Devring the past vesion eleven ordinary and three sim-pobud Bestbed At the ordinary meetings the following stlyerts Stem Cv ved :- That Government ought to undertake the entre charge of the 24. That it is desirable to open Libraries. Picture Gallenes and Museums on Sundays." This debate was adjourned, and ultimately decided in the That the advances and policy of Russia in Central Asia menace 4th That the mode of manipulating political parties, known as the Debate adjourned, and decided in the Affirmative. 5th, That Free Trade, even without Reciprocity, is desirable." This debate also was adjourned, and decided in the 6th. That the School Board is justified in letting the rooms under its An impromptu debate, decided in the Affirmative. 7th, That the conversion of manufacturing concerns into Limited Companies has had a prejudicial effect, both upon the course of trade and upon the standard of workmanship." Decided in the Affirmative. The three semi-public meetings have consisted of— 1st.-A Lecture by Mr. H. J. Jennings, upon "Critics and Criticism." 3rd.-A Lecture by Mr. John Long, in continuation of the proposed series A crowded audience testified to the interest felt in each of these meetings; and while the Committee desire to place upon record their gratitude to the three gentlemen named, and to Mr. G. H. Johnstone, for his valuable assistance in arranging for the musical portion of the lecture upon "The Songs of Shakespeare," they feel that the marked attention with which their efforts were received, and the great pleasure which they succeeded in affording to their fellow members, will be their most valued reward. The average attendance at the ordinary meetings has been 561, and at the semi-public meetings no less than 213, making the general average 90; an increase of attendance in advance of all previous 5 sessions, which is the more gratifying because some inconvenience has been caused by the difficulty of providing a suitable room for meeting, and by the changes resulting therefrom; one consequence of which has been the unwilling curtailment of the number of semi-public meetings. The Committee trust that this difficulty has now been overcome, and that their successors will be enabled to offer to the Association a room at once convenient, central, and likely to form a permanent home. The number of speakers at the ordinary meetings has been forty-five; sixteen, or more than a third of whom, were maiden speakers, from whom the Committee feel that substantial help in the work of the Association in time to come may reasonably be anticipated. It is right to point out that the average of attendance has been largely influenced by the attractive nature of the semi-public meetings, and that the number of maiden speeches has been increased as a result of the impromptu debate; at the same time it is believed that the advance is in both cases a legitimate source of satisfaction; and that the additional interest excited by the one, and the stimulus afforded by the other, are natural and fitting aids to valid progress. The Annual Conversazione was held at the Royal Hotel, on the 7th January, 1879, when Mr. Tom Taylor's comedy, "The Babes in the Wood," was performed by a company of members and friends, to whose unselfish and very able assistance all present were greatly indebted. The number of tickets applied for was 207, and the pecuniary result, as shown in the Treasurer's accounts, was of a very gratifying character. The Annual Excursion was held on July 23rd, sixty-two members and friends being present. The place visited was Stratford-on-Avon, and the enjoyment of the day was materially increased by the cordial co-operation afforded by the gentlemen officially connected with the various objects of interest in the town. The attendance was smaller than could have been desired, and the financial result will be a small loss to the funds of the Association, but in every other respect the meeting was a most successful one. The lamentable destruction of the Birmingham Reference Library by fire in January last, appeared to the Committee a calamity in which the Association must be deeply interested, and in the reparation of which it should bear a worthy share. A circular was therefore issued inviting contributions, and by the generous response of the members the Committee were enabled to offer in aid of the restoration the sum of £162 8s. The Magazine which is issued under the auspices of the Association has shared in the general prosperity, and the four parts which complete the seventh year of its existence show no diminution in interest or value. No amateur magazine with which the Committee are acquainted is more successful, or more creditable to those generally concerned in its pro duction; and only the increased co-operation of the members, both as regards the question of circulation and that of contributions, is required to make it a yet more prominent and gratifying feature in our work. Since the last annual meeting four vacancies only have been announced; one of these being caused by the lamented death of Mr. G. W. Cole, an old and valued member of the Society. The number of candidates proposed was largely in excess of the vacancies, and the duty of exercising the greatest circumspection both in proposing and voting for new members must be obvious. The prizes of five guineas each to the English Literature and History Classes at the Midland Institute have been continued as heretofore; and the reports of Messrs. Geo. Zair and F. Schnadhorst, the members chosen to adjudicate thereon, leave no doubt that they form a valuable stimulus to the study of these subjects, so closely connected with the interests and objects of the Association. It will be evident that the important and multifarious work in which the Association is now engaged must involve to the Officers and Committee some anxiety, and no small amount of responsibility. It is, however, a source of unmixed satisfaction to be able to believe that all this work, as it is certainly unselfish, is also honourable in its objects and successful in its aims. During the past Session there has been no lack of willing help, and the youngest and the oldest of the members have vied with each other in the readiness and cordiality of their assistance. It only remains to the Committee once more to impress upon their fellow members that this, which has been the secret of the success of the Association in the past, is the sole condition of its continued prosperity. United in mutual labour for mutual benefit, there is no reason to fear that a long career of usefulness will not reward our efforts. The Central Literary Association needs, and can repay, the assistance of each and all its members; and while their indifference or neglect might at any time reduce it to helplessness, their loyal support is all that it requires to render it from year to year an ever-growing power for good. |