ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY. 277 



serve upon the views which the nominating party has put for- 1861. 

 ward. In the present case it has been proposed to me, by the Letter on 

 mere fact of election, and in no other way, to act as Vice- 

 President on the principle of filling offices only to pay compli- 

 ments, or else upon a principle of rotation, the compliment and 

 the system of rotation being settled by private canvass. Or if not 

 one of these, then upon the principle that the deliberate recom- 

 mendation of the Council may be set aside on no reason, either 

 assigned or discoverable. I disapprove equally of the compliment 

 reason, the rotation reason, and the nullity reason. I consider 

 them all as fraught with danger when applied without delibera- 

 tion. I am not prepared to say that, on due consideration of all 

 circumstances, the case might not arise in which any one of these 

 reasons might be sufficient. But I feel compelled to decline 

 action on either reason on no better support than the pro ratione 

 voluntas of the balloting-box. If, indeed, the promoters of the 

 change had come forward and had justified their course in public 

 meeting, I might possibly, though not concurring in their 

 reasons, have been able to accept the deliberate conclusion of the 

 Society, in lieu of the deliberate conclusion of the Council. I 

 have much respect for the result of argument, even when I do 

 not feel convinced by the argument itself. But I will not act in 

 the affairs of a Society which rejects the recommendation of its 

 best advisers on grounds which those who promote the rejection 

 do not submit to discussion ; and, were I not satisfied that the 

 successful majority do not comprehend the character of their 

 own proceeding, I should look upon them as almost wanting in 

 courtesy for not taking the pains to ascertain whether I could 

 meet their views, or whether they would have to substitute for 

 my name that of one of the gentlemen whose advice they were 

 disposed to prefer to mine. As it is, however, I can thank them 

 without reservation for the honour which I decline. 



I cannot help saying that it will give me much satisfaction 

 to hear that no one but myself, however much he may be con- 

 vinced that a new and perilous period in the history of the Society 

 has commenced, judges it necessary to carry matters so far as I 

 have done. And with this, coupled with the expression of the 

 deep regret with which I separate myself from those with whom 

 I have so long acted in the most friendly concert, I remain, 

 gentlemen, 



Yours sincerely, 



A. DE MORGAN. 



