sunshine and of interest, and was much enjoyed.

A half-day excursion to Disley and Lyme Hall was made on Saturday, May 29th. The inspection of the hall and its valuable contents gave great pleasure to the members present.

FOREIGN LITERATURE SECTION.

An important addition to the activities of the Club has been made by the formation of a section devoted to the study of foreign, especially European, literatures. The section was established under Rule 6 of the Club, which provides for such purposes. Officers were appointed, and the work entered upon with much energy and interest. The following is a list of the papers which have been read before the section during the Session :

:

WM. STERN.

A. SCHUMACHER.
.J. F. L. SANDBACH.

JOSEPH ANGELOFF.
..A. SCHUMACHER.
A. SHAKLIAN.

J. F. L. SANDBACH.

WALTER BUTTERWORTH.

.K. H. FUNDUKLIAN.

.R. H. SELBIE.

EDWARD HULME.

PROPOSED ABERGLASLYN RAILWAY.

On February 7th, 1898, the Club passed a resolution strongly protesting against the proposal that a light railway should be run from Portmadoc through the Pass of Aberglaslyn to Beddgelert. This action was communicated to the persons engaged in opposing the project, and the Council report with much satisfaction that the scheme has been, for the present, abandoned.

CONVERSAZIONI.

The Session was opened on Monday, October 4th, 1897, by a Conversazione being held in the Club's rooms. An interesting collection of drawings and paintings was exhibited, and an enjoyable programme of music, singing, and recitations provided, under the direction of Mr. John Wilcock. A pleasant feature was the

introduction into the programme of several original contributions by members of the Club. After welcoming the members, the President spoke on the outlook for literature in England.

The Session was brought to a close by a Conversazione held in the Club's rooms on Monday, April 18th.

In addition to the Conversazioni three papers were read which admitted of the musical members of the Club adding greatly to the enjoyment of its proceedings. These papers were—Mr. N. Dumville's "A Night with John L. Hatton," Mr. Thomas Kay's "In the Clouds," and Mr. Robt. Peel's "Opera; its Rise and Development."

CHRISTMAS SUPPER.

The Annual Christmas Supper was held on December 20th, 1897. Mr. Geo. Milner was in the chair, and the gathering of members and their friends was larger than on any previous occasion. The usual ceremonies were observed with even more than the accustomed elaborateness and attention to detail. Father Christmas was represented by Mr. B. A. Redfern, and the Jester was Mr. Edmund Mercer. Several original pieces of verse were contributed which added considerably to the delightfulness of the proceedings.

IN MEMORIAM.

The losses by death during the year have been Zachary Mellor, Town Clerk of Rochdale; Ernest Mulliner, Henry Nutter, J. B. Shaw, and W. I. Wild.

MEMBERSHIP AND FINANCE.

The

The Club has lost 22 members by death, resignation, or being struck off the roll, and 26 new members have been elected. number now enrolled is 224. The Treasurer's statement shows an income of £237 Os. 6d., and an expenditure of £206 17s. 5d. being a balance of income over expenditure of £30 3s. 1d.

TREASURER'S STATEMENT, 1897-8.

Dr.

CHARLES W. SUTTON, Treasurer, in Account with

the Manchester Literary Club.

Cr.

SATURDAY, MAY 29, 1897.-On the afternoon of this day a half-day excursion to Disley and Lyme Hall was participated in by a goodly gathering of members of the Club. An enjoyable stroll through Lyme Park took the visitors to the hall, which was inspected with great interest and pleasure, especial attention being attracted by the ancient armour, wood carvings, and portraits which form so rich and extensive a portion of the treasures of the hall.

LICHFIELD.

SATURDAY, JULY 10, 1897.-The annual excursion of the members was made on this date. The place selected for visiting was Lichfield, and the party left Manchester in glorious weather and high spirits, and after a pleasant run through some of the most delightful sylvan scenery anywhere to be found arrived at their destination about half-past twelve o'clock. Following luncheon at the Swan Hotel, the Cathedral was visited. The lovely structure was duly admired, and much interest shown in the magnificent fourteenth century architecture, the beautiful stained glass, the many monuments of prelates, warriors, literary men, and others, and the treasures of the library. The birthplace of the Great Cham of Literature was also inspected with peculiar interest, and the room in the Three Crowns where Dr. Johnson and his cronies ofttimes met, was deemed a fitting shrine wherein to do homage to the Lichfield ale, so justly praised in "The Beaux Stratagem." The

Johnson relics in the Museum received their meed of attention, and after five o'clock tea at the Swan the party returned, reaching Manchester at half-past eight o'clock, having heartily enjoyed a day full of sunshine and of associations dear to the lover of literature.

OPENING CONVERSAZIONE.

MONDAY, OCTOBER 4, 1897.-The Thirty-sixth Session of the Manchester Literary Club was opened by the customary conversazione, held in the Club's Room, at the Grand Hotel. The room was uncomfortably crowded, and only the early comers had the privilege of inspecting the small but interesting collection of oil paintings and water-colour drawings brought together for the occasion. The exhibitors included Miss Isabel Dacre, Miss Amy Haworth, Mr. Byron Cooper, and Mr. George Milner. The contribution of Mr. Milner comprised several sketches in water-colours of scenes on the coast of Anglesey. Mr. John Wilcock had charge of the musical and literary arrangements for the evening, and carried them through with satisfaction to all present. Those who took part in the programme included Miss Lillie Wormald, Messrs. A. S. Kinnell and Walter Lawley (singers), Miss Edith Robinson (violin), Mr. Herbert Yates (pianoforte), and Mr. Thornley Dodge (humorist). original literary contributions were given during the evening by Messrs. B. A. Redfern, J. D. Andrew, Thomas Kay, and Tinsley Pratt. There were also sung "A Ballad Melody" and "Self Knowledge," songs written by the President, and set to music by Mr. N. P. Thamsen. Mr. Redfern's contribution took the form of a playful rhyming on the syllabus of the coming session.

Short

The PRESIDENT (Mr. George Milner) took the chair at half-past seven o'clock, and delivered an address. After referring to the syllabus for the first half of the session, and the work done by various members during the recess or in progress, he went on to say that death had recently removed three old members, namely, Messrs. Morgan Brierley, Zachary Mellor (the old Town Clerk of Rochdale), and W. I. Wild, of Stockport. For some time considerable attention had been paid in the Club to foreign literature, and many papers of importance had been submitted to them. He might mention that Mr. Butterworth's paper on the Italian poet Carducci had attracted attention abroad, and notices of it had appeared in prominent journals, both in Italy and Germany. It would be admitted that such excursions beyond the limits of our own literature were desirable, and he was glad to announce that during the present session it was