ties; as a body in the welfare of which, in the opinions of many, the interests of British scie

BECOMING A FELLOW O

tions of a Fellow of the Royal Society; but, for years, the p

scientific achievement, however small, he is quite sure of being elected as a matter of course. If, on the other hand, he has unfortunately written on any subject connected with science, or is supposed to be acquainted with any branch of it, the members begin to inquire what he has done to deserve the honour; and, unless

ciety, may try again; and even after being twice black-balled, if he will a third time condescend to express his desire to become a member, he may perhaps succeed, by the aid of a hard canvass. In such circumstances, the odds are much in favo

real science from entering the Society, and is a very severe tax on those who do so; for very few indeed of the cultivators of science rank amongst the wealthy classes. Several times, whilst I have been consulting books or papers at Somerset House, persons have called to ask

PRESIDENCY AND V

ociety I cannot precisely say. Let him who penned, and

as Re

far the most fit person to be proposed to the Society at the approach

ard upon the rest of the Society; but to resolve that he was "BY FAR THE MOST FIT" was only consistent with that strain of com

e, in the least degree, acquainted with him: that he is fit for the chair of the Royal Society,

s for the improvement of the Royal Society. Instead of himself proposing resolutions, he might have been, what a chairman ought to be, the organ of the body over which he presides. By the firmness of his own conduct he might have taugh

powerful chief of a united republic,-that of science,-he has grasped at despotic power, and stands the feeble occupant of its desolated kingdom, tre

and this circumstance caused a difficulty in finding a Treasurer:

tuation, he became, EX OFFICIO, a Member of the Board of Longitude; and a vacancy occurred, which ought to have been filled up by the President and Council. But when this subject was brought before them, in defiance of common sense, and the plain meaning of the act

ar; but the Board of Longitude was dissolved, otherwise we migh

of science or of the Society that its officers should be so circumstanced as to have an apparent and direct interest in supporting the existing Presi

OF THE SECR

say that the mild excellencies of his heart have prevented the Royal Society from deriving the whole of that advantage from his varied knowledge and liberal sentiments which some might perhaps have anticipated; and many will agree with me in regretting that his judgment has not directed a larger portion of the past deeds of

rmer period one of our Secretaries the conductor of a scientific journal; and this is one of the points in which I can agree with those who now manage the affairs of the Society. [These observations were written previous to the late appointment, t

ts both of obedience and command, which are essential in military life, are little fitted for that perfect freedom which should reign in the councils of science. If a military chief commit an oversight or an error, it is necessary, in order to retain the confidence of those he commands, to conceal or mask it as much as possible. If an experimentalist make a mistake, his only course to win the confidence of his fellow-labourers in science, and

the accuracy of their observations as it is to doubt their word. Nothing can be more injurious to science than that such an opinion should be tolerated. The most unreserved criticism is necessary for truth; and those suspicions respecting his own accuracy, which every philosophical experimenter will entertain concerning his

of observations, has been so well expressed by Mayer, that I shall conc

reddere publice, ut aliis quoque copia sit judicandi, quanta fides habenda conclusionibus ex nostris observationibus deductis aut deducendis. Hoc cum minus fecissent precedentis saeculi

which, having been on some occasions apparently neglected, it may be here the proper place to mention

having printed a volume of Astronomical Observations which were made at the Observatory of Paramatta (Ne

e of them are personally his own. Yet has the Royal Society, in adopting them as part of its Transactions, omitted all mention, either in their title-page, preface, or in any part of the volume, of the FACT that the world owed these valuable observations to the enlightened munificence of Lieutenant-General Sir Thomas Brisbane; whose ardent zeal in the pursuit of science induc

een publicly stated that confidence cannot be placed in the written minutes of the Society; and an instance has been adduced, in whi

e Royal Society. I have examined them, and shall state them before I enter on the reasoning

aufort I know, from other evidence which need not be produced here, as the omission of the latter name is the charge that has been made.], and that of Captain Beaufort is not found. [Any gentleman may satisfy himself that this is not a mistake of the Assistant Secretary's, in copying, by consulting the rough minutes of that meeting of the Council, which it might perhaps be as well to write in a rough minute-book, inst

n the evening of that day, informed Capt. Beaufort that he was placed on the house list; and that officer, with the characteristic openness

ry-this has always been opposed by Mr. Gilbert, and those who support him. Now, it has been stated, that, at the meeting of the Council on the 26th of November, the President took out of his pocket a bit of paper, from which he read the names of several persons as fit to be on the Council for the ensuing year;-that it was not understood that any motion was made, and it is certain that none was seconded, nor was any ballot taken o

one withdrawn. Such was the natural and open course; but this would have exposed to the Society the weakness of those who manage it. If the rough minutes of each meeting of the Council were read over before it separated, and were copied previously to the next meeting, such a substitution could hardly have occurred; but, unfortunately, this is not the case, an

on be ever quoted hereafter to prove that the Council of 1829 really discussed the persons to be recommended as their successors,

