428 Presidentship of William Spottiswoode 1879 



everyday life which form so large a part of cultivated con- 

 versation, their friends and messmates from the outer world 

 could often bring a freshness and vividness of view which 

 men engrossed in physical or biological research, or in the 

 laborious work of teaching, were less in a position to 

 acquire. It is not that the Society has absolutely closed 

 its portals to the admission of persons who cannot properly 

 be called men of science. There has been a rule for some 

 years that persons " who either have rendered conspicuous 

 service to the cause of science, or are such that their election 

 would be of signal benefit to the Society " may be recom- 

 mended for election to the Fellowship ; " provided that 

 not more than two should be so recommended in any one 

 calendar year, and if two persons be elected in any one 

 year, there shall be no election in the following year." 

 Obviously this minute dose of non-scientific leaven would 

 be long in effecting any serious change in the membership, 

 though to its operation the ranks of the Society now owe 

 the presence of some illustrious men who would not other- 

 wise have been elected. The Council, however, has recently 

 been induced to revise that statute with the view of throwing 

 the doors of the Society more widely open. It is now 

 proposed that the Council may recommend to the Society 

 for election (a) Privy Councillors whose election would assist 

 the work of the Society, and (b) Men distinguished in the 

 scientific or educational service of the State, or by their 

 services to science and its application ; provided that the 

 number of Fellows in either Class shall not exceed twenty- 

 five at any time, and that in Class (b) not more than five 

 shall be elected in any one year. The Society and the 

 Club could not fail to benefit from this moderate amendment 

 of procedure, if it be liberally and judiciously carried out. 

 The reform might even with advantage be extended so as 

 to include a few of the leading representatives of Literature 

 and Art, of the Church and of the Military services, as was 

 the practice in the youth of the Royal Society. 



1880. At the Anniversary Meeting on June 24th 1880 the 

 following members were present : 



