According to the Society’s book-plate, which was engraved by George Vertue, after a design submitted to him by Maurice Johnson, the date of the institution of the Society is 1710. This date is also frequently referred to by the founder as that of its institution. In March 1711, the _Spectator_ came out, and was duly read here as the _Tatter_ had been. “From the time of its first foundation in 1709,” says Johnson, “it was only a meeting at a coffee-house upon trial, how such a designe might succeed, to the time when it was fixed upon yᵉ rules signed and subscribed in 1712. Yet I constantly kept every paper communicated to the company, and read and left there, tho’ these being for the most, part printed papers no minutes were made thereof. Upon the proposal being signed or subscribed, I attempted taking minutes, that some account might appear to be serviceable for conducting this good design and assisting other gentlemen, my acquaintance and friends in Lincoln City, Peterborough, Stamford, Boston, Oundle, Wisbech, and elsewhere, to institute and promote the like design and hold correspondence with us. In some places this succeeded.” Proposals for the carrying on of the Society having been submitted on November 3, 1712, the same were on that day agreed to, and the Rev. Stephen Lyon, minister of Spalding and rector of Mereworth, in Kent, was elected the first president. On January 5, 1712/3, Mr. William Ambler was, on the proposal of Mr. Lyon, elected to succeed him; and, it having been proposed to elect a secretary “to minute their proceedings, and keep all papers, &c., in good order for the furtherance of their laudable design,” the Society elected to that post Mr. Maurice Johnson, “who very willingly accepted that office.” At the meeting held on 2nd February the Rev. John Wareing, headmaster of the Grammar School, was elected president for the month of February; but, he being much indisposed, Mr. Johnson, senr., was on the 25th elected president for a month. The Rev. S. Lyon was again chosen to act as president from 25th March, but on the 30th of the same month it was decided that, as so frequent a change was not beneficial to the Society, the president should remain in office “_quam diu se bene gesserit_.” This year the _Lay Monk_ and _Memoirs of Literature_ were taken in. A resolution was also passed for the admission of extra-regular or honorary members, to the number of fourteen, each of whom was to give to the library of the church a book or books to the value of one pound. In 1715-16 a little room in the old part of the parsonage-house was fitted up, and by favour of the Rev. Timothy Neve (subsequently Prebendary of Lincoln and of Peterborough, and Archdeacon of Huntingdon), who hired that part, the Society met there at the usual times, until the number of members having increased they were obliged to find a larger room, and agreed to take one in the “Markett-stead.”