St. Leonards Mechanics’ Institution
A Lecture on Zoophites was delivered in the rooms of the Institution by Mr. William Walter on the 28th of January.
A Lecture on Astronomy, illustrated with a revolving orrery and transparent diagrams, was delivered in the same rooms to a crowded audience by Mr. Butler, of the Eversfield Library. In reporting this lecture, the proprietor of the Gazette was complimented by the lecturer on having avoided the mistakes made by other reporters, such avoidance being due to his more itimate(sic) acquaintance with subject of the lecture.
A Quarterly Meeting of this spirited and flourishing institution (so described by the Hastings News) was held on Feb 8th, when the Committee’s report showed the Society to be in a healthy condition. The number of life-members being 26, and 45 new members being added during the quarter brought up the total to 216. A half-year’s mortgage interest had been paid, chairs and other furniture had been purchased, three more daily papers had been supplied, and still a small cash balance remained.
A Second Lecture on Astronomy, by Mr. J. E. Butler, was given in the rooms of the Institution on the 20th of February, and was attentively listened to, as was the first lecture, by a crowded audience.
Local Botany was the title of a lecture delivered by members of the Institution on February 13th by Mr. Arthur Ransom, the lecture being illustrated with a collection of natural specimens.
A Lecture on Chronology, of a useful and entertaining character, was delivered on the 27th of February by Mr. C. J. Womersley. The weather was bad and the attendance was smaller than usual.
“Australia and its Gold Fields” was the title of a lecture delivered to the members and others on March 20th, by the Rev. J. Stent, and a lecture on Joan of Arc was given in the following week by Mr. Young.
A Lecture on Local Geology was given by Mr. Joseph Pitter, the subject being illustrated by a map of the wealden, a section of the coast from Beachy Head to Dover, and an elevation showing the Hasting’s cliff near the East Well; also a specimen of glass made from the sand of the same cliff, together with numerous fossils.
A Quarterly Meeting was held on the 9th of August, when it was shown that there was an unfavourable balance of £6 19s.; that increased accommodation in the new premises had augmented the expenses; that it was contemplated to slightly raise the price of admission; and that, Mrs Cripps, of Verulam place, had presented through the hands of T. B. Brett, a large case of Australian birds, two cases of English birds, a glass case of coral, a case of ferns and a guinea in cash.
The 7th Annual Soirée of the Institution was held on the 16th of October in the Assembly Rooms, kindly lent by Mr. Burton. Tea was served by a committee of management, under the superintendence of Mr. Cope. The after proceedings consisted of appropriate addresses, songs by Mr. J. Skinner, and music by amateurs (chiefly members). A. Burton, Esq. presided, and the soirée was altogether a successful one. The Secretary read the Committee’s report which showed an augmentation of -
