| 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: Frederick Augustus Abel; William Bowman; William Carruthers; Major-General Henry Clerk; William Crookes; John Evans (Treasurer); Augustus George Vernon Harcourt; Sir Joseph Dalton Hooker; Thomas Henry Huxley; Sir Astley Cooper Key; Sir Henry Lefroy; John William Strutt, 3rd Baron Rayleigh; Charles William Siemens; John Simon; George Gabriel Stokes; Allen Thomson; Alexander William Williamson; the President, William Spottiswoode, in the chair.
Among matters discussed or noted: minutes of the last meeting read and approved. Deaths of James Robert Christie and Professor William Kingdon Clifford. President and Council express appreciation to his executors for the liberality of the £1,000 bequest of Sydney Ellis. Letter from Norman McLeod, Science and Art Department, London, 12 March 1879, to the Secretaries, the Royal Society, Burlington House, full text entered into the minutes: the Lords of the Committee of Council on Education had considered Professor Stokes' letter and approve the recommendations of the Society relating to the appropriation of the £4,000 Government Grant for Scientific Research. Report of the Library Committee, recommending: reprinting of the Catalogue of the Royal Society Library by Messrs Spottiswoode and Company, all anonymous books to be catalogued, standard works purchased for the Library and grants of Philosphical Transactions, including to the Birmingham Public Library to replace those lost by fire. Grants from the Scientific Relief Fund of £30 to be placed with Professor Flower and £40 with Lord Lindsay, for applicants. Treasurer reported on the purchase of £2,000 stock for the Fee Reduction Fund, the seal of the Royal Society affixed to two transfers of £1,000 each. Letter from Henry J.S. Smith, Meteorological Office, 116 Victoria Street, London, 24 March 1879, to William Spottiswoode, President of the Royal Society, full text entered into the minutes: in reply to Spottiswoode's letter giving the Meteorological Council's position on the Ben Nevis Observatory and the Scottish Meteorological Society; submitting three proposals, that the support of Government may be properly asked for, that assistance should only be given in aid of contributions made by the Scottish Meteorological Society, and the management of the venture would rest with this Society, with the responsibility for its success or failure. Council resolve that it is not advisable to apply to the Treasury for funding in support of a high-level Ben Nevis Observatory and the matter should not be referred back to the Meteorological Council. Nominations of Foreign Members confirmed by ballot and certificates signed in their favour. Letter from George Barnard and Jane Barnard, Barnsbury Villa, 320 Liverpool Road, 10 March 1879, to Walter White, Assistant Secretary, the Royal Society, full text entered into the minutes: as executors of the late Sarah Faraday, presenting a volume of diplomas and other honours conferred upon her husband, Michael Faraday; the bequest accepted and thanks returned. The selection of candidates for Fellowship of the Royal Society considered and adjourned. |