662 PROCEEDINGS OF STATUTORY GENERAL MEETINGS, 
“1, That Mr Russexx’s letter of resignation be recorded in the Minutes.” 
This motion was unanimously agreed to, and the letter follows :-— 
Sm,—I have now held the office of Treasurer of the Royal Society for eighteen years, and in the 
course of next month I shall enter on the 78th year of my age. It seems to me, therefore, full time 
that the duties of that office should be devolved on some younger and more active Fellow of the Society. 
I therefore now beg to resign that office, and request you will lay this letter of resignation before the 
next Meeting of Council.—I am, &c. (Signed) Joun Russet. 
«2. That the following resolution, conveying the thanks of the Society to Mr Russert, be re- 
corded in the Minutes.” 
This was carried unanimously, and the resolution follows :— 
Resolved, That this Meeting do record their deep sense of the zealous and important services 
rendered to the Royal Society by its late Treasurer, Mr Russetx. During the long period of eighteen 
years for which he has held that office, the funds of the Society have been in a steadily prosperous con- 
dition. The benefit of Mr Russexx’s cordial and effective assistance has been felt not only in this, but 
in every department of the Society’s affairs, and that assistance the Meeting hope may still long con- 
tinue, notwithstanding Mr Russexx’s withdrawal from the responsibility of his official position. 
«3. That Mr James Gisson-Craie be elected Treasurer, in room of Mr Russexu resigned.” 
This motion was carried unanimously. 
Memorandum.— March 2, 1857.—At the Ordinary Meeting of this date, Mr D. 
SmiTH made the following motion, which was seconded by Mr NasMytu, and unanimously 
adopted :— 
*‘ That the Council be requested to consider the propriety of recording in a fitting and permanent 
manner the feelings of the Society towards their late Treasurer, Mr Russet, for the benefit which the 
Society has received from his attention and exertions during the time he has acted as Treasurer, and to 
report their opinion and the manner in which they think such a record should be most appropriately made.” 
Memorandum.—April 20, 1857.—At the Ordinary Meeting of this date, Dr FLEMING 
moved, and Mr SyMz seconded, the following resolutions, of which notice had been given 
at the previous Ordinary Meeting :— 
‘© 1. That the Council has exceeded its powers in reference to the Neill Prize, by determining and 
announcing the conditions of appropriation before submitting the case for the approval of the Society. 
«9. That the conditions announced by the Council are framed with the view of enhancing the 
importance and promoting the interest of the Society, rather than the recognition of merit, contem- 
plated in a liberal spirit, and so unequivocally indicated by the terms of the bequest. 
« 3. That the subject be remitted to the Council for reconsideration, with an injunction that the 
results be laid before the Society for approval, previous to publication.’’ 
The Rev Dr GRANT moved, and Mr D. Smit seconded, the following amendment :— 
“That the Society sees no ground for disturbing the arrangements for the appropriation of the 
Neill Bequest, as announced by the Council, and expresses its approval of said arrangements.” 
On the vote being taken, 32 voted for the amendment, and 18 for the motion. 
The Chairman declared the amendment to be carried. 
Memorandum.—April 20, 1857.—At the Ordinary Meeting of this date, it was pro- 
posed on the part of the Council (in consequence of a remit to them from the Society on the 
2d March), that a sum not exceeding Fifty Guineas, should be set apart from the funds of the 
Society for the purchase of a piece of Plate to be presented to Mr RussHLL, the late Trea- 
surer, in the name of the Society, and in acknowledgment of his long-continued and valuable 
services ; a notice to this effect having been made at last Ordinary Meeting. 
This motion was carried by acclamation. 
mes 
