| 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: William Henry Barlow; Thomas George Bonney; George Busk; Sir Richard Assheton Cross; Edwin Dunkin; Alexander John Ellis; John Evans (Treasurer); Thomas Archer Hirst; William Huggins; Thomas Henry Huxley; John Marshall; William Odling; Daniel Oliver; Sir James Paget; William Henry Perkin; 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. Deaths of Dr. Joseph Barnard and Ronald Campbell Gunn. An extension on time for admission to the Fellowship granted to Professor Dickie. £50 placed in the hands of Professor Archibald Geikie and £30 in the hands of Dr. Allen Thompson for applicants to the Scientific Relief Fund. Library Committee report that the first section of the Library Catalogue was ready for publication and the selling price to Fellows and the public should be four shillings: resolved that a copy should be presented to each member of the Library Committee. Copies of Philosophical Transactions from 1878 to be presented to West Point Military Academy. Letter from Mr. Wildman Whitehouse on the construction of hygrometric instruments, consideration postponed. Letter from Mr. J. Usher of the Brewster Centenary Committee, the Secretary desired to send an appropriate reply. Letter from R.R.W. Lingen, Treasury Chambers, 15 June 1881, to the President of the Royal Society, full text entered into the minutes: responding to the report of the Committee on the Transit of Venus Observations in 1882, accepting the three observing parties locations and expenses for South Africa and Madagascar, West Indies [Caribbean], and New Zealand and Falkland Islands; discussing administrative matters and requesting that the Royal Society nominate an Executive Committee to manage and account for any funding vote in Parliament; copies of the draft observations instructions have been communicated to other governments. An Executive Committee for the observations of the Transit of Venus 1882 formed, and names of the committee members listed, with leave granted for them to hold meetings in the rooms of the Royal Society. Annual Report of the Meteorological Council presented. The committee to communicate with the India Office on pendulum observations not having reported, the President empowered to deal with the report on receipt. The Marquis of Salisbury had consented to add a clause to the Charitable Trusts Bill exempting the Royal Society from the operation of the Charitable Trusts Acts. Treasurer authorised to affix the seal of the Royal Society to the conveyance of the remainder of the Acton Estate, the associated mortgage and investments referred to the Estates Committee. All books beonging to the Library to be returned by 31 July. Leave of absence granted to the Assistant Secretary. The Treasurer empowered to pay bills during recess. Candidates for Royal Society medals proposed and seconded. List of bills for payment, for printing, engraving, lithography and for other expenses. |