F THE SCIENT

red, I know not; but, low as has been for years its character for independence, and fallen as the Royal Society is in public estimation, it could scarcely be prepared for this last insult. In order to inform the public and the Society, (for I

wo universities, and the Astronomer Royal, who had some knowledge, and who were paid 100L. a year for their attendance;-of three honorary members of the Royal Society, who combined the qualifications of the two preceding classes

newable at the pleasure of the Admiralty. This Board was abolished by another act of parliament, on the ground that it was useles

ALTY

ber 1

7th of last month; explaining that the salaries heretofore allowed to the Resident Commissioners of the Board of Longitude, and to the Superintendents of the Nautical Almanac, and of Chronometers, shall

m,

bedient hum

AT THE COUR

ctober

ES

Excellent Maje

m the Right Honourable the Lords Commissioners of the Admira

by your Order in Council of the 27th of May, 1828, most graciously pleased to direct, that the three said Resident Commissioners should be paid at the rate of 100L. a year each; and by your further Order in Council, of the 31st October, 1818, that the Superintendent of the Nautical Almanac should be allowed a salary of 300L., and the Superintendent of Chronometers 100L. a year; and, whereas, the act above mentioned has been repealed, and the Board of Longitude abolished; and doubts have therefore arisen, whether the said Orders in Council shall still continue in force; and whereas it is expedient that the said appointments be continued; We beg leave most humbly to submit to your Majesty, that your Majesty may be

h the advice of his Privy Council, to approve thereof and the Right Honourable the Lord

) JAMES

ons from among the Council of the Royal Society, who were to h

scape the remarks of some of the members, and a kind of mild remon

F THE ROYAL SOCIETY

th of November last, it be represented to them that inconvenience may arise from the plan therein specified, from the circumstance of all the memb

ollowing letter from the S

OFFICE, DE

ience which may arise from the intended plan of limiting their Lordships' choice of members of the Resident Committee of Scientific Advice to the Council of the Royal Society, that their Lordships were induced to recommend this plan to his Majesty as a mark of respect to the Society, and as a pledge to the public of the qualification of the persons chosen. Nor did their Lordships apprehend any inconvenience from the circumstance stated in the Minute of the Council, of the Members being annually

el, to continue to fill this office; and to Dr. Young, who had resigned it, on rece

Your obedie

BAR

are composed, might have spared the bitter irony of making their Lordships say, that they recommended this plan "AS A MARK OF RESPECT TO THE SOCIETY," and "AS A PLEDGE TO THE PUBL

to the Admiralty for deriving profit from his counsel. Thus then their Lordships, as a "MARK OF RESPECT FOR THE SOCIETY" confirm the dependence of the Council on the President, by making his nomination a qualification for place, and establish a new dependence of the same Counc

ink of this mark of respect, or what value the public may

rom the possibility of some of those who were placed there by way of compliment, occasionally attending. In that contracted field Lord Melville's penetration m

selected, to judge of the merits of the various subjects likely to be brought under the consideration of the Society, anatomy, chemistry, and the different branches of natural history, will share with the numerous departments of physical

e deservedly high reputation rests chiefly on his physical and experimental inquiries, and whom the President

nt, when he forms his Council, may decline naming those members who are most fit for such situations. Or, on the other hand, some of those members who are best qualified for them, from their k

entlemen who have been on the Council. The refusals are, notwithstanding the Preside

he public, and without the slightest reference to the individuals who may have refused or accep

aving considered it, they must have arrived at a different conclusion from mine. There may, however, be arguments which I have overlooked, and a discussion of them must ul

s of the Society have been led to believe the objections have been removed. Several Fellows of the Society, who knew these facts, thought it inexpedient ever to vote for placing any gentleman on the Council who had accepted these situations;

the Act, immediately refused the situations. Dr. Young became one of the Advisers; and Captain Sabine and Mr. Faraday were appointed by the Admiralty

