Page:Palestine Exploration Fund - Quarterly Statement for 1894.djvu/356

310 the work of the Society if we were called together rather oftener. I think if we were called together every quarter, instead of once a year, it would create a much greater interest in the work than letting matters stand over until a whole year has elapsed. Speaking of snow, I arrived in Jerusalem in deep snow in the middle of March, 1880, and going right out to Bethlehem there was deep snow the whole of the way.

—I should like to say one word before the Report is passed, and that is with regard to Mr. Bliss. I think we are extremely fortunate in having a man like Mr. Bliss. He has learned the work of excavation under Professor Petrie, who really is what one may almost call a born excavator. Mr. Bliss carries out his work in a thoroughly scientific manner, and one very good point about his excavations is that they are remarkably economical. All his work is done extremely well, and it is very satisfactory to find that within the first week he came upon the remains of a tower, which is really the only portion of Jewish masonry which has ever been uncovered in Jerusalem, excepting the wall round the Temple area. With regard to the snow that Professor Hull has mentioned, snow falls on an average three years out of every five in Jerusalem.

The Report was then adopted, and entered upon the Minutes. —The rainfall at Jerusalem at the present moment is in a doubtful state. We cannot say whether the climate is changing or whether it is merely a cycle. The remarkable thing is, that you have here two years with the greatest and least rain, but I think we are just about at the apex now, and apparently we are inclined to turn and come down. As to the productiveness increasing, I fear it will not, because in December we have enough rain to wash the seed all out of the ground, and the curious thing is that in other years, in December, we have less than an inch. When there is little rain in the autumn it is terrible for the agriculturist. The ground is dry, and it cannot be fit for the reception of seed; whilst in wet years it is all washed out of the ground. However, it is a matter of very deep interest, and it will extend its influence far beyond Palestine. We are indebted very greatly to our officers for work they have done. Certainly we are indebted to our Treasurer, who not only receives the money, but keeps an account of it. He is an accountant, and goes through every item in the year, which is a very heavy piece of work. I know it, because in the absence of the Treasurer I have done it myself, and therefore I am thankful to any on<! who takes the deep interest in our work that Mr. Morrison does; so that I am sure, in asking you to accord a vote of thanks to him you will do so very cheerfully. (The thanks were accorded.) Then comes Mr. Besant. He is a very busy man, but at more than half the meetings I attend he is present, and assists us in every way. Mr. Armstrong is always here, and apparently never tired, and really, gentlemen, the work of the office is very heavy—very heavy, indeed—and it is kept up very well by Mr. Armstrong. I should like, therefore, to move that we recognise the labours of Mr.