racterised by judicious feeling and observation, he alluded to the fact that this was the third similar occasion in the history of the society on which an address had been given; and in reference to the formation of the society, said it originated with Dr. Hunt, who, from his position as a well known author and scientific observer, could command a much greater amount of influence than any individual of local standing. He also bore testimony to the indefatigable exertions of Mr. T. H. Cole, which had essentially promoted the success of the society, and to whom he (the president) offered his sincere thanks. At the close of an interesting sketch of the various papers read during last session, Mr. Rock excused himself from offering any résumé of the progress of science generally during the year, but referred to the address of the President of the British Association, and also to the addresses to the medical schools of London given by the professors at the recent commencement of the winter session, as supplying such information. He noticed, also, that discussion was one of the leading features of the Philosophical Society – a speciality in which they stood alone amongst the societies of the borough.
At the monthly meeting on the 13th of November, held in the new Assembly Room at the Castle hotel, Dr. Stone, the president, read a paper in answer to the question, “Does Life on the Earth give proof of Free Agency?” The doctor appeared to answer the question affirmatively. The after discussion was mostly adverse to the views expressed in the paper, the discussionists being Dr. Hunt, Dr. Moore, and Messrs Tale and Rock.
A Penny Bank Established.
On the 24th of May there was a gathering in the All Saints Girls Schoolroom of nearly 250 persons, who, after partaken of tea, listened to the proposal of starting a Penny Bank. W. D. Lucas-Shadwell, Esq., in addressing the meeting, said he was obliged to put himself rather prominently foward(sic), in consequence of having taken a great interest in the object for which they had met. After having explained how it originally came about, Mr. Shadwell read the rules, which he said would be further considered at a meeting of the committee, and then printed and distributed. The principal conditions were that the bank should be opened from 7 till 8 on Saturday evenings; that sums of from 1d to 10s. might be deposited each evening; that no depositor would be allowed to have more than £10 on the books; that interest of 2½ per cent. be allowed on all sums of over 10s. after a deposit of three months; that a week’s notice -
