Royal Society. ALY 
meeting danger and difficulty, and a steadiness and patience in 
bearing privations, which demanded the highest commendation, 
These had been shown in a remarkable manner by Capt. Sabine, 
who in the Polar ice, and almost in darkness, had conducted his 
observations with as much precision as if he had enjoyed the re- 
pose and conveniences of the happiest climate and situation. 
Sir Humphry entered into a historical view of the progress of 
experiments made upon the pendulum ; and did ample justice 
to the accuracy and beauty of Captain Kater’s invention, which 
Captain Sabine employed in his experiments: these seem to have 
been conducted with equal address and industry, and give a 
compression of about 5+, for the polar diameter of the earth. 
“* Captain Sabine (Sir Humphry said) is not here to receive the 
mark of your approbation; for, after braving the long night and 
almost perpetual winter of the Pole, he is now gone, with the same 
laudable object, to expose himself to the burning sunshine and 
perpetual summer of the equator.”’ After expressing his warm 
hopes that he would return from these new and dangerous ex- 
peditions, after having accomplished all his objects, Sir Humphry 
presented the medal to Mr. Sabine, assuring him of the deep 
interest taken by the Royal Society in his brother’s pursuits and 
success. The President dwelt in glowing terms on his disinter- 
estedness and genuine love of science, which he said made him 
consider the good opinion of the Royal Society as the highest 
reward he could receive for his scientific labours. He had no 
doubt, he said, that if it pleased Providence to grant him health 
and a safe return, he would not only establish fresh claims to 
their admiration, but likewise to that of all his countrymen who 
were lovers either of useful science or of bold and hardy enter- 
prise. 
The Society then proceeded to the Election of a Council and 
Officers for the ensuing year ; when, on examining the lists, it 
appeared that the following gentlemen were elected: 
Of the Old Council.—Sir Humpiry Davy, Bart., W. T. 
Brande, Esq., the Lord Bishop of Carlisle, Taylor Combe, Esq., 
Davies Gilbert, Esq., Charles Hatchett, Esy., J. F. W. Herschel, 
Esq., Sir Everard Home, Bart., John Pond, Esq., Wm. Hyde 
Wollaston, M.D., Thomas Young, M.D. 
Of the New Council. —The Earl of Aberdeen, Matthew Baillie, 
M.D, John"Barrow, Esq., B. C. Brodie, Esq., Wm. Hamilton, 
Esq., James Ivory, Esq., The Marquess of Lansdown, Alexander 
Marcet, M.D., Thos. Murdock, Esq., Sir Robt. Seppings, Knt. 
And the Officers—President, Sir Humphry Davy, Bart, LL.D. 
Treasurer—Davies Gilbert, Esq. 
Secretaries—Wm. Thos, Brande and Taylor Combe, E:qrs. 
Vol. 58, No, 284, Dec, 1821. 8L ASTRO- 
