| 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 James Allman; George Busk; Robert Bellamy Clifton; Heinrich Debus; Peter Martin Duncan; George Carey Foster; Francis Galton; Thomas Archer Hirst; William Hallowes Miller; Laurence Parsons, 4th Earl of Rosse; William Sharpey; William Spottiswoode; George Gabriel Stokes; Isaac Todhunter; Sir Charles Wheatstone; the President, George Biddell Airy, in the chair.
Among matters discussed or noted: minutes of the last meeting read and approved. Discusion was resumed from the last meeting on the memorandum, from William Rolleston, Superintendent of Canterbury, New Zealand: the President noted that he was in contact with the promoters and had advised them on instruments for any observatory: Rolleston to be referred to correspondence with the Astronomer Royal, when the size of the establishment is determined, President and Council could offer advice on the work that might be undertaken there. Letters forwarded from the Foreign Office were read: from Consul Monro of Montevideo, stating that the United States vessel Hassler has sailed for the Straits of Magellan with Professor Agassiz; and from Vice-Consol Jago at Beirut comminicating on an earthquake at Antioch. Report of the Soiree Committee, full text entered into the minutes: 1,420 invitations sent and 500 visitors attended on 27 April, with Press notifications and expenditure. An honorarium of £5 give to Walter White for his soiree exertions. Mr. Busk gave notice that he would move to recommend Thomas Henry Huxley as a Secretary from the next Anniversary. Lists of candidates in the adjudication of Royal Society Medals, proposing and seconding to follow. The President was authorised to examine the Parliamentary copy of the standard yard and he and W.H. Miller were appointed to examine its system of supports. Rear-Admiral B.F. Sands requested a copy of the Catalogue of Scientific Papers for the use of the United States Naval Observatory at Washington, agreed. William Kitchen Parker was proposed to give the Bakerian Lecture. William Sharpey gave notice that he would raise a resolution at the next meeting, on nominating Fellows for election to President and Council, full text entered into the minutes. Bill for payment, for journals binding. |