Jan. 14] PROCEEDINGS. [1890.SECRETARY'S REPORT
FORTHEYEAR1889.Duringthe past yearthe Society has suffered severe loss by the
deathof some of its members, and it is with no ordinary painthat I have
to record the names of the Right Rev.J. B. Lightfoot, D.D.,&c, Bishopof
Durham,VicePresident,and ProfessorWilliamWright,D.C.L.,LL.D.,
&c, both of whom fromits commencement took the warmest interest
in the Society. To Prof. Wright we have been often indebted for
valuable papers and notes. In Volume IX of the Proceedings, he
commenceda description of Kufic Gravestonesin the British Museum,
and being asked, withhis usual kindnesswillinglyundertookto place
the members in possession of descriptions and translations of these
ancientand curious memorialsof those wholivedand died 800 to 1,000
yearsor more ago. Commencedin June, 1887,a melancholy interest
is attached to' his second andlast communication, whichappearedin
our Proceedings of June, 1888.
Anotherdistinguished memberhas passed fromus, Philip Henry
Gosse,F.R.S.,wellknownfromhis many valuableworks on Natural
History. Althoughhis favourite line of study was foreign to the objects
of the Society, his interest in our subjects was very great,andas one
of our earliest members,he ever gave the assistance andsupportin
his power, whichwas continued to the last.
It is true our loss has been great,but I am pleased to be able to state
that the number on the roll of Members, althoughthe increase is not so
extensiveas mightbe wished for the welfare of the Society and advantage
of present and future Membersalike,is fairly maintained. In order to
fully realize the wish and intention of the Council, whentheydecided,as
I mentioned in my last Report, to change to some extentthe form of our
Publications,it is necessary for every Memberto exert himself. To many
the Societyis indebtedfor valuable communications,and if the remainder,
who from one cause or another do not wish to help in the same manner,
wouldmakea distinct effortto enlist the assistance of those interestedin
BiblicalArchaeology,the intention of the Council wouldbe realized, and
generaladvantagewould accrue to all. I have urged thisin other
Reportswithhappyresults,but cannot urgeit too often, as, except by
the accidental circumstanceof the generosity of single members,it is only
by our own efforts thatthe present successof the Society's Publications
can be increased. Thereis no want of material, an almost unlimited
supplysimplywaitsthe means of publication, and more is certain to be
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