290 THE ZOOLOQIGAL SOCIETY. 



On Dr. Sclater's retirement a pension of £700 per annum 

 was granted him by the Council, but the question was raised 

 whether this was not in excess of their powers. Counsel's 

 opinion was taken, and the matter was submitted to the General 

 Meeting of June 18, which after the formal business at No. 3, 

 Hanover Square, was adjourned to the Morley Hall close by. 



The question aroused a good deal of feeling among the 

 opposition, in which two views were held, one being that the 

 amount was excessive, considering that the present Secretary 

 received only £600 a year ; ^ and the other that the motion should 

 be met with a direct negative. The matter was hotly discussed, 

 and arrangements were made for opposing the grant. But on 

 the day of the meeting no one moved an amendment, for the 

 reason that those who had promised to support it found excuses 

 for not doing so. 



The first business was an official reply by Dr. Chalmers 

 Mitchell to a question respecting the profits of the Garden 

 Guide. It embodied what has already been told on pp. 225, 226, 

 with respect to the grant by the Council to Dr. Sclater of the 

 right to prepare and sell a Guide, and added that in recent years 

 the profits had been about £400. 



The President then put the motion : 



That this Meeting approves of the grant by the Council of a pension 

 of £700 per annum to Mr. P. L. Sclater, D.Sc, F.E.S., in consideration of 

 his services as Secretary to the Society for forty-three years. 



This was supported by Mr. E. North Buxton ; but Dr. John 

 Ince suggested that, considering the condition of the Society, 

 Dr. Sclater would probably be satisfied with a warmly worded 

 testimonial. Dr. Ince, who was only elected that year, spoke in 

 absolute good faith, and seemed astonished that his suggestion 

 created some amusement. Professor E. Kay Lankester seconded 

 the motion, which was carried without a dissentient. 



Unfortunately, the matter has not been allowed to rest there. 

 It was a compromise, and the opportunity for objection having 

 gone by, it seems scarcely fair to revive the question from time 

 to time. The pension was voted by an influential majority, to 

 which the minority should bow. 



* Two years later, however, the salary of the present Secretary was raised to 

 £800 a year. 



