146 Presidentship of Sir Joseph Banks 1779 



captain of artillery at Chandernagore and Plassey, he was 

 made provincial commander-in-chief in Bengal in 1770. 

 Returning to England, he entered Parliament as member 

 for Wallingford. He had been knighted in 1763. He 

 became F.R.S. in 1775. 



The same meeting at which these members were elected 

 passed a resolution " That no person in future be admitted a 

 member of this Society in consequence of any Present he shall 

 make to it." The roll of Honorary Members had gradually 

 diminished, partly from a lessening number of presents of 

 game, and partly, we must hope, from a growing perception 

 that this method of introduction into the Club was objec- 

 tionable. The only name still retained on the books was 

 that of the Earl of Hardwicke who, ever since, as the Hon. 

 Philip Yorke, he headed the Honorary list, had continued 

 to take an active interest in the prosperity of the Club. 



The foreign visitors this year included the Padre Font ana 

 and Baron Fabroni, who were still in this country pursuing 

 the objects of their mission. Dr. Ingenhousz likewise re- 

 appeared and was a frequent visitor throughout the year. 

 General Paoli and Baron de Geer were also occasionally 

 guests. A new face was that of Giuseppe Poli, who dined 

 on 2ist January. He was brought up among the Jesuits, 

 studying especially the natural sciences and medicine at 

 Padua. During a tour of the larger towns of Europe, he 

 everywhere made acquaintance with the more prominent 

 men of science. Returning to Naples, he was appointed 

 to teach the cadets and to be tutor to the hereditary Prince 

 who became Francis I. He was elected into the Royal 

 Society on May 6th of this year. Count de Marshall dined 

 several times during the summer. In the winter months 

 there came Baron Podmanctzky and Dr. Czenpinsky ; the 

 former was elected into the Royal Society during the follow- 

 ing summer. 



The English visitors included Lord Palmerston, who next 

 year was elected into the Club, Lord Balgonie, Mr. Paradise, 

 the Hon. Robert Greville and " Mr. Professor Stewart." 

 The last-named gentleman was twice invited during the 



