| Description | Present at the meeting: Mr South in the chair; Captain Beaufort; Mr Herschel
Considered the Certificates for 1802, 1803, discussing the number of candidates and their signatories, and their contributions to the 'Philosophical Transactions'. Also considered years of 1825 and 1826 in the same way, and compared with 1741.
Concluded;
1. ' The average proportion of contributors of papers to the printed Transactions to the whole number of members attatching their signatures to Certificates, is not materially different at present from what it was in the beginning of the present century.
2. That the average is however materially less than it was in the middle of the last century
3. That the total average number of signatures attached to each Certificate is somewhat greater at present and considerably greater than at the earlkier; but that this fact appears to the Committee sufficiently accounted for by the different circumstances prevalent in Society in general at the several periods, and from the greater diffusion of knowlege and interest taken in scientific subjects at present than heretofore. .
The Committee finally resolved that this Minute be read as their report to the Council. ' |