1808 G. B. Greenough ; Davies Gilbert 229 



by English geologists as that of the most strenuous of the 

 founders of the Geological Society of London. He was 

 mainly instrumental in bringing that Society this year 

 into being, in spite of the opposition of Sir Joseph Banks 

 and other prominent members of the Royal Society, who 

 thought that the rise of a new scientific body would damage 

 the prestige of their venerable institution unless made 

 subordinate to it. He was naturally chosen the first Presi- 

 dent of the infant Society, and for more than forty years 

 continued to watch over its progress with paternal interest. 



This year Henry Cavendish, who had for some time had 

 no guests at the Club, introduced the Spanish astronomer 

 Mendoza y Rios (already mentioned, p. 200), who was now 

 settled in London. 



1808. The Annual General Meeting in 1808 was held on 

 July I4th and was attended by nineteen members, Sir 

 Joseph Banks presiding. According to the Treasurer's 

 statement the disbursements to complete payment of 

 tavern-bills amounted to 42 6s. 6d. and an adverse balance 

 of 5 45. 8d. remained to be cleared off. The contribution 

 for the ensuing year was fixed at a guinea and a half. 



The death of Alexander Dalrymple was announced. Five 

 new members were duly elected, viz. Davies Giddy (Gilbert), 

 Benjamin Hobhouse, John Barrow, John Rennie and Sir 

 James Hall. 



Davies Giddy (Gilbert, F.R.S. 1791) has been already 

 mentioned (p. 195). Benjamin Hobhouse (F.R.S. 1798), 

 barrister of the Middle Temple and member of Parliament, 

 retired from political life in 1818 and devoted his attention 

 to the affairs of the societies and institutions with which 

 he was connected. He had been from time to time a 

 guest of the Club, and it may be mentioned that Henry 

 Cavendish seems to have been so desirous to see him 

 become a member that in the spring of this year he twice 

 invited him to the dinner. This new member proved to be 

 one of the most efficient in the Club. 



John Barrow (F.R.S. 1805), accompanied Lord Macartney's 

 embassy to China in 1792-4 and came into public notice 



