290 Presidentship of Sir Humphry Davy 1826 



Herald were also visitors, and among those who had already 

 dined with the Club there came again this year Sir Stamford 

 Raffles, Sir Edward Codrington, Captain Parry, Dr. Buck- 

 land, and Robert Brown. 



Sir Humphry Davy's connection with the Club was now 

 drawing to a close. He attended it for the last time on 

 the 23rd November of this year. He had presided at its 

 weekly meetings as frequently as the state of his health 

 would permit, but he always needed a long rest in autumn, 

 so that for about three months in that part of the year 

 he did not appear. Even with the advantage of that recess, 

 the malady from which he suffered increased its hold upon 

 him, so that his attendance at the last was little more than 

 the half of what it had been at the beginning of his tenure 

 of office. He was able to preside for the last time at the 

 Anniversary of the Royal Society on St. Andrew's Day 

 this year. But his days for active scientific work were now 

 passed. He went abroad, travelled in Europe, wrote as 

 a pleasant occupation for his pen his well-known volumes 

 " Salmonia, or Days of Fly-fishing " and " Consolations in 

 Travel," and at last worn out with mental toil and en- 

 feebled health, died at Geneva on 2Qth May 1829, when 

 only in the fifty-first year of his age. 



1827. The Anniversary in 1827 took place on June I4th, Dr. 

 Davies Gilbert presiding. There were twenty-two members 

 present. A copy of rough notes made by the Treasurer 

 of the proceedings at this meeting was found among his 

 papers after his death, from which it appeared that the 

 expenses for the year had amounted to 90 75. 6d., leaving 

 a balance in hand of 12 33. iod., to which might be added 

 16 of arrears from six members. The Treasurer's notes 

 recommended that the subscription should be made 3, 

 and it may be presumed that this suggestion was adopted. 

 The death of Taylor Combe was announced. A vacancy 

 arose from the death of Matthew Raper, and another 

 from the election of Mr. Children to be Secretary of the 

 Royal Society, which entitled him to become an ex officio 

 member of the Club. These vacancies were filled by the 



