PRESIDENT OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY 57 



seem, from this note of Dr. Solander, that the opinion 

 was prompt and spontaneous, as it is given so early after 

 Dr. Pringle's announcement. By the time, however, 

 that the opening of the winter session approached, 

 several other names had been suggested for the vacancy. 

 There was arisen an anti-Banks party among Dr. Pringle's 

 friends ; and it appeared there would actually be a 

 contest for the vacant Chair. Banks wrote to Richard 

 Gough, November 23, asking his assistance in the candida- 

 ture, 1 and doubtless thought proper, once a point of 

 rivalry being admitted, to urge his personal friends to 

 give him their support. There can be no doubt, the 

 question having been raised so largely in his favour, that 

 Banks would be inclined to believe it a laudable ambition 

 to succeed Dr. Pringle. For a masterful spirit like his, 

 that inclination would soon resolve itself into an opinion 

 that the Society could not do better than choose him, 

 since so many of the members were in favour of the idea. 



Sir John Cullum to Rev. Michael Tyson. 



" December 7, 1778. 



" Mr. Banks was elected President, unanimously to 

 appearance by 220 votes. 



" There were 127 of us at dinner, among whom were 

 several of the Nobility. The dinner was late, owing 

 to the new President, who waited for the declaration of 

 the new Secretary, which was Mr. Maty, by a majority 

 of two to one. . . . The President came in a great hurry, 

 quite out of breath, and sitting down (I was opposite 

 to him) said with good humour, but with rather too little 

 dignity : ' I believe never did a President of the Royal 

 Society run so fast before.' However, his behaviour 

 throughout was very proper. ..." 



1 Nichols : Lit. Illus., IV, 693. 



