XXll. 



from an average of 95 to an average of 124. Ilie size and num- 

 ber of illustrations in the society's ammal volume of proceed- 

 ings had much increased, and the ccst of printing liad grown 

 from about' £30 to about £1)0 a year. It was this increase in 

 the cost of printing that lendered the present revenue insuffi- 

 cient, for expenditure in other directions remained about the 

 same. Tlie publication of fvroceedings was the most important 

 work of the Society, for it not only Avas a permanent record of 

 the work of members, but it Avas the means by which exchanges 

 of the publications of scientific societies tliroughout the world 

 were obtained. It was esrsential that the standard of the So- 

 ciety's publications should be maintained, and he hoped that 

 members who made little use of the Society's library and did 

 not attend its meetings regularly Avould feel that their sub- 

 scriptions helped in tiie Avork of adding to knowledge. The 

 increase to the old amount of 30s. would, with the present 

 number of members, enable the Society to carry on its present 

 work. There were at present 121 members, and the total re- 

 venue was £130; whilst the exi>enditure was £200, so they were 

 £70 to the bad. If they had the same number of members 

 at £1 10s. they Avoidd have only been £15 on the Avrong side. 

 Last year's expenditure exceeded the revenue by only 

 £17. Tlie position at the end of the year would be 

 that the general account Avould be overdraAvn, but they 

 AA'ould haA'e other amounts in hand AA'hich Avould just about keep 

 a credit balance at the bank. They Avould huve to si>end £50 

 per annum on a secretary. Possibly they A\-ould be able to 

 get help from the Government to the extent of £30; but the 

 least they could manage en Avas £150. 



Mr. Green seconded the motion. 



Mr. L. Rodway said he had taken an active part in getting 

 the subscription reduced, and lie did not see any reason for 

 again raising it. The reduction Avas not the result of a sud- 

 den mOA'ement. The idea Avas to extend the membership. He 

 totally disagreed Avith the moA-er Avhen the latter contended 

 they had expected a rapid influx of members. AVith changes of 

 popular opinion the Royal Society did not hold the glamour 

 Avhich once attached to it. They must expect to lose a great 

 many old-fashioned subscriptions, Avhich Avere given simply be- 

 cause they Avere the Royal Society. Tliey had three alterna- 

 tives before them. They must find a secretary Avho would do 

 the work for nothing. They must reduce their publications, 

 or they might get assistance from the GoAernraent. He A^en- 

 tured to think that the GoA^ernment Avould gi\'e them more 

 than £30 per annum. Tlie («ove^'nment would pu])lish papers of 

 unusual interest. He had himself a paper to read that cA-en- 

 ing Avhich he thought AvouId itself cost £30, and tlie Government 

 had promised to publish it. He belicA^ed the Government Avould 

 spend £50 on pnblishing his oAvn papers during the coming 

 year. He thought that, m this Avay, the Society A^■ould get aid 

 from the GoA'ernment equal to £70 or £80. The reduction in 

 the subscription had not been a hurried change, and it had been 

 in existence only a fcAv months. It had not yet receiA'ed a 

 proper trial. He thought the loAver subscription should i)re- 

 vail for three years, and if the membership had not then in- 

 creased it Avould be time to again revert to the £1 10s. charge 

 on members. 