CS ASTRONOMY, AND NAVIGATION." Of the fitness of the gentlemen who now hold those situations to pronounce judgment on mathematical questions, the public will be better able to form an opinion when they shall have communicated to the world any of their own mathematical inquiries. Although it is the practice to consider that acceptance of office is alone necessary to qualify a man for a statesman, a similar doctrine has not yet prevailed in the world

means of transport for the purpose of these inquiries, placed at Captain Sabine's disposal means superior to those which amateurs can generally afford, whilst the industry with

ed by those most conversant with the respective processes, as it was creditable to one who had devoted but a few years

ss how to make, even under more favourable circumstances, similarly concordant observations. The same opinion prevailed on the continent as well as in England. On whatever subject Captain Sabine touched, the observations he published seemed by their accuracy to leave former observers at a distance. The methods of us

alty, then in another to the Ordnance; and several of the same persons, in their other capacity, as members of the Board of Longitude, after voting him a THOUSAND POUNDS for these observations, are said to have again recommended him to the Master-General of the Ordnance. That an officer, com

write, and nobody will attend; its medals have lost their lustre; and even the Institute of France may find that theirs cannot confer immortality. That learned body is in the habit of making most interesting and profound reports on any memoirs communicated to it; nothing escapes the penetration of their committees appointed for such purposes. Surely,

y to two points; one, the transit observations, I shall allude to, because I may perhaps show the kind of feeling that exists respecting them, and possibly en

the distances of those wires equal, the intervals of time occupied by the star in passing from one to the other, ought to be precisely the same. As

early one-fourth, which have the intervals between all the wires agreeing to the same, the tenth of a second. At Sierra Leone, nineteen out of seventy-two have the same accord

lf foot transit, in which about one-eleventh part of them only have this degree of accuracy; and it should be observe

f accordance. In thirty-three of the Greenwich observations of January, 1828, fifteen have this agreement, or five-elevenths; but this is with a ten-feet transit. Now in none of these instances do the ti

e lowest unity employed the greater will be the apparent agreement amongst the differences. Thus, if, in the transit of stars near the pole, the times of passing the wires were only registered to the nearest minute, the intervals would almost certainly be equal. There is another circumstance, about which there is some difficulty. It is understood that the same instrument,-the thirty-inch transit, was employed by Lieutenant Foster;

d seem to follow that the use of a chronometer renders a transit m

the Board of Longitude, for the express purpose of ascertaining how far repeating instruments might be diminished

from the "Pendulum Exp

rrying a telescope of seven inches focal length, and one inch aperture; and of practically ascertaining the degree of accuracy which might be retained, whilst the portability of the instrument should be increased, by a r

nsive experience and great skill of the distinguished persons who conducted the French observations, the comparison will scarcely appear to the disadvantage of the smaller circle, even if extended generally through all the stations of the present volume; but if it be particularly directed to Maranham and Spitzbergen,-at which stations the partial results were more numerous than elsewhere, and obtained with especial regard to every circumstance by wh

a smaller image enabling a less precise contact or bisection, and of an arch of less radiu

iameter, with those made by the French astronomers at Formentera, with a repeating circle of forty-one centi-metres, or about sixteen inches in diameter, made by Fortin. It is singular that this instrument was directed, by the Frenc

f Polaris, merely because the number of sets of observations are rather fewer. The difference between the extremes of th

eating circle, 16 inches diameter.-BASE D

titude Names

ons. of F

min

39 55.

54.7

6.2

6.9

56.7

4.9

56.5

57.1

4.5

3.3

3.6

3.8

3.7

5.6

4.1

3.9

ervations, 38deg

e with a six-inch repeat

r of Latitu

tions.

min

8 2 31 42.4

rae 12 4

onis 10 4

rae 12 4

gni 12 4

uris 12

from 66 observations

the greater number of the sets in the French observations, let any six, in succession, of those sets be taken, and compared with the six English sets; and it will be found that in no one instance is the greatest deviation from the mean of the whole of the observations less than in those of Maranham. It must also be borne in mind, that by the latitude deduced by the mean of 1250 superior culminations of Polaris by the same observer

his observations; for, supposing the skill of the observers equal, it seems a necessary consequence that "the performance of the six-inch circl

econd each, were, in fact, more nearly equal to eleven seconds, each one being 10.9sec. This circumstance rendered necessary a recalculation of all the observations made with that instrument: a re-calculation which I am not aware Captain Sabine has ever thought it necessary to publish. [Above two

y alteration in his opinion as to the comparative merits of great and small instruments, it might have been expected from a gentlema

ask, perhaps a few remarks from one who has no pretensions to familiarity

the latitudes as correct

r Latitude L

corrected

error o

c. deg.min

irius 8 29 27.

Centuri 7 55 46

ae 12 59 19.4

e 21.2 58

nis 22.4

Lyrae 2 31 42.

ae 43.8

vonis 4

ae 44.6

ni 42.1

ris 42.2

nar 10 38 56.1

ris 52.2

r 59.3

is 17 56 8.6

3.

40 42 40.1

48.9 3

1.4 4

Min. 42.3

un 70 40 5.3

un 79 49 56.1

.9 44.

