# Midland Naturalist/Volume 01/Opening Address

About the foundation of the Union of Midland Natural History Societies in England.
The Midland Naturalist.
“Come forth into the light of things, Let Nature Le your teacher”
Wordsworth.
Opening Address.
The first idea of a Midland Union of Natural History Societies dales back about four years. Early in 1874 the Tamworth Natural History, Geological, and Antiquarian Society held a very successful soiree, in which the Birmingham Natural History and Microscopical Society took part. That meeting was in every way so satisfactory, and gave such proofs of the value of co-operation, that many who attended it expressed a desire for more instances of a like kind. Mr. W. G. Blatch, the then Honorary Secretary of the Birmingham Society, suggested that an Annual Congress should be held, and proposed the combination, in some way, of our Local Natural History Societies. Although the suggestion was favourably received and formed the subject of frequent conversations, and although it was generally admitted that an association of the kind can scarcely fail to be attended with valuable results, no practical step was immediately taken.
It was not till the 17th August, 1876, that anything definite was done. A proposal was then made, at a meeting of the Committee of the Birmingham Society, which resulted in the appointment of a sub-committee, (consisting of Messrs. Lawson Tait, John Morley, and James Bagnall,) which was requested to obtain information as to the possibility of forming a Union of the Natural History Societies of the Midland District. In the following October Mr. Blatch read the paper at a soiree of the Birmingham Society on “Suggestions for a Congress of Natural History Societies.” The Sub-committee, having reported on what had been ascertained, were further directed to proceed will the formation of the Union. In this matter considerable delay was caused by difficulties in obtaining information and in eliciting replies. Delegates having been Appointed by the various societies who were willing to join the Union, the Sub-committee summoned them together, and they met at the Midland Institute, Birmingham, on August 28th, 1877. At this meeting the basis of the Union was laid down, and a Council elected.
​The first meeting of the Council, composed of two representatives from each society, was held on the 16th October last, Mr. Edmund Tonks, B.C.L., presiding, and Mr. Lawson Tait acting as secretary. These gentlemen represented the Birmingham Natural History and Microscopical Society. There were also present the Rev. O. M. Feilden, M.A., (Hon. Sec. of the Oswestry and Welshpool Naturalists’ Field Club,) Mr. C. T. Musson, (Hon. See. of the Nottingham Naturalists’ Society,) Mr Egbert D. Hamel, (of the Tamworth Natural History, Geological, and Antiquarian Society,} Mr. Thos. Carter, LL.B. (Hon. Sec.,) and Mr. F. T. Mott, (of the Natural History Section of the Leicester Literary and Philosophical Society,) the Rev. W. Elliot, M.A., (Hon. Sec. of the Caradoc Field Club,) and Mr. G. U. Tripp, M.A., (Hon. Sec.,) and Rev. C. F. Thornewill, M.A. (of the Burton-on-Trent Natural History and Archæologieal Society. The following resolutions were passed:—1.—That the annual meetings of the Union be held in May. 2.—That the first annual meeting be held in connection with the Birmingham Natural History ant Microscopical Society. 3.—That each society in the Union shall, for the purpose of meeting necessary expenditure, contribute annually the sum of one penny per member, but societies whose members are less than 24 in number shall each contribute two shillings for the while of such society. 4.—That a monthly magazine, to he called the Midland Naturalist, be issued by the Union, and that Mr. E. W. Badger, of Birmingham, and Mr. W. J. Harrison, F.G.S., of Leicester, be appointed Editors. 5.—That the Editors of the Magazine be Hon. Secretaries of the Union, 6.—That Messrs. Thornewill and Tait be a Sub-committee to prepare bye-laws and report thereon. 7.—That Mr. Egbert D. Hamel be Treasurer of the Union. 8.—That the Secretary at each Society in the Union be requested ta ascertain, and communicate to the Editors, the number of members who will subscribe to the Magazine. 9—That Mr. Lawson Tait be authorised to issue a prospectus of the Midland Naturalist, and provide the Secretaries with a sufficient number for distribution among the members, 10.—That the best thanks of the Council be given to. Mr. Lawson Tait for his successful efforts, which have led co the formation of the Union.
