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contemplated; and they have much pleasure in
reporting that their applications have been so successful, that
before the close of the year they had enrolled nearly four hundred
and fifty Members; and at the present moment, in little more than
six months from its formation, the effective strength of the
Society exceeds five hundred Members. Of these, no less than
thirty-nine have shown their desire to make it a permanent
institution, by becoming life subscribers of £5 each; and
fourteen individuals of high literary distinction have honoured
the Society by permitting their names to be enrolled as Honorary
Members—many of them, further, promising contributions to our
projected publications.
" In pursuance of the instructions they
received, the Committee have held various meetings, at which they
have taken into consideration the Rules of the Sussex Archaeological
Society, as originally adopted by us, with the view of judging
whether any alterations therein were expedient for the management
of this Society; and they beg to report that they have suggested
some few alterations therein, and additions thereto, which they
conceive will be conducive to the success of the Society, and
likely to prove more effective in furthering its objects than if
the Rules had been left altogether in their original form. These
alterations and additions the Committee have consolidated in the
Rules which they have appended to this Report, and which they now
submit to the Society for adoption.
" In the performance of these duties the
Committee have necessarily been obliged to incur some expenses,
the account of which will be laid before this Meeting, together
with a balance-sheet showing the present state of the Society's
finances.
" Although a very large amount of subscriptions
are still unpaid, yet, in order to avoid any delay in the
prosecution of the Society's undertakings, and in full reliance on
the immediate receipt of the arrears of subscriptions now due,
arrangements have been made, subject to the sanction of this
Meeting, for the issue, soon after the Annual General Meeting in
the summer, of the Society's first volume, which, from the papers
already supplied, and those which are promised, the Committee feel
confident will do honour to Kentish antiquaries, and at once
establish the character of the Society as an effective and zealous
promoter of the science of Archaeology.
" The Committee have further to report to you
that the Committee of the Charles Museum have offered to our
Society the use of rooms, with the services of their Curator as
assistant-secretary, provided that we are willing to contribute
£25 per annum for the same. They have readily accepted the
offer, subject, however, to the sanction of this Meeting.
" The Committee have also the gratification of
reporting that
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