8.6 5

9.3 5

5.8 5

1.5 5

74 32 19.9 7

7.9 1

63 25 51.3 6

Min. 57.2

ESPECIAL REGARD TO EVERY CIRCUMSTANCE BY WHICH THEIR ACCURACY MIGHT BE AFFECTED," and where "A MORE THAN USUAL ATTENTION WAS BESTOWED," it appears, that if we take Captain Sabine's own test, namely, "the differences

latitudes, the differences between the different sets of observations is so considerable as naturally to excite some fear of latent error, more especially as nearly the greatest discordance arises from the same star, Alph.Lyrae, observed after an interval of only three days.

true latitude of a place being determined by sets of

tude

observed. compu

t. Sab

sec. deg

th Aug.... 2 3

29th Aug..

s, 29th Aug

31st Aug..

31st Aug..

, 2d Sept..

The circumstance of the number of divisions of the level being almost arbitrary within limits, might perhaps be alleged as diminishing this extraordinary

ed to diminish the differences between the partial results, and that at the ninth station it only increased it by a small fraction of a second, I cannot help feeling that it is more probable even that Captain Kater, with all his admitted skill, and that Captain

. PAR MM. BIOT ET ARAGO, which forms the fourth volume of the BASE DU SYSTEME METRIQUE.] are filled with the details relative to the determination of the value of the divisions of the level. It would also have been satisfactory, with such an important object in view, to have read off some of the sets after each pair of observations, in order to see how far the system of repetition made the results gradually converge to a limit, and in order to know how many repetit

e would be bold indeed who, after so wonderful an instance of the effect of chance as I have been just discussing, should venture to pronounce another such ac

e weight of their authority to support observations which are now found to be erroneous. They have thus held up for imitation observations which may induce hundreds of meritorious officers to throw aside their instruments, in the despair

admit of a doubt, that it is unwise to crown it with official authority, and thus expose the

ASTRONOMY, AS LITTLE BETTER THAN PLAYTHINGS," [Memoirs of the Astronomical Society, Vol.I. p.53.] to have been rejected without the most carefully detailed experiments. There were amongst that body, persons who must have examined minutely the work on the Pendulum. Captain Kater must have felt those difficulties in the perusal of it which other observers have experienced; and he who was placed in the Board of Longitude

qual to one second, never thought that a doubt could exist on the subject, and made all his calculations accordingly. When Captain Kater made him acquainted with the mistake, Lieutenant Foster immediately communicated a paper [The paper of Lieutenant Foster is printed in the Philosophical Transactions, 1827, p.122, and is worth consulting.] to t

NION OF SEVERAL OFF

small, yet it has somewhat singularly happened, that instances of one individual, holding more than on

ctor of Chronometers, and Superi

absence from his regiment; Secretary of the Royal

e, &c. to the East-India Company; Lecturer on Materia Medica, Apothecaries' Hall; Superintending Chemical Operator at di

nd that gentlemen cannot be found to execute the offices separately at the salaries offered; or else, that it is

or would a superintendent of the Nautical Almanac, if he made a point of being acquainted with every thing connected with his subject, find his situation at all a sinecure. Slight as are the duties of the Foreign Secretary of the Royal Society, it might have been supp

should contribute to this galaxy of glory, that the Royal Society should restore the lost Pleiad [Pleiades, an assemblage of seven stars in the neck of the constellation Taurus. There are now only six of them visible to the naked eye.-HUTTON'S DICTIONARY-Art. Pleiades.] to the admiring science of Europe. But he could discover no kindred name amongst the ranks of his supporters, and forgot, for a moment, the interest of the Society, in an amiable consid

THE FUNDS OF

ng to poverty, it may be useful to offer a few r

known. That many of those engravings are quite essential for the papers they illustrate, and that those papers are fit for the Transactions, I do not doubt; but,

t so minute as in the succeeding ones. Since 1810, there have occurred 187 plates attached to papers of the same author. Many of these have cost from twelv

5 =

12 =

---....

mitted to doubt whether such a large sum might not have been expended in a manner more beneficial to science. Not being myself conversant with those subjects, I can only form an opinion of the value from extraneous circumstances. Had their importance been at all equal to their number,

s, about an hundred pounds. On the other hand, when the Council lent Sir E. Home the whole of those valuable plates to take off impressions for his large work on Comparative Ana

l mention this circumstance, becau

nature of this item. Happening to be on the Council the next year, I took an opportunity, at an early meeting of that Cou

courses, about to be printed by Mr. Murray, be pu

AD AGREED TO PURCHASE THESE VOLUMES AT THAT PRICE, IN ORDE

answer was quite unsatisfactory, a

s, or twenty sheets, and the fo

s.

nd printing tw

et.........

paper, at 3L. pe

terations, &c..

