1855 George Gabriel Stokes 369 



The new President, like his predecessor, a practical astro- 

 nomer, studied the science by observation of the heavens 

 at two small observatories which he had constructed, one 

 at Blackheath and the other at Wrottesley. He had 

 assisted in founding the Astronomical Society of which 

 he was for ten years Secretary, afterwards President, and 

 which in 1839 awarded to him its gold medal for a catalogue 

 of stars. He was elected into the Royal Society in 1841. 

 A change likewise took place in the Secretaryship of the 

 Society owing to the resignation of Thomas Bell. Professor 

 George Gabriel Stokes was now chosen Secretary. Two 

 fresh ex-qfficio members were thus provided, if they chose 

 to avail themselves of the position. The President at once 

 intimated his willingness to become a member, though 

 he did not attend any of the meetings until March I5th 

 of the following year. Professor Stokes, living in Cambridge 

 and busy there with his lectures and other calls on his time, 

 having, moreover, his heavy secretarial duties for the Royal 

 Society, preferred not to join the Club for the present. He 

 continued to be Secretary of the Royal Society for more 

 than thirty years and during that time it does not appear 

 that he ever joined the Club. If he did so, it must have 

 been temporarily during that interval of years of which 

 the weekly registers have not survived. When he exchanged 

 the Secretaryship for the Presidency of the Royal Society 

 in 1885 he at once took his place in the Club as its President. 

 1855. At the Anniversary Meeting on 28th June 1855 

 there were present : 



Lord Wrottesley, President 



Sir Benjamin C. Brodie The Earl of Rosse 



Colonel Leake Sir Roderick I. Murchison 



Professor Wheatstone Dr. Roget 



General Monteith - Sir John Rennie 



Dr. Mayo Robert E. Broughton 



Rev. Baden Powell William H. Pepys 



Dr. Daubeny Dr. Charles Holland 



John Dickinson Colonel Sabine 



Edward Hawkins Thomas Bell 



Robert Brown Dr. Sharpey 



Joseph Smith, Treasurer 



