193 COLLOTYPE OF LEEDS MACE, AND CLIPPING TOOLS USED BY ARTHUR MANGEY 205 FAMILY OF ASOLF OR ESSOLF to face page 23 Thoresby Society. REPORT FOR 1896. 'HE Council of the Thoresby Society have the pleasure to present their Eighth Annual Report. During the year eight Life and twenty-three Annual Members have joined the Society, and the number on the Roll at the end of the year is 279, of which forty-five are Life and 234 Annual. It is gratifying to note that thirteen Libraries are now subscribing to the Society. A first portion of the "Calverley Charters" and two parts of the "Leeds Parish Church Registers" have been issued during 1896 (together three parts-two for 1894 and one for 1895), and there are now in the press a third part of "Miscellanea and Index," completing Vol. IV. (for 1895), and a portion of the "Kirkstall Abbey Coucher Book," and another part of the "Leeds Parish Church Registers" for 1896. On the 28th January, the Rev. Chas. Hargrove, M.A., read a paper to the Society on "The Cistercian Order of Monks"; on February 11th, Colonel Wilson gave a paper on "Old Leeds"; and on the 10th March, Mr. E. K. Clark, M.A., read a paper on "The Roman Wall between Newcastle and Carlisle"; which were all much appreciated by the members present. In May, June, and July, very successful Excursions were made to Norton Conyers and Tanfield; to Woodsome X Hall, Fenay Hall, and Almondbury; and to Bilborough Hall, Nun Appleton Hall, and Bolton Percy. Sir Reginald Graham, Bart., Mr. Guy Thomas Fairfax, the Bishop of Beverley, Colonel Brooke, Mr. J. A. Brooke, Mr. Angus Holden, and the Clergy of the different churches very courteously received the members and described the various places visited. The Society have been fortunate in having had presented to them, by Messrs. Whitaker Bros., Messrs. Geo. Depledge & Co., and Mr. T. H. Dodgson, the Bell, dated 1757, which formerly belonged to the White Cloth Hall, and was rung at the opening and close of the Market, and the Society's warmest thanks are due to those gentlemen. The following figures, giving the number of members elected in each year of the Society's existence, will be interesting as showing its growth : The years 1892 and 1896 were years of special energy in the direction of making the Society better known, and it is gratifying to think that the labour expended on this work has been productive. The work done in 1896 has probably not yet produced its full result, as it is believed that the desirability of joining the Society is under iii. consideration at several American and other Libraries. It is believed that as the Publications become better known the number of Library Members will be largely increased. The Council are desirous of including as many members of this class as possible on the Roll, since a Library is a perpetual Life Member who never dies and does not compound. The following is a list of the members of this class already appearing on the Society's Register: Public Library of the City of Boston, U.S.A. Chetham's Library, Manchester. Dewsbury Public Free Library. The Guildhall Library, London. Leeds Public Library. Leeds Library. Leeds Mechanics' Institution and Literary Society. Leeds Church Institute. Manchester Free Library. Newcastle Literary and Philosophical Society. Sheffield Public Library. The most important event of the year, and one which it is hoped will have a beneficial effect upon the future history of the Society, is the securing of permanent premises. Among the objects for which the Society was formed, the first named in the Rules is "The collection and preservation of books, pamphlets, MSS., deeds, engravings, drawings, coins, antiquities, and other objects relating to the town and neighbourhood of Leeds.” Little has been done or could be done in this direction for want of suitable premises. Through the energetic |