The Council have to direct the attention of the Society to the obligations conferred upon it by J. I. Blackburne, Esq. M.P. by giving the Society the use of the MS. of the Three Romances, edited by Mr. Robson.
Also by the Right Hon. Thomas Grenville, in placing in Mr. Way’s hands, upon the application of the Director, his valuable early printed editions of the “Promptorium,” which Mr. Way wished to use for his edition of that work; and by the Master and Fellows of Saint Peter’s College, Cambridge, for the readiness with which, upon a similar application, they lent the Council, for the use of Mr. Way, a valuable MS., entitled Campus Florum.
The same exertions, in behalf of the Society, which former Councils have acknowledged, have been continued to be made by the Local Secretaries, and other friends of the Society resident in the country; and the Council trust that such exertions will not be relaxed. To diffuse a knowledge of the existence and objects of the Society tends, not merely to promote its welfare, but also to carry out the purpose for which it was established, by directing the attention of the possessors of MSS. to those collections in which there yet exist, unpublished, inestimable papers which this Society would be ready and willing to make available.
Messrs. Nichols have continued to the Council the same attentions, and have rendered them the same valuable and gratuitous assistance in the general management of the affairs of the Society, which they have given from its Institution. Nothing can be more honourable to Messrs. Nichols, or more advantageous to the Society; and the Council are assured, that it is only necessary for them to state the fact to the Members, in order to its being duly appreciated.
The Council have to regret the loss, by death, during the last year, of the Rt. Hon. Thos. P. Courtenay, who, in addition to valuable services as a Member of the Council, was one of the Trustees of the Society, and gave much attention to its affairs. The Council have filled up the vacancy in the Trusteeship by electing to that office Charles Purton Cooper, Esq. LL.D., Q.C., F.R.S., F.S.A.
The Council have also to regret the death of Henry Bower, Esq. F.S.A. the very zealous and efficient Local Secretary of the Society at Doncaster; and also of the following other Members:
Thomas Barnes, Esq.
George Frederick Beltz, Esq. F.S.A. Lancaster Herald.
Henry Eyton, Esq.
The Rev. Thomas Dudley Fosbroke, F.S.A.