afterwards arranged to present the address at the Town Hall; where the Society attended in its official capacity. This arrangement was adopted for the public convenience; as other public bodies were desirous to present Addresses at the same time. An elevated dais was occupied by Samuel Holme, Esq., deputy Mayor, and William Brown, Esq., M.P. The various Deputations were introduced by James A. Picton, Esq., F.S.A., Chairman of the Library and Museum Committee;-the Historic Society being first in order.

The President, Major-General the Hon. Sir Edward Cust, K.C.H., D.C.L., commenced the proceedings with some remarks in reference to the occasion of the meeting and the general business of the day, and then called on the hon. Secretary, Dr. Hume, to read the following:

SIR,

ADDRESS

"TO WILLIAM BROWN, Esq., M.P.

You this day lay the foundation stone of a building, to be devoted to a Free Public Library and Museum; and you have also, with a spirit worthy of so good a cause, signified your intention to erect it exclusively at your own cost.

We might, on general grounds, congratulate the public and ourselves as the recipients of such a noble gift; and any body of men might, with much propriety, tender to you their grateful acknowledgments. But the Members of the Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire feel that they have a peculiar right to do so. It is their pleasing duty to record facts of interest respecting this part of the country, and to cultivate an extended intellectual spirit; their meetings are held within the walls of St. George's Hall; the Society has itself collected a Library and Museum for the use of its own members; and a place of deposit has been promised for this collection as soon as sufficient space can be spared in the public Museum of the town.

It affords the highest gratification to every person in this great community, to see one of its members spontaneously producing from his abundance such a valuable and suitable offering for the benefit of the public at large. It is particularly gratifying to this Society, that one who has been enrolled among its members from the first, and who occupies a prominent official place within the area of its operations, should afford such material aid to the intellectual objects which it labours to promote. Nor can it be less satisfactory to yourself, to witness the high appreciation of your generous conduct, as evidenced by the enthusiastic and grateful recognition of all sections and grades of society.

We regard the principal ceremony of this day, as initiatory in more senses than one. We trust that it will induce many others of our "Merchant Princes" to emulate so good an example; and we rejoice to see facilities for completing the education of our ordinary schools, as well as for carrying general intelligence to lower grades of the community. We foresee, in the new erection, the appropriate home of some of our Societies and Institutions, for Literature, Science, and the Arts; and we look forward with hope to its affording valuable aid towards a higher class of Education than any that Liverpool yet posseses.

May you be spared to witness length of years and years of happiness, and to see amid the praise and honour of young and old, the valued fruits of the beautiful tree which you this day plant among us."

REPLY

"TO THE MEMBERS OF THE HISTORIC SOCIETY OF LANCASHIRE AND CHESHIRE. GENTLEMEN,

So totally unexpected are the honours which my fellow-townsmen are conferring on me,-for my desire in some slight degree to aid and promote their onward progress in acquiring knowledge of the useful arts of life,—that it exceedingly embarasses me to find suitable language to express my feelings; particularly to the Historic Society, of which I have been, I fear, an unworthy member.

My only apology is, that I have not time at my command, or that knowledge which would enable me to make myself useful in fishing the inexhaustible preserves of antiquarian lore which is so extremely useful in verifying and correcting many important parts of History. Therefore, all I can do is to try to mend, and extend the net in some slight degree; that you may have a greater power of withdrawing more and more from those preserves, the treasures which they yet contain. In this duty consider that we are all called upon to assist.

No one can appreciate more than I do your useful labours,—in all your three chosen lines of inquiry, Archæology, Literature, and Science,—and I can assure you that I am much gratified at your desiring to present me such an address, couched as it is in lauguage most flatteriug.

To be considered the associate of such a Society gives me position and rank amongst my fellow-men, and this is a great stimulus to make myself worthy of such a position. Gentlemen, permit me, in conclusion, to thank you sincerely for the honour you have conferred upon me."

[Both the Address and Reply were beautifully emblazoned on vellum, and mounted in handsome frames. The latter is preserved in the Society's Library.]

27th June, 1857. SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING.

EXCURSION TO MANCHESTER.

On Friday the 27th of June, the Annual Excursion of the Members and their friends took place, to the Art Treasures Exhibition at Manchester. The party, which consisted of about 200 gentlemen and 100 ladies, left Liverpool at half-past nine a.m., and proceeded by Birkenhead Chester and Warrington.

