| 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: Francis Maitland Balfour; Sir Risdon Bennett; Heinrich Debus; Alexander John Ellis; John Evans (Treasurer); Michael Foster; Thomas Archer Hirst; William Huggins; Thomas Henry Huxley; Joseph Lister; Daniel Oliver; Henry Enfield Roscoe; Warington Wilkinson Smyth; Henry Tibbats Stainton; George Gabriel Stokes; Edward James Stone; Alexander William Williamson; the President, William Spottiswoode, in the chair.
Among matters discussed or noted: minutes of the last meeting read and approved. Death of Charles Ansell. New members of Council made and subscribed to the declaration in lieu of the oath. Appointment of Vice-Presidents. Letter from Karl Adolph Wurtz returning thanks for the award of the Copley Medal. Letter from F. Cavendish, Treasury Chambers, 10 November 1881, to the President of the Royal Society, Burlington House, full text entered into the minutes: on Huxley's letter transmitting a copy of the Meteorological Council report, noting that the report will be laid before both Houses of Parliament and enquiring whether Council wish to recommend any change to the termination of the financial arrangement in force since 1877 and if so, these should be received in time for 1882-1883 estimates. The President reported that he had solicited the views of the Meteorological Council. Letter from Henry J. Smith, Meteorological Office, 2 December 1881, to the President of the Royal Society, full text entered into the minutes: on future arrangements for the Meteorological Office, summarising the work of the Office, co-operation with international and national institutions, and areas of expenditure; enclosing a letter from the Ministry of Marine, Paris, 9 August 1881 to Robert Scott, Meteorological Office, full text [in French] entered into the minutes; with a list of Clerks employed at the Meteorological Office, including their job titles, dates of entry and salaries. Letter from Henry J.S. Smith, Meteorological Office, 14 December 1881, to the President of the Royal Society, full text entered into the minutes: he has transmitted a printed reply to the President's letter, with copies for Council, noting that the Hydrographer to the Admiralty is an ex officio member of the Meteorological Council and its other members would be prepared to continue their services if the Royal Society's Council wish it; he has not been able to ascertain the views of Warren de La Rue, because of his recent illness. Re-appointment of Royal Society committees, with lists of members: Library Committee, Soiree and House Committee, Estates Committee, and the Government Grant Committee. The salary of Herbert Rix, the Society's Clerk, to be increased by £10 to £160 per annum. List of bills for payment for lithography, engraving and electrical works. |