Page:The first report, etc., of the Lichfield Society.djvu/11

Rh object, viz., the present limited number of its Members. It is feared that the original Address was either imperfectly circulated or unfortunately misunderstood; for of upwards of 350 copies specially addressed, not more than 50 replies were received. The Committee therefore advise, that another Address, accompanied with a copy of this Report, should be carefully circulated through the Diocese amongst such of the Nobility, Clergy, and Gentry as may be known or expected to encourage a pursuit, at once so interesting historically, so important religiously, and withal, so rational and inexpensive, as to combine all the essentials which the most retired and conscientious person could expect in the form of recreation. Moreover, as the utility and efficiency of the Society is in great measure dependent upon the amount of funds at its disposal, the Committee strongly recommends that Donations be solicited in aid of its object, and that privileges be given to Members who assist the operations of the Society by this means. The Committee having developed the present circumstances of the Society, and the causes which have hitherto operated against the more active character which it is capable of assuming, now turns with pleasure to the brief consideration of what it has done. The first and most important of its acts is the participation it has had in the revision of the Rules of the Incorporated Society, by which it was invited to submit an opinion upon their former Rules, with such suggestions as to the revision of them, which their practical effect might occasion. The Secretaries accordingly considered the subject at some length, offering suggestions upon all the points under consideration, and it is highly gratifying to them to find, that having endeavoured to modify their opinions according to the best and most legitimate