274 Presidentship of Sir Humphry Davy 1821 



who was at this time much in evidence. He had been 

 President of the Geological Society in 1816-18, had published 

 in 1819 his now classic volumes on the Western Isles, and 

 issued this year his treatise on the Classification of Rocks, 

 while three years later he gave to the public four volumes 

 of letters to Sir Walter Scott on the Highlands and Islands 

 which roused the wrath of the West Highlanders to fever- 

 heat. He was elected into the Royal Society on i8th May 

 1820. 



Another friend and correspondent of Scott, William 

 Sotheby, dined with the Club on several occasions about 

 this time, and was elected a member next year. Some 

 particulars about him are given in the record of 1822. 



" Dr. Somerville," the guest of Dr. Wollaston, was pro- 

 bably the husband of Mary Somerville, whose writings in 

 science, and especially her " Connection of the Physical 

 Sciences/' made her one of the most eminent women of 

 her day. He married her in 1812. Towards the end of 

 1817 he was elected into the Royal Society, and two years 

 later he became physician to Chelsea Hospital. 



A large number of former visitors dined again with the 

 Club this year. They included Lord Melville, Charles 

 Babbage, Professor Buckland, Captain Parry, Captain 

 Sabine, Henry Holland, Henry Hallam, Francis Chantrey, 

 Sir Thomas M. Brisbane, Sir Sidney Smith, Captain Basil 

 Hall, Zachary Macaulay, Mr. Croker, and Dr. Young. 



1822. At the Anniversary on 6th June 1822, over which 

 the President presided and which was attended by twenty- 

 six members, the Treasurer's statement of the financial posi- 

 tion of the Club showed that the tavern bills had amounted 

 altogether to 127 6s. 6d., leaving in hand a balance of 

 16 6s. iod., to which there should be added 32 of unpaid 

 arrears due from several members. It was decided that 

 the contribution from each member for. the ensuing year 

 should be 3. The death of John Rennie was reported. 

 The names of six members were announced who had not 

 attended for more than twelve months, including one who 

 had not appeared for five years. The patience of the Club 



