| 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: George Busk; John Peter Gassiot; John Edward Gray; Thomas Archer Hirst; Sir Henry Holland; Henry Bence Jones; William Allen Miller; William Hallows Miller; Sir Roderick Impey Murchison; William Odling; Sir John Rennie; William Sharpey; George Gabriel Stokes; the President, Major-General Edward Sabine, in the Chair.
Among matters discussed or noted: minutes of the last meeting read and approved. The seal of the Royal Society was affixed to a power of attorney enabling the Society's bankers to receive dividends on behalf of the Society. The President tabled continued correspondence with the Board of Trade regarding the Meteorological Department and the magnetism of ships, referred to the committee appointed on the subject, with additions to the committee. Letters and inclosures from the University of Melbourne, concerning the Melbourne telescope were read. Letter from W.P. Wilson, The University, Melbourne, 21 August 1865, to Major-General Edward Sabine, full text entered nto the minutes: relaying resolutions of the Board of Visitors including that the Society is asked to aid Major Paley in selecting a maker and supervising the construction of the proposed Melbourne Telescope; Mr. Grubb's proposal should be adopted and his estimates are given. The President stated that he was in commmunication with Major Paley, the Crown Agent and with referees. Letters from Mr. Croxall signalling his intent to continue balloon ascents and offering the opportunity to make upper atmosphere observations: Croxall to be informed that Council would take advantage of his offer should occasion arise. Letter from J. Challis, Cambridge, 23 September 1865, to Council of the Royal Society, full text entered into the minutes: asking for a contribution from the Donation Fund to support the publication of Mr. Edward Walker's Adams Prize essay; the request was supported by Professor Adams, and the sum of £50 was granted. Adjudication of Royal Society Medals: the name of Michel Chasles was added to the list for the Copley Medal and the candiates were discussed; the decision was adjourned to the next meeting. An application from the London Committee of the Cambridge Local Examinations for use of the Meeting Room to hold examinations was agreed to. A donation of two guineas was made to the Parochial Schools at Mablethorpe. A letter was read from Mr. Stephen Pearce offering an original portrait of Sir John Barrow in exchange for a copy now in the possession of the Royal Society, the offer accepted. Proceedings granted to the North China Branch of the Royal Asiatic Society at Shanghai, as an exchange, and a copy of the Library Catalogue was granted to the Library of the Legislature in Adelaide. Archibald Geikie was granted an extension of time for admission to the Fellowship. A letter was read intimating the retirement of Mr. Hopkins from the Fellowship. The Foreign Secretary announced the deaths of Professors Kupffer and Encke. List of bills for payment, for printing, paper, binding and for other expenses. |