f 500 copies

ler to print it on his own account. Here, then, was a sum of above two hundred pounds beyond what was necessary for the object, taken from the funds of the Royal Society; and for what purpose? Did the President and his officers ever condescend to explain this transaction to the Council; or were they expected, as a matter of course, to sanction any thing proposed to them? Could they have been so weak, or so obe

price is 15s. 3d.) and out of the five hundred copies twenty-seven only have been sold: the remainder encumber our

bservations is not paid for out of the funds of the Royal Society, yet as the Council of that bod

n making inquiry, he ascertained that there were two tons and a half to be disposed of, and that an equal quantity had already been sold, for the purpose of converting it into pasteboard. The vendor said he could

nation spends on science, regret that the sums allotted to it should not be applied with the strictest economy. If the Astronomer Royal really has a right to these volumes, printed by the government at a large expense, it is, perhaps, the most extravagant mode which was ever yet invented of paying a public servant. When that right was giv

rvations prior to 1823.] When I consider that practical astronomy has not occupied a very prominent place in my pursuits, I feel disposed, on that ground, to acquiesce in the propriety of the refusal. This excuse can, however, be of no avail for similar refusals to other gentlemen, who applied nearly at the same time with myself, and whose time had been successfully devoted to the cultivation of that science. [M. Bessel, at the wish of the Royal Academy of Berlin, projected a plan for making a very extensi

nd, if their own acquirements are confessedly insufficient to keep up the high authority of their office, they must submit to the mortifications of their false position. I am sure, therefore, that the President and officers of the Roya

Royal Society, was insufficient to supply the demands made on them by various learned bodies in Europe; and, consequently, they were unable, however great their inclination, to satisfy the wishe

aries of State, wrote to the Council a letter, dated Whiteh

,) which may at any time remain in the hands of the printer, shall, after you have reserved such copies as you may think proper as presents, be given to the said Nevil Maskelyne, in consideration of his trouble in the

etter, I find on

tions, last published, be retained as presents, and

ation of this order, and I believe none exists. This is confirmed by the circumstance of the Council at the present day receiving precisely the

er; but when they found out the purpose to which the Astronomer Royal applied them, they ought immediately to have ordered nearly the whole impression, in order to prevent this destruction of public property. If, on the other hand, the above order is revoked, and we really have no right to more than sixty copies; then, on discovering the Obs

lp expressing my belief, that the President and Council were induced to be thus negligent of the

so great as the public might have feared. Mr. Pond, than whom no one can be supposed better acquainted with their value, and whose right to judge

ject by no means grateful to the memory of any of the parties concerned in it. My object is to ascertain, whether any amendments have taken place in consequence. To one fact of considerable importance, I was myself a witness, when I

OF THE RO

Majesty intimated to the Royal Society, through his Secretary of State, his intention to found two gold medals, of the value of fifty gu

the copy of Mr.

, Decembe

I

be awarded as honorary premiums, under the direction of the President and Council of the Royal Society, in such a manner as shall, by t

tions which it may be convenient to establish with regard to the appropriation of the medals; and I have, therefore, to request that you

r to be, &c. &c.

ew era, and the energies which it might have awakened were immense. The unfettered nature of the gift excited admiration, whilst the confidence reposed in the Council was calculated to have insured the wavering faith of an

appears that the President communicated that resolution, on the 26th, to Mr. Peel, i

the award of the Royal medals were

anuary

OLV

most important discoveries or series of investigations, completed and ma

hould not be limited to British subjects. And they propose, if it should be

should be struck upon each found

ciety, prepared for office by the education of a pleader, could not have mystified his brethren so completely, as to have made them doubt on the point of time. The rul

he munificent endowment of their Patron: and when his approbation of the laws which were to govern the distribution of these medals had been intimated to the Council, such

ward of these medals: it is re

er 16,

, Esq. President of the Philosophical and Literary Society, Manchester, for his development

paper on Astronomical Refractions, published in the Philosophical Transactio

of double stars, and his paper on the discordances between the sun's

, and in direct violation of these laws, award them to two philosophers, one of whom had made, and fully established, his great discovery almost twenty yea

the obedient Council only used to register the edict of their President? Or were they

truth had no part in the decision, yet the Society and the public will justly attribute a

t decision on the Royal medals, and that it might perhaps be more discreet to adjudge them, for the first time, in accordance with the laws which had been made fo

been pledged to the Society and to the public? and, did the Council, intent on exercising a power so rarely committed to them; and, perh

tacked on other grounds; for, with a strange neglect, the Council had taken no pains to make known,

d by our Royal Patron. In the next place, the medals themselves became almost worthless from this original taint: and they ceased to excite "competition amongst men of

medy the evil is now a matter of comparatively little consequence: had I found any serious disposition to set it right, I should readily have aided in any plans for doing that which I felt myself bound to attempt, even though I should stand alone, as I had the

