| Description | Printed minutes containing matters laid before Council, the Royal Society's governing body of Fellows, with records of decisions taken.
Commencing with a list of Council members present: George Biddell Airy; William Thomas Brande; Samuel Hunter Christie; Peter Mark Roget; Major Edward Sabine; Lieutenant-Colonel William Henry Sykes; Reverend Robert Willis; the Treasurer, Sir John William Lubbock, in the chair.
Among matters discussed or noted: minutes of the last meeting were read and confirmed. New members of Council made and subscribed to the declaration in lieu of the oath. Documents accompanying Sir John Barrow's letter were read and a special committee was appointed to report to Council. Letters from M. Biot and M. Sturm in thanks for their election as Foreign Members and for the award of medals. Mr. Airy reported that arrangements had been made to transfer instruments from Aden to Bombay, where observations would be made by Professor Orlebon. Letters relating to the magnetic survey laid before Council by the Committee for Physics. Letter from Edward Sabine, London, 25 November 1840, to Sir John Herschel, full text entered into the minutes: on the importance of magnetic observations to be made in Canada, the equipping of the Canadian observatory, assistance of the Hudson's Bay Company and a recommendation for Lieutenant Younghusband, with a list of expenses. Letter from Sir John Herschel, Collingwood, 27 November 1840, to Major Edward Sabine, full text entered into the minutes: he has not changed his opinions since his Quarterly Review article in procuring magnetic surveys of the colonies. Letter from George Peacock, Deanery, Ely, 5 January 1841, to Major Edward Sabine, full text entered into the minutes: agreeing with Sabine's opinion on making magnetic observations in Canada. Letter from Hew Ross, Woolwich, 26 November 1840, to Major Edward Sabine, full text entered into the minutes: giving no objection to Lieutenant Younghusband's employment in making magnetic observations in British North America. Letter from C. J. B. Riddell, Toronto, 25 November 1840, to Major Edward Sabine, full text entered into the minutes: approving Younghusband's employment with notes on salary and expenses for instruments and travelling. Resolved that the recommendations of the Committee of Physics be adopted and the President to confer with the Chancellor and the Master of the Board of Ordnance on the subject. Resolved that Mr. Christie communicate with the Society of Antiquaries on lighting and heating. The Astronomer Royal requested leave for his assistant to copy extracts from Council Minutes, granted. |