At the entrance to the Exhibition, they were met by several other members, resident in Manchester and the neighbourhood; and for about two hours the party separated into numerous private groups for the more convenient examination of different portions of the Exhibition. After one o'clock, a large number were conducted through the Gallery of Paintings by Ancient Masters, and the principal characteristies were pointed out by George Scharf, Jun., Esq. Conversational explanations were also given to similar parties, in the Gallery of Modern Portraits, by James Crossley, Esq., F.S.A., and in the department of Antiquities, by Mr. Chaffers, Mr. Mayer, and Dr. Bell.

At half-past three, about 250 sat down to dinner, in an apartment which had been specially screened off for the purpose. The Chair was taken by the Rev. A. Hume, D.C.L., Honorary Secretary. The principal table was also occupied by the Lord Bishop of Manchester, William Fairbairn, Esq., F.R.S., Rev. Thomas Corser, M.A., Colonel Hamilton, George Scharf, Jun., Esq., Professor Crace Calvert, Joseph Mayer, Esq., F.S.A., Mr. Chaffers, &c. Several sentiments, having special reference to the intellectual progress of Lancashire and Cheshire, were proposed and suitably acknowledged. The company broke up soon after five o'clock, and left the Exhibition by the returning train at seven.

25th July, 1857. SPECIAL GENERAL MEETING.

VISIT OF THE ARCHEOLOGICAL INSTITUTE.

[The Archæological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland held its Annual Meeting this year at Chester, from Tuesday the 21st till Wednesday the 29th July. On the invitation of the Council of the Historic Society, the Members and Associates resolved to visit Liverpool on Saturday the 25th.

The party from Chester, including Lord Talbot de Malahide, and comprising about seventy ladies and gentlemen, arrived at the Landing-stage a few minutes before eleven. Here they were joined by the Council of the Historic Society, who were to direct them in the arrange. ments of the day; and conducted on board the Satellite steamer, which had been placed at their disposal by the agents of the Cunard Company. The whole party then enjoyed a pleasant sail up the river, during which time the juvenile band of the Orphan Boys' Asylum played several airs.

Arriving at the Garston Docks, carriages were waiting to convey the ladies and gentlemen to Speke Hall, which they had been invited to visit by the proprietor, Richard Watt, Esq. After about an hour spent in examining its architectural peculiarities and antique furniture, they were summoned to a spacions marquee erected on the lawn, where an elegant déjeuner was provided. After returning to Garston by the same carriages, and re-embarking, the Satellite proceeded to visit the United States' Frigate Niagara; and by the permission of Captain Hudson and the officers, the Atlantic Telegraph Cable and the arrangements con

nected with it were examined.

On arriving in Liverpool, some of the party visited St. George's Hall, under the guidance of John Woodruff, Esq.; others Mr. Mayer's Museum, through which they were conducted by the proprietor; and the remainder the Sailors' Home, which was described by J. T. Towson, Esq. A reception-room had been provided at the Adelphi Hotel, which was regarded as the point of reunion; and here a collation was in readiness at half-past five.]

At eight o'clock, a Special General Meeting of the Society, in the form of a Conversazioné, was held in the apartments of the Town Hall. These, including lights, had been placed at the disposal of the Society by the Worshipful the Mayor, V.P., ex officio;

and the subsequent arrangements were made by the Society. The company in attendance amounted to about 1,000.

The lobbies were decorated with rare green-house plants from the Botanic Garden, and from the orchestra in the large ball-room the banner of the Society was suspended. In other parts of the building, various objects of interest were exhibited. These included models of the proposed approaches to St. George's Hall, model of the Ripley Institution, Lancaster, various architectural drawings and models, curious specimens of naval architecture, a series of Shaksperian characters designed for stained glass, specimens of stained glass, rare illustrated books, illuminated manuscripts, microscopes, stereoscopes, philosophical apparatus, and photographs.

About half-past nine the refreshment-room was thrown open; and J. T. Danson, Esq., V.P., expressed on behalf of the Historic Society the official welcome which they gave in open meeting, to their guests and fellow-labourers. He concluded by proposing "The Health of Lord Talbot de Malahide, and success to the Archæological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland." His Lordship after suitable acknowledgments, proposed "Prosperity to the Town of Liverpool," and subsequently "the Historic Society of Lancashire and Cheshire."

Shortly before the visitors from Chester retired, Mr. Mayer, the Honorary Curator, presented to Lord Talbot, on behalf of the Society, a beautiful mazer bowl. It was made from part of the timber of Prince Rupert's cottage; was inlaid with silver; and surmounted by a suitable inscription. The latter, after expressing his thanks, called for wine, and drank from it for the first time to the sentiment, "The Lancashire Witches."

At eleven o'clock, the military band in attendance played the National Anthem, with which the meeting terminated.

ASHMOLEA

OXFORD

LIBRARY

INDEX.