20 PROCEEDINGS AT GENERAL MEETINGS. 



Tlie Hon. G. Waldegeave Leslie.— I would be soitv to see fhat. 

 Mr Melvix said he had ju«t put that view because it was worthy of the considera- 

 tion of the meeting whether anything slioukl lie done at the present time, chiefly to 

 encourage the idea that that was the sole panacea for alle\'iating distress which 

 the Society could urge upon the members. He begged to move the previous 

 question. 



JSIr M'Culloch, Denbie Mains, seconded the amendment. 



Mr SJtiTa, ^\'hittiughame, said that for himself personally he thoiight it would be 

 desirable to have the premises removed to the New Town. No doubt many who 

 attended the meetings attended the market in the first instance ; but practically it just 

 came to this — What time did it take to go from there to the New Town ? because it 

 was almost universallj- the case that geutlemen went to the New Town. The clubs 

 were also there. Tlien those who had to travel liy railway had to go to the New TowTi 

 to get away home, so that it was simply a matter of time. If it took ten minutes or 

 a quarter of an horn- to go to new jiremises in the New To%^'n, the way to arrange the 

 matter would be to postpone the meeting for a quarter of an hour, which would enable 

 them, if it were necessary, to stay longer at the market. They must also be all aware 

 of the justness of the complaint of having to go up such a long flight of stairs to the 

 hall. A friend of his had remarked that it was discreditable for a society like that 

 to take old gentlemen np such a long stair and p\it them in the top loft. It was 

 necessary, at all events, that there should be a change in the circumstances, and 

 if it was admitted that it was an uncomfortable place in which to hold a meeting, and 

 that it was necessary to develop that important department of the Society, chemistry, 

 how could that be done except by outlay ? He questioned very much whether it 

 would not cost more to alter the premises than to buy new ones — taking into account 

 "what they would get for the present building. He thought it would be well, at least, 

 to give the matter full consideration ; and if it did appear that it would lead to such 

 expense as would be unreasonable, then it would be time enough to pass it aside. He 

 did not consider that the proposal had been brought forward in any unbecoming waj' 

 at all. If it were thought that this were not a proper meeting at which to dispose of 

 the subject, then it could be adjom-ned till next meeting ; and notice of the motion 

 coiild now be given. 



Dr CrjMG asked if the motion now before them was the one as originally printed, or 

 as Mr Waldegi-ave Leslie -wished to amend it ? 



The Hon. George Waldegrate Leslie said he stood by the motion as printed. 



Dr Craig then said that the motion did not commit them to go to the New To^vn or 

 to any particular spot in Edinburgh. They coixld go if they thought proper to Oiam- 

 bers Street, which was near the University, and also near the laboratories of Dr Fal- 

 coner King and Dr Stevenson IMacadam. Then there were vacant stances in Castle 

 Terrace and many other places besides the New Town. He considered that this was a 

 j)roper meeting to bring forward the motion as printed, because if the motion were 

 earned to-day the committee would report to the January meeting. Tlie report could 

 be made kno^\^l to the members beforehand, so that they would have an opportunity 

 of discussing the matter in all its bearings at a full meeting. On the other hand, if 

 the subject were postponed till January, then the discussion would be left over till the 

 small meeting in summer. He did not see why they should not be perfectly imani- 

 mous in appinting a committee. 



Mr John Ord Mackenzie of Dolphinton said that the last time this matter was 

 brought before the society there was a large January meeting. The matter was late 

 in coming up ; and it was left to him, as convener of the committee, to move the 

 adoption of the report, which was seconded by JNIr Murray, and carried without 

 remark. The fullest powers were then given to the Hall and Chambers Committee to 

 .sell the present premises and purchase others : but so far as he recollected, as time 

 went on there was a general feeling among the directors that, although the motion was 

 passed sub silentio, there was an undercurrent of opposition to it, and the directors 

 took no immediate stejis in the matter. It afterwards came more openly before the 

 directors, and a motion was carried, nobody contradicting it, that no further action 

 be taken. The matter had lain until the motion of Mr Waldegrave Leslie now 

 brought it up, and he wished the Society would in some way or other speak with no 

 xmcertain soimd, that they should give disthict instructions, and not come to one de- 

 cision at one time and another at another. He felt strongly that they shoidd only 

 proceed on a unanimous vote of the members, and that the opinion of even a small 

 minority wishing to retain the premises where they were, and not desiring new ofiices, 

 ought to be given effect to. 



On a division, 45 voted for Mr Waldegrave Leslie's motion, and 32 for the amend- 

 ment. 



Sir James Gibson Maitland said he thought it would be well to put on the com- 

 mittee some of those who used the markets. Mr Menzies must know that having the 

 office close to the market must be an advantage to the Society. He accordingly 



