1894.] General Monthly Meeting. 379 



nowhere can such, a laboratory be expected to bear more abundant fruit than 

 in this country, which possesses such an unrivalled record of great scientific re- 

 searches, which have emanated from private laboratories not [connected with 

 teaching institutions, and amongst which the laboratory of the Eoyal Institution 

 stands foremost, and has kept up its reputation for nearly a hundred years. 



"It has been my desire for many years to found a public laboratory which is 

 to give to the devotees of pure science, anxious and willing to follow in the 

 footsteps of the illustrious men who have built up the proud edifice of modern 

 science, the facilities necessary for research in chemistry, and more particularly 

 in that branch of the science called physical chemistry. 



"I have come to the same conclusion as the promoters of the scheme of 1813, 

 viz. that such laboratory would still have the greatest prospect of success under 

 the segis of the Eoyal Institution, that in fact it would be the consummation of 

 the work which this great Institution has been fostering in its own laboratory, 

 with such remarkable results, by the aid of the eminent men whose services it 

 has always been fortunate enough to procure. 



"As only want of space prevented the Eoyal Institution undertaking this 

 task fifty years ago, I took the opportunity which offered itself last year of 

 acquiring the premises, No. 20 Albemarle Street, adjoining the Institution. 

 This property I found very suitable for the purposes of such a laboratory, and 

 large enough to afford, besides, facilities to the Eoyal Institution for a much 

 needed enlargement of its present laboratory and its libraries and reception 

 rooms, which I should with great pleasure put at the disposal of the Institution. 



" Being convinced that the Managers of the Eoyal Institution will give all 

 the encouragement and aid in their power in the foundation and working of such 

 a research laboratory, I hereby offer to convey to the Eoyal Institution the free- 

 hold of No. 20 Albemarle Street, and also the lease I hold from the Institution of 

 premises contiguous thereto, to be held by them for the purpose of a laboratory, 

 to be named ' The Davy-Faraday Eesearch Laboratory of the Eoyal Institution,' 

 and also for the purpose of providing increased accommodation for the general 

 purposes of the Eoyal Institution, as far as the available space will allow, after 

 providing for the requirements of the research laboratory. 



" I also offer to make, at my own expense, all structural alterations necessary 

 to fit the premises for these purposes, and to equip the Davy-Faraday Eesearch 

 Laboratory with the necessary apparatus, appliances, &c, and to make such further 

 adequate provision as will hold the Eoyal Institution free from all expense in 

 connection with the premises and the working of the said laboratory. . . . 



" I am aware that my offer will not provide for the third object of the scheme 

 of 1843, viz. to enable the professors to work out their problems by the aid of 

 many qualified hands ; but I trust that if the laboratory which I offer to found 

 proves successful, others will come forward who will supply the means for 

 attaining this end, by the foundation of scholarships and bursaries to qualified 

 persons willing to devote themselves to scientific work and not in a position to do 

 so without assistance." 



The Presents received since the last Meeting were laid on the 

 table, and the thanks of the Members returned for same, viz. : — 



The French Government — Documents Inedits sur l'Histoire de France : Eecueil 



des Chartes de l'Abbaye de (Jluny, Tome V. 4to. 1894. 

 The Lords of the Admiralty — Eeport of Astronomer Eoyal. 8vo. 1894. 



Eeport of H.M. Astronomer at the Cape of Good Hope, 1879-86. 4to. 1894. 

 The British Museum (Natural History) — A Monograph of Lichens found in Britain, 

 Part 1. 8vo. 1894. 

 Catalogue of the Mesozoic Plants in the British Museum : The Fossil Plants 



of the Wealden, Part 1. 8vo. 1894. 

 Catalogue of Birds, Vol. XXIII. 8vo. 1894. 