The objects of the Union may be broadly stated to be to extend the usefulness of Local societies by affording facilities for inter-comunication through an authorised and regularly published magazine, which shall record the more important work done by them; announce their forthcoming meetings; and assist in the intercahnge of notes and specimens; and, by providing opportunities for personal intercourse among the members at meetings to be held from time do time in various places of interest, and in other ways, to promote the study of natural history, especially that of the midland district.
​The affairs of the Union will he managed by the Council, which consists of two members from each of the Societies, one of whom must be a Secretary; and the Secretaries of the Societies in the Union will form a Standing Committee to arrange for Joint Excursions, timely notice of which will be given in our pages,
The work proposed has been set about in a quiet, unostentatious manner, but we feel sure the results cannot fail to be important, if only the many earnest students resident in the central counties of England, will each do his own share of it.
The Societies already in the Union are the following:—
* Birmingham Natural History and Microscopical Society.
* Birmingham Philosophical Society.
* Birmingham School Natural History Society.
* Burton-on-Trent Natural History and Archælogical Society.
* Ceradoc Field Club.
* Derbyshire Naturalists' Society.
* Dudley and Midland Geological and Philosophical Society and Field Club.
* Leicester Literary and Philosophical Society.
* Northampton Naturalists' Society.
* Nottingham Literary and Philosophical Society.
* Nottingham Naturalists' Society.
* Rugby School Natural History Society.
* Oswestry and Welshpool Naturalists' Field Club.
* Severn Valley Naturalists' Field Club.
* Shropshire Archæological and Natural History Society.
* Stroud Natural History and Philosophical Society.
* Tamworth Natural History, Geological and Antiquarian Society.
One of the means which the Union intends to employ in effecting its objects is the monthly publication of the Midland Naturalist.
The preset it issue will afford a general notion of the character of future numbers, though we may fairly hope that many improvements will be made as experience is gained, and the circle of our contributors widens. We shall hope to be able to secure for each month well written original articles; short items of science news; meteorological and other observations; brief reports of the recent work done by each Society; a diary of coining meetings and excursions; queries and answers to them; correspondence, and other matters.
But we cannot hope to do this single-handed. We wish to interest all our subscribers, and to do this we shall want a large amount of help. We, therefore, solicit the communication ​of short original articles of general interest, from students of every branch of Natural History. Microscopy, &c. We shall be glad to receive brief notes of original observations on arty subject suitable for our pages, and shill be grateful for judicious hints and suggestions.
At preset, whenever a good paper is read before one of our local societies its usefulness is too often limited to the members of that society, and generally to that part of them who chance to hear it read. By printing such papers, or abstracts of them, in this magazine, their usefulness will be widely extended, and all the Societies may benefit by them; while to the younger members, and the less informed generally, they may prove of incalculable advantage by aiding then in studies already entered upon, or pointing out suitable ones to engage in.
We should like our readers to bear in wind that this magazine is not intended to supersede or in any way to interfere with the publication of Transactions by individual societies. We shall on the contrary aid in making them known.
Occasionally reviews of new scientific books will occupy part of our space, and we hope to have it in our power to aid such of our Societies as recognise local antiquities and archæology as part of their work.
The publication of a diary of coming meetings and excursions ought to prove most useful, and if members generally will send their names as subscribers for the magazine they will justify their Societies in ceasing to issue their monthly programmes, the cost and postage of which at present forms a considerable item in the sum of incidental expenditure; especially in the larger Societies.
If this magazine is to boa permanent publication we must secure a good circulation. We therefore ask the cordial co-operation of our subscribers by assisting us among their friends. In helping us they will he helping themselves. If every reader of this first number who approves of our labours and object will be good enough to obtain for us at least another subscriber he will materially aid us in our endeavours, and increase our power of making the magazine a useful medium for intercourse between naturalists of all classes in the Midland Counties,
Meteorology.—In future numbers it will be our aim to present as complete a record as possible of, at all events, the Temperature and Rainfall in the Midland Counties. All observers who can aid in this matter are requested to communicate with Mr. W. J. Harrison. Town Museum. Leicester, who will forward forms on which to record observations.
This work was published before January 1, 1930, and is in the public domain worldwide because the author died at least 100 years ago.
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