1854. ] OF THE ROYAL INSTITUTION. 455 
The Secretary read the following Report from the Managers :— 
“Tue Manacers have the gratification of reporting to the 
Members an act of munificence greatly enhanced in value by special 
circumstances. 
“ On Friday last the Secretary received the following letter from 
Mr. J. Pepys: 
“8, Berkeley Street, 2nd June, 1854, 
“My pear Sir, 
As Honorary Secretary to the Royal Institution I trouble 
you with the following. 
“I find I have belonged to the Royal Institution since the month 
of March 1800 (now more than fifty-four years); and having ree 
ceived during that period much mental gratification and pleasure, 
I wish to make some small return for the entertainment I have 
enjoyed; I therefore enclose a draft for One hundred pounds, to be 
disposed of in any way the Managers may think most to the ad- 
vantage of this most excellent Institution, of which J believe I am 
now the oldest living Associate. With the earnest wish for its lasting 
prosperity, I remain much yours, Joun Pzpys. 
“This is the Fifth Donation to the same amount bestowed by the 
same generous Member. On the four previous occasions, however, 
the recipient of Mr. Pepys’s bounty was in a condition very different 
from the present. 
“« At that time the reputation of the Royal Institution was, indeed, 
rapidly advancing; but neither its high character nor its increasing 
usefulness prevented this society from being almost overwhelmed by 
pecuniary difficulties. Such was the period chosen by Mr. Pepys 
for making those large donations which powerfully contributed to 
rescue the Institution from absolute ruin. 
“The Managers therefore feel that this long-tried friend is en- 
titled to the two-fold credit of having first sustained the society 
to which he has so long been attached in the hour of its adversity, 
and of having now added increasing efficiency to its present con- 
dition of prosperity and success.” 
It was then moved by Professor Faraday, seconded by Dr. Webster, 
and ResoLvepD unanimously,— 
“That the hearty thanks of this Meeting be presented to Jonn 
Pepys, Esq., for the present proof of his good will and effectual 
support; which is only one of many equally striking instances 
of his earnestness in the cause of the Royal Institution, exerted in 
times both of adversity and prosperity extending through a period 
of half a century.” 
The following Presents were announced, and the thanks of the 
Members returned for the same : — 
From 
Astronomical Society, Royal— Monthly Notices, Vol. XIV. No. 6. 8vo. 1854. 
Bell, Jacoh, Esq. — Pharmaceutical Journal, June, 1854. 8vo, 
KK Ix 
