1776 Tavern Arrangements 137 



to resign his membership so as to make way for some one 

 who could attend. Eventually this desire was complied 

 with. When he finally came back to England he applied 

 to be readmitted a member, and this request was also con- 

 ceded at the annual general meeting in 1789. 



At the General Meeting in 1776 a Committee was 

 appointed to consider the question of the number to be 

 provided for at the dinners. This Committee met on 22nd 

 August and drew up a Report which was adopted at a special 

 meeting of the Club on iQth September, at which Mr. Cox, 

 the vintner, being called in, expressed his acceptance of 

 the terms proposed. It was then ordered that the recom- 

 mendations of the Report should take effect from the 7th 

 November next. The Report recommended : 



" That a dinner be provided for such a number as the Treasurer 

 shall order from time to time ; and if the number of the company 

 shall exceed the number provided for, the dinner shall be made up 

 with the best beef-steaks, mutton-chops, lamb-chops, veal-cutlets 

 or pork-steaks, instead of made-dishes or any dearer provisions. 



That three shillings per head be allowed for each person in 

 company for Eating, strong and small beer. 



That two pence per head be allowed for the Waiter. 



That Mr. Cox shall buy such wine for the use of the Society as the 

 Treasurer shall think proper, at a price not exceeding 45 per pipe 

 or Eighteen pence a bottle, which shall have a particular seal upon 

 the cork ; and that Mr. Cox may charge for what shall be drunk 

 at the rate of two shillings and sixpence a bottle, and may also 

 charge in the Bill for any other wine or spirituous liquor that may 

 be called for." 



The attendance at the dinners was remarkably good 

 throughout this year. Even during the autumn months, 

 when the number to be provided for at each dinner was 

 fixed at ten, there was never once a deficiency from nth 

 July to 26th September. During that interval gifts of 

 venison came in rapid succession, and there would seem 

 to have been always a company sufficiently large to do 

 justice to the fare. 



In accordance with the regulations Joseph Planta, who 

 was elected Secretary of the Royal Society on 3oth Nov- 

 ember this year, became ex officio a member of the Club. 



