Sir, - The Belfast Literary Society was founded in 1801 by a group of gentlemen of the town with an interest in the arts, sciences, history and literature.
It was, and still is, the custom of members to meet monthly during the autumn and winter to hear and discuss a paper read by one of their number on an appropriate subject in these areas.
The society will mark its bicentenary on October 21, 2001 and, as honorary secretary, I should be grateful for the courtesy of your columns to contact comparable societies, similar in age, in the Republic of Ireland. - Yours, etc.,
Peter Froggatt, 3 Strangford Avenue, Belfast 9.