 The slow progress of the BEA in its early years may be explained by the difficulties in establishing a financially viable association and journal.Membership fluctuated considerably in the first ten years, rising to a high of 750 members in 1893-4 before falling by around 40 per cent between 1892 and 1900.During this period, it was necessary to reconsider the printing arrangements of the Journal to ensure the financial stability of the association.