to endeavour to make arrangements for the printing of the work. After due 

 consideration it was decided that the publication should consist of, first, the Titles 

 of Papers printed in full and arranged alphabetically according to the Authors' 

 names ; and, secondly, an Alphabetical Index of the subjects of the Papers so far 

 as they appear in the Titles. 



As the Royal Society had already expended a large sum in compiling the Cata- 

 logue, and were prepared to undertake the further expense of arranging it for 

 printing and of correcting the press, and as the publication of the work was calcu- 

 lated to be of public advantage, it was resolved to propose to Her Majesty's 

 Government that it should be printed at the cost of the nation ; and that, after the 

 presentation of a certain number of copies to Scientific Institutions at home and 

 abroad, the remainder should be offered for sale at the price of the paper and 

 printing only, and the proceeds applied in reduction of the outlay on the part of the 

 Government. 



A communication was accordingly made to Viscount PALMEHSTON, First Lord 

 of the Treasury ; and the proposal of the President and Council, having been favour- 

 ably received by his Lordship and by Mr. GLADSTONE the Chancellor of the 

 Exchequer, was approved by the Lords Commissioners of the Treasury. The 

 Minute of their Lordships, dated 28th November 1864, adopting the proposal, 

 concludes in the following terms : 



" Having regard to the importance of the work, with reference to the promotion 

 " of scientific knowledge generally, to the high authority of the source from which 

 " it comes, and to the labour gratuitously given by Members of the Royal Society 

 " to its production, my Lords consider themselves justified in having the work 

 " printed at the cost of the public, with the understanding that, reserving such a 

 " number of copies for presentation as my Lords, in communication with the 

 " President of the Royal Society, may hereafter determine, the work shall be sold 

 " at such a price as it may be calculated will repay the cost of printing. 



" Their Lordships, however, desire it to be understood that the work shall go 

 " forth to the public under the authority of the Hoyal Society, by the exertions of 

 " whose Members this important aid to the study of Science has been produced." 



