REPORT OF THE COUNCIL. THE Council of the Lancashire and Cheshire Antiquarian Society, in laying before the members their Thirteenth Annual Report, have satisfaction in stating that the Society has maintained its position of interest and usefulness during the past year, and that the number of members has slightly increased. With the large number of literary and scientific societies now holding regular monthly meetings during the winter in Manchester it is not to be expected that the present number of members can be greatly increased. We may congratulate ourselves that our numbers testify to our Society being one of the most popular of those which foster the intellectual tastes of the district. PUBLICATION.—Volume xii. of the Transactions of the Society was issued to the members in November last, and it is hoped that it will be found not less interesting and valuable than its predecessors. The "Bibliography of Lancashire and Cheshire Antiquities and Biography," contributed for several years past by Mr. Ernest Axon, has this year been compiled by Mr. J. H. Swann, of the Manchester Free Reference Library. Antiquarian students will feel grateful to Messrs. Axon and Swann for furnishing so useful a work of reference. The volume also contains an "Index of Archæological Papers published in 1894," from the Transactions of the various archæological societies throughout the kingdom. This index is obtained by arrangement with the Society of Antiquaries, and it adds greatly to the value of our own volume. MEMBERSHIP.-Seventeen new members have joined the Society during the year, whilst thirteen have been lost by death, resignation, and other causes. The number of members now on the roll is as follows:— WINTER MEETINGS.-The monthly meetings, during the months January to April and October to December, inclusive, have been held as usual at the Chetham Library, and with about the same average attendance as in former years. The titles of the papers and short communications are given in the following list:— 1895. Feb. 1.-Church Discipline in the Sixteenth Century. Mr. W. Fergusson Irvine. 1. The Exploration of the Second Mound at Stonyhurst. Rev. J. R. Luck, S.J. Mar. 1.-The Early History of Prestbury Church. Dr. Renaud. 1.-Masons' Marks on the Stones of Stretford Aqueduct. Mr. N. Heywood. April 5-Local Checks and Tokens. Mr. Geo. C. Yates. " 5.-The Stone Aht Pipes of Vancouver Island. Mr. Geo. C. Yates. 5.-Tim Bobbin versus John Whitaker. Col. H. Fishwick. Oct. 11.-Roman Britain. Professor Boyd Dawkins. 1.-The Salford Ancient Court Records. Mr. Geo. C. Yates. 1.-Outlines of Archæology. Mr. Carl Lobenhoffer. 1895. Dec. 6.-A Genealogical Account of Foxwist and Duncalf. Dr. Renaud. " 1896. 6.- Who Built the Holy Crosses of Oldham? Mr. Samuel Andrew. Jan. 19.-Ancient Fords, Ferries, and Bridges in North Lancashire. Mr. William Harrison. 19.-Notes on St. Eilian's Chapel. Mr. C. H. Bellamy. At each meeting various objects of antiquarian interest were exhibited. CONVERSAZIONE.-The members and friends held their usual winter gathering in the Concert Hall, on Wednesday, the 11th December. The meeting was opened by a short address by Mr. W. E. A. Axon, F.R.S.L., one of the VicePresidents, on a "Bronze Coin of Aurelian," making it a text for an interesting and eloquent sketch of the adventurous career of that emperor. The following objects of antiquarian interest were exhibited: SUMMER MEETINGS.-The Whitsuntide meeting (Wednesday, June 5th, to Saturday, June 8th) was held at Cheltenham, as a centre, and visits were paid to Gloucester, |