| 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: Thomas George Bonney; George Busk; Sir Richard Assheton Cross; Edwin Dunkin; John Evans (Treasurer); Thomas Archer Hirst; William Huggins; Thomas Henry Huxley; John Marshall; Alfred Newton; William Odling; Daniel Oliver; Sir James Paget; Henry Tibbats Stainton; George Gabriel Stokes; Alexander William Williamson; the President, William Spottiswoode, in the chair.
Among matters discussed or noted: minutes of the last meeting read and approved. Letter from Robert H. Scott, Meteorological Office, 116 Victoria Street, London, 19 May 1881, to the Secretary of the Royal Society, full text entered into the minutes: noting that the establishment of a circumpolar chain of meteorological and magnetic stations for a limited time would add to scientific knowledge, providing a list of locations and countries contemplating action; a suggested 12-month period beginning in 1882 would scarcely be possible, but the Government of Canada should be consulted for advice. Letter from George Gabriel Stokes, the Royal Society, Burlington House, to the Under Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs, full text entered into the minutes: noting the consultation with the Meteorological Council on a proposed polar regions chain of observational stations, citing the scientific advantages, but also the cost falling on the country; the Royal Society would offer advice, if the scheme should proceed. Letter from Lord Enfield, India Office, 11 May 1881, to the President of the Royal Society, full text entered into the minutes: forwarding a report by Major John Herschel on the possible direction of pendulum researches, which go beyond the remit of the India Survey; Lord Hartington feels that Council of the Royal Society would be able to help him form a judgement on the matter; the letter to be referred to a committee for the purpose. Treasurer authorised to affix the seal of the Royal Society to the diplomas of Foreign Members and to the Acton property conveyance. Leave granted to John Tyndall to have electrotypes from wood engravings of his papers on putrefaction and infection. |