y, as equally binding in honour and in justice, I viewed the decision of the Council, which assigned those medals to Mr. Dalton and Mr. Ivory, as void, IPSO FACTO, on the ground that it was dire

he 16th of November, 1826, being contrary to the co

ope of the Council that this, the only method which is open to them of honourably fulfilling their pledges, will be received by those gentlemen as a mark of the high sense entertained by the Council

thing was more easy than to set it right. As the original rules for giving the medals were merely an order of the Council,-it would only be necessary to alter them, and then the award would agree perfectly with the laws. On the other ha

show that the feelings of that body do not harmonize with those of the age; and furnishes some explanation why several of the most active

ppens that the deeds of the Council are rarely known to the body of the Society, and, indeed, scarcely extend beyond that small portion who frequent the weekly meetings. These pages will perhaps afford t

OF THE CO

their rarity are very different in degree. To make and to repeat observations, even with those trifling alterations, which it is the fashion in our country (in the present day) to dignify with the name of discoveries, requires merely inflexible candour in recording precisely the facts which nature has presented, and a power of fixing the attention on the instruments employed, or phenomena examined,-a talent, which can be much improved by proper Instruction, and which is

, does not require any very profound acquirements, is not an opinion which I should

ference to the Assistants necessary for the two mural circles, we find a lette

st call them, although they are drudges of a superior order), men who will be contented to pass half their day in usin

for their encouragement. The Royal Society have never marked this difference, and consequently those honorary medals which are given to observation

only ground of objection to the mode of appropriating the Society's medals. The first objection to be noticed, is the indistinct man

ther communications," which comes in as the frequent tail-piece to these awards. With a diffidence in their own powers, which might be more admired if it were more frequently expressed, the Council think to escape t

ossessors of the new ones. I shall, doubtless, be told that the Council of the Royal Society are persons of such high feeling, that it is impossible to suppose their decision could be influenced by any personal motives. As I may not have had sufficient opportunities, d

:-"And I hereby empower the said President, Council, and Fellows, after my decease, in furtherance of the above declared objects of the trust, to apply the said dividends to a

o decide on its merits. These trifles have not always been attended to; and even so lately as the last year, they escaped the notice of the President and his Council. The Society was, however, indebted to the good sense of Mr. Faraday, who declined the proffered medal; and thus relieved us from one additional charge of precipitancy

award of any medals or to the decision of any other important subjects, the statutes relating to them. He might perhaps propitiate their attenti

ps be learned respecting a few of these medals. Concerning those of which I have had good means of information, I shall merely state-of three of

a peculiarly inappropriate time-

r TO DESTROY THE IMPRESSION WHICH THE AWARD OF THE M

n to C, "BECAUSE WE THI

ode of rendering platina malleable. Respecting, as I did, the illustrious philosopher who invented the art, and who has left m

The products of genius are the actual creations of the individual; and, after yielding profit or honour to him, they remain the permanent endowments of the human race. If the institutions of our country, and the opinions of society, support us

steries they have penetrated, and by applying their knowledge to the production of some substance in demand in commerce, thus mi

and by allowing mankind to participate with them, to claim at once that splendid reputat

hen the discoverer, having published his process, en

perish with him, the world have no right to complain. During his life, they prof

have been the feeble expressions of the sentiments of mankind towards those who have preferred the other course. But these have been, and should always be, ke

ected that course for which no reasonable man could blame him; and from some circumstance, or perhaps from accident, he preserved no written record of the manipulations. Had Providence appointed for that disorder, which terminated too fatally, a more rapid career, all the knowledge he had acqu

estow on it their medal? To talk of adding lustre to the name of Wollaston by their medal, is to talk idly. They must have done it th

justice to the merits of the Prussian philosopher, when it was suggested that its medal should be given to Dr. Wollaston, and they immediately altered their intention, and thus enabled themselves to reserve their medal to Professor Mitscherlick for another year; at which period, for aught they knew, his discoveries might possess the additional merit

been unjustly dealt, to those who have reproached the philo

an will want food for his body, and the philosopher be destitute of tools for his inventions? Had he been, as, from the rank he held in science, he certainly would have been in other kingdoms, rich in the honours his country could bestow, and receiving from her a reward in some measure commensu

F THE FAIRCH

ral subscriptions, and 100L. 3 per cent. South Sea Annuities was purchased, the interest of wh

I shall merely observe, that for five years, from 1800 to 1804, it was regularly given to Mr. As

s purpose, it would be desirable that it should be delivered at some church or chapel, more likely to be attended by members of the Royal Society. Notice of it should be given at the place of worship appointed, at least

and the Society might always find in its numerous list of members or aspirants, persons well qualified to fulfil a task as beneficial for the promotion of true religion, as it ever must be for the in

d their claim to the character of indisputable facts. But, I will not press this subject further on my reader's attention, lest he should think I am myself delivering the lecture. All that I could have said on this point has been so much more ably stated by one whose enlightened view of geological science has taken

