14 



necessarily became modified. The size of the volumes of the * Philo- 

 sophical Transactions ' gradually increased, and longer and more ela- 

 borate memoirs superseded the brief notices of which the earlier 

 volumes were composed. 



" It is not for us to give nor even to form an opinion of what the 

 Royal Society has done during the last few years ; but we are at 

 liberty to refer to what has been done by our predecessors ; and with 

 regard to fhem we are justified in the conclusion that they have well 

 performed the task which they had undertaken. In adding to human 

 knowledge, they have added to human happiness. Standing apart 

 from politics, they have pursued an independent course, having no 

 selfish objects in view, but acting harmoniously with the Government 

 of the day, whatever it might be. I am sure that every existing Fel- 

 low of the Society will join with me in the desire that we and those 

 who come after us may continue in the same path, so as to maintain 

 the dignity of science, and do honour to our country : 



* Alterum in lustrum mellusque semper 

 Proroget aevum.' " 



On the motion of Mr. Horner, seconded by Sir R. Murchison, it 

 was resolved, 



" That the account of the proceedings of the Council communi- 

 cated from the Chair, be printed and circulated among the Fellows. 



" That the thanks of the Society be returned to the President for 

 his Address, with the expression of sincere regret for the cause of his 

 absence; and that he be requested to permit his Address to be printed." 



The Chairman then announced the adjudication of the Medals, 

 and presented them in the following terms. 



The Copley Medal has been awarded to Professor Robert Wilhelm 

 Bunsen, of Heidelberg, one of our Foreign Members, for his re- 

 searches on Cacodyl, Gaseous Analysis, the Volcanic Phenomena of 

 Iceland, and other researches. 



For thirty years Professor Bunsen has been a most industrious 

 and successful investigator of various subjects in the domain of 

 chemistry. His researches on Cacodyl supplied the first instance 

 of a compound radical, behaving through a complete series of reac- 

 tions like an elementary body, and being prepared in the free state 



