Vol 55

18 Eileen MBowltFig 2. St Botolph 's, Bishopsgate Street where the Rev Thomas Hugo was vicar 1852-8 (From Walford's 'Old and NewLondon')The objects of the Society were all embracing,'to collect, record and publish information onthe Topography, Ancient Arts and Monumentsof the Cities of London and Westminster and thecounty of Middlesex'; to preserve 'antiquitiesdiscovered in the progress of works, such asExcavations for Railways, Foundations of Buildingsetc'; to prevent injury to monumentsand ancient buildings and to collect accuratedrawings and descriptions of them; and tofound a museum for the reception of works andobjects of archaeological interest connected withLondon and Middlesex.'To fulfil these designs, periodical meetingswere to be held in the Cities of London andWestminster and soon after its foundation theSociety started making excursions to variouslocations in the county. Meetings were alsoheld where communications could be readand antiquities exhibited by members andtheir friends. The appointment of an HonoraryPhotographer, Professor Philip H Delamotte,in March 1856 was a practical step towardsrecording the changing scene. The last officialphotographer was H E Chiosso from 1938-62.At first there was no particular meeting placefor the General Meetings (as opposed to CouncilMeetings). They were held in places where aSociety member either worked or had influence.The first two were held in Crosby Hall and thethird in the French Gallery, Pall Mall.MEMBERS AND THEIR COLLECTIONSMany of the members did indeed have collectionsfrom which objects could be brought tomeetings for exhibition and discussion. SallyBrooks has shown that the membership (191 in1855, rising to 395 in 1857) was drawn mainlyfrom the male middle classes, with about 40%having a professional qualification, amongwhom was a scattering of clergy with antiquarianinterests, who played a particularly large part inthe life of the Society.^ A high proportion were