OF THE CROON

essay on the subject of Muscular Motion. It is a little to be regretted, that it should have been so restricted; and perhaps its fo

ed not here be traced, this has not been the custom-one individual has monopolized it year after year, and it seems, like the Fairchild Lecture, rather to have been regarded as a pension. There have, however, been some intervals;

SES OF THE PRESENT STA

regretted, its declining fame; and even those who support whatever exi

traced to years of misrule to which it has been submitted. In order to understand this, it will

members on their entering the room, and thus passed into the balloting box. If these lists were, as in other scientific societies, openly discussed in the Council, and then offered by them as recommendations to the Society, little inconvenience would arise; but the f

stances has been the most usual mode of meeting measures they disapproved. The great object of this, as of all other parties, has been to maintain itself in power, and to divide, as far as it could, all the good things amongst its members. It has usually consisted of persons of very moderate talent, who have had the prudence, whenever they could, to associate with themselves other members of greater ability, provided these latter would not oppose the

r hurt by the injuries or insults of the Council, show signs of remonstrance, it is immediately suggested to him that he is irritated, and ought to wait until his feelings subside, and he can judge more coolly on the subject; whilst with becoming candour they admit the ill-treatment, but urge forbearance. If, after an interval, when reflection has had ample time to operate, the offence seems great as at first, or the insult appears unmitigated by any circumstances on which memory can dwell,-if it is then brought forward, the immediate answer is, The affair is out of date-the thing is gone by-it is too late to call in question a transaction so long past. Thus, if a man is interested personally, he is unfit to question an abuse; if he is not, is it probable that he will quest

diately contended that they can deceive nobody, because of their magnitude. Perhaps it might be of some use, if the Council would oblige the world with their SCALE of ERROR, with illustrations from some of the

molument small in amount; but the proper disposition of them is, neverthele

be the high opinion they must necessarily entertain of the penetration of him who could discover their scientific merits. He might also place in the list a few nobles or officials, just

star or two of science to shed lustre over the whole, a very manageab

l to those of the same officers who, in several societies, give their gratuitous aid; and their lab

ecretary ...

ecretary, 10

Indexto Phil. T

Secretary...

e Society. To notice only one instance: the late Sir Joseph Banks appointed a gentleman who remained for years in that situation, although he was confessedly ignorant of every subject connected with the pursuits of the Society. I will, however, do justice to his memory, by saying that his respectability

re appointed by the President; and in this re

President ought not to usurp the power of his appointment, which ought, a

ecently another has been added, who may perhaps be called a, Sub-assi

ssion, a President of the Royal Society, in the Board-room of the British Museum, is quite as likely as another person to sacrifice his public duty to the influence of power, or to private friendship. With respect to the merits of that Institution, I have no inclination at present to inquire: but when it is considered that there is at this moment attached to it no one whose observations or whose writings have placed him even in the second rank amongst the naturalists of Europe, the President o

source of patronage, which, although now

venient to pay compliments; and Lord Colchester, whose talents and knowledge insured him respect as Speaker of the House of Commons, or as a British nobleman, was placed for years in the situation as one of the Commissioners of the Board of Longitude, for which every c

ncil such improvements as they might consider it expedient to discuss. [Amongst the names of the persons composing this Committee, which was proposed by Mr. South, were those of Dr. Wollaston and Mr. Herschel.] Th

hat the subject was likely to be taken up in the Council, they were in dismay: but the learned and grateful

der this tribute to any one really employing his time, his talents, or his rank in advancing the cause of science. But when a nobleman, unversed in our pursuits, will condescend to use the influence of his station in aiding a President to stifle, WITHOUT DISCUSSION,

e them. Of these I will only mention one fact. The late Sir Joseph Banks assigned to me as a reason why I need not expect to be appointed, (as he had held out to me at a former period when I had spoken to him on the subje

onomical Society;-that I always talked of it publicly and openly at the time;-that I purposely communicated it to each succeeding President of

itude received 300L., and 200L. more, a

erable influence, is that of Astronomer Royal; and it is to be observed, that he i

ince the abolition of the Board of Longitude, the President is supposed to h

to recommend proper persons to make particular experiments or observations; and, although I am far from supposing that t

HE PLAN FOR REFO

vements were necessary to re-establish the Society in public opinion, induced several of the most active members to wish for some reform in its laws and proceedings; and a Committee was appointed to consider the subject. It was perfectly understood,

ston, Mr.

ng, Mr.

ilbert, Capt

h, Capta

idea of rendering the Society so select as to make it an object of ambition to men of science to be ele

NCIL. August 27

tty, Vice

ohn L

ohn C

istophe

ldenb

aul N

make the weekly meetings considerable, and that the expenses for making these experiments must be secured by legal subscriptio

resolved upon. I confess, such a limit did not appear to me to bring great advantages, especially when I reflected how long a time must have elapsed before the 714 members of the Society could be reduced by death to that number. And I also thought that as long as those who alone sustained the reput

me effective immediately. I proposed that, in the printed list of the Royal Society, a star should be placed against the name of each Fellow

bers who had contributed papers to the T

butors of

..... 2

......

