PROCEEDINGS OF THE SOCIETY. 127 



the Society must have already readied at least £1000. He thought 

 that the Fellows generally would value any step which tended to add to 

 their numbers, increase the attendance at their Meetings, and induce 

 ladies to contribute papers ; and he felt sure that the presence of ladies 

 would make their Meeting brighter, and on their conclusion increase 

 the pleasure of social intercourse. Mr. Hopkinson wished to be permitted 

 to add, that although ladies have not yet the privilege of Fellowship 

 of the Geological Society, they have lately been admitted to the Meet- 

 ings, and invited to speak when a paper by a lady has been read. 



Mr. Wesche said it was within their knowledge that some sort of 

 canvass had been going on in connection with this matter, but, though 

 the opposition to this motion seemed rather unreasonable, it came from 

 Fellows of the Society whose feelings it was most repugnant to him 

 to hurt, and lie suggested that each Fellow should be circularised, so 

 that they might get a distinct idea as to the wishes of the majority, and 

 as to how large that majority was. 



The Chairman said that there had been no official ballot taken on the 

 question, but it was thought that this should be done, and that was one 

 reason why a committee was suggested to deal with it. As regarded 

 abstract justice, he did not see that this entered into the question, as it 

 was quite competent for any number of persons to form a Society and to 

 make what rules and conditions they pleased, and those who joined knew 

 those conditions beforehand. 



The Chairman was about to put Mr. Gordon's motion to the Meeting, 

 when Mr. Marks interposed with a question as to why the matter could 

 not be settled at once ? 



Mr. Freshwater said he should like to ask the Chairman, before the 

 vote was taken, the following questions : Were not visitors present, and 

 and if so, was it not usual for them to retire before a special Meeting 

 began ? He also asked, What was the qualification for voting ? — was 

 there not a rule that no person should be allowed to vote if his subscrip- 

 tion was in arrear ? 



Mr. J. W. Gordon said he understood that the mover and seconder 

 of the original motion had accepted the amended form suggested by the 

 Council, which he had moved, and which therefore stood to be voted 

 upon, the amendment by consent taking the place of the original motion. 

 It was, of course, quite competent to anyone to move a further amend- 

 ment, which would then have to be considered, but at present the 

 reference of the whole subject to a committee for investigation and report 

 was the only proposal before the Meeting. 



Mr. Cheshire quite agreed that in a matter of this kind the greatest 

 tact was necessary, and that it should not be decided hastily in the face 

 of strong personal feelings. Under these circumstances, and in the 

 best interests of the Society, he thought it very desirable that all the 

 Fellows should be consulted, although if there was no such opposition 

 there did not appear to be any reason for not deciding the matter by a 

 vote at once. 



The Chairman said that if anyone wished to move that the original 

 resolution be put to the Meeting at once, it was quite within his rights 

 to do so. 



Mr. J. M. Allen said it was not a question for the Council, nor was 



