Meeting at Pontefract, August 8th, 1845

Abstract

The Right Hon. the Earl Fitzwilliam in the chair. On the motion of the Secretary, the following gentlemen were elected Members of the Society:— Rev. Andrew Cassels, Morley. Lord Galway, Serlby, near Bawtry. Rev. T. Hind, Featherstone, Pontefract. Samuel Hirst, Esq., Kellington, Pontefract. William Hepworth, Esq., Pontefract. Richard Monckton Milnes, Esq., M.P., Frystone. Mr. Moxon, Pontefract. Rev. Richard Stainforth, Pontefract. Dr. Simpson, Pontefract. His Lordship rose and said, that the Society with which they were connected had frequently met in different towns in the West Riding; and now they were assembled in that town which, in one respect at least, might be considered as a sort of metropolis—it being that town in which the principal magisterial business was transacted. It was always a satisfaction to visit a town where hospitality was shown to strangers; and it was a great satisfaction to him to be able to meet his fellow-associates in the fulfilment of their labours, in a town where they were most admirably accommodated by the liberal hospitality of the worthy Chief Magistrate of the borough. It was with great satisfaction that he had to announce that some very interesting communications would be made, for the first of which they would be indebted to Professor Phillips, who would now proceed with his communication.