......

......

......

rom 7 to

more than

f the Royal Society. 589 P

more were admitted, then this class would be reduced to fifty-one. In either of these cases it would obviously become a matter of ambition to belong to the first class; and a more minute investigation into the value of each paper would naturally take place before it was admitted into the Transactions. Or it might be established that such papers only shoul

tion, accidentally derive reputation which does not belong to them, are unwilling, when the circumstance is pointed out, to allow the world to assign it to those who have fairly won it; or else that they are incapable of producing any thing worthy of being printed in t

ation of the Society, was the recommendation, by the expiring Council,

directed, by those statutes, at the two ordinary meetings previous to the anniversary, to give notice of the elections, and "to declare how much it importeth the good of the Society that such persons may be chosen into the Council as are most likely to attend the meetings an

nded the meetings of the Council. Those whose attendance has been least frequent are presumed to be otherwise engaged, unless absence from London, or engagement in some pursuit connected with the Society, are known to have interfered. Those members who have been on the Council the number

hey are not represented in the Council, there is some chance of their being brought before the general body, or, at last, even before the public. It is certainly an advantage that questions should be put, and even that debates s

y a partial attendance can be expected. That the conduct of those who have latterly managed the Royal Society has not led to such discussions, is to be attri

nniversary. When the cause of complaint is a system rather than any one great grievance, it may be necessary to enter more into detail than a speech will permit; also the printed statement and arguments will proba

ested, but I shall subjoin t

MEMBERS ADMITTED INTO THE ROYAL SOCIETY, AS WELL AS TO MAKE SUCH SUGGESTION

the progressive increase of the Society has been in a much higher ratio than the progressive increase of population, or the general growth of kno

at the obvious means of associating persons of this eminence will be the public conviction, that to belong to the Society is an honour. Your Committee, therefore, think themselves fully borne out in the conclusion, that it would be exp

e of the persons without doors who are engaged in the active pursuit of science, your Committee feel justified in recommending that thos

re, and as it would be prejudicial to the interests of the Society and of science, that no fresh accessions should take place during t

h to select the most distinguished individuals; but to accomplish this, if the present system were to be continued, it would be necessary to reject all those candidates whose certificates were of earlier date than theirs; a process not only extremely irritating, but probably ineffectual from the want of unanimity. Your Committee, therefore, most earnestly recommend, that on

that after the choice has been determined by the plurality of votes by ballot in the above manner, the successfu

g would cease, and with it all feelings of resentment and mortification; as the result of such an open competition could only be construed by

the Society; but they are at the same time convinced, that by a vigorous economy its present income might be rendered adequate

y was invested, yet there was a balance only of a few pounds at the end of the year. It further appears, that 500L. was paid for the paper, 370L. for engravings, and nearly 340L. for

tinguished by being collected into a separate and honourable list. It would also be found, perhaps, not less a future incentive than an act of retrospective justice, if the names of all those illustrious Fellows who have formerly obtained the medals, as well as of all those individuals who have been large benefactors to the Society, were rec

t importance, your Committee hope that our excellent President will not consider it any impeachment of his impartiality, or any doubt of his zeal, if they venture to suggest, that the usu

Committee allude to the important task of deciding on what papers should be published; and they are of opinion that it would be a material improvement on the present mode, if each paper were referred to a separate Committee, who should have sufficient ti

of proposing, they beg leave to move, that another Committee be appointed, with directions to fr

u should even be unanimously disposed to confirm them, your Committee would recommend, that the several statutes, when they have been drawn up or modified, should be only entered on your minutes, and not finally enacted. All innovations in the constitution

in the session of 1827, and on the 25th of June the

eived and read, and ordered to be entered on the minutes; and the Council, regarding the importance of the subject, and its bearings on the essential interests of the Society, in confor

hasty adoption; they were aware of their magnitude, and anxious

brought forward, it was thrown aside in the manner I have stated. Thus a report, sanctioned by the names of such a committee, and recommended by one Council to "THE MOST SERIOUS and EARLY consideration of the Council for the ensuing year," was by that very Council rejected, without even the ceremony of discussing its merits. Was ev