1785 Increase of Expenses iji 



" I repaired to the Society along with Messrs. Banks, Cavendish, 

 Maskelyne, Aubert, and Sir Henry Englefield ; we were all pretty 

 much enlivened, but our gaiety was decorous. 



" Doubtless, I should not wish to partake of similar dinners, if 

 they were to be followed by settling the interests of a great nation, 

 or discussing the best form of government ; that would neither be 

 wise nor prudent. But to meet in order to celebrate the admission 

 of an Elector Palatine, (who has, besides, much merit) to a learned 

 Society, is not a circumstance from which any inconvenience can 

 result." 1 



1785. The Annual General Meeting for 1785 was held on 

 July 28th and there were present : 



Sir Joseph Banks, Bart., President 

 Dr. Maskelyne Sir George Shuckburgh, Bart. 



Dr. Morton Sir George Baker, Bart. 



Dr. Warren General Roy 



Dr. Agar Mr. Banks Hodgkinson 



Dr. Watson Mr. Dalrymple 



Dr. Lort Mr. Holford 



Mr. Kaye Mr. Aubert 



Mr. Russell, Treasurer 



The Treasurer reported that his disbursements during 

 the past year had amounted to 31 6s. 6d., leaving a 

 balance against the Club of 10 2s. 7d. He explained that 

 this considerable debt arose from the payment of four 

 shillings instead of the former three for each person that 

 dined. The meeting unanimously decided that a call of half 

 a guinea should be made on each member. Since the last 

 Anniversary the total attendance at the meetings had been 

 675, consisting of 541 members and 134 visitors. 



The death of Mr. Duane and Dr. Huck-Saunders was 

 intimated. Dr. Patrick Russell, being still in the East 

 Indies, desired to resign his place in the Club which he 

 hoped to be allowed to resume at some future time when, 



when a formal resolution of the Club on the subject was passed. But 

 this resolution was rescinded ten years later. More hospitable treatment, 

 however, has now for a long time prevailed. 



1 A Journey through England and Scotland to the Hebrides in 1784, by 

 B. Faujas de Saint Fond. Revised edition of the English Translation, 

 edited with Notes by Archibald Geikie, Glasgow 1907, vol. I. p. 46. 



