386 The Centenary of the Geological Society of London. 
Jacques Louis Comte de Bournon (1751-1825), Humphry Davy 
(1778-1829), James Franck (—1848), George Bellas Greenough (1778— 
1855), Richard Knight (-1844), James Laird (—1840), James 
Parkinson (-1824), William Hasledine Pepys (1775-1856), Richard 
Phillips (1778-1851), and William Phillips (17738-1828). It was 
resolved at this meeting (particulars of which are to be found in the 
first Minute Book of the Society) :— 
‘“‘That there be forthwith instituted a Geological Society, for the purpose of 
making geologists acquainted with each other, of stimulating their zeal, of 
inducing them to adopt one nomenclature, of facilitating the communication 
of new facts, and of ascertaining what is known in their science, and what yet 
remains to be discovered. 
‘“That the gentlemen present, with Mr. Pepys and Mr. William Phillips, who 
have been prevented from attending this meeting, be considered the first 
members of the Geological Society. 
‘¢ That henceforth members be chosen by ballot. Any person desirous of becoming 
a member, having communicated his wish through the Secretary to the 
Society, without being proposed or recommended in any other manner, shall 
be balloted for at the next meeting. The election to be unanimous. 
‘«'That no person resident in London attend more than two meetings of the Society 
without becoming a member. 
“«That each member shall be at liberty to introduce a visitor, under the preceding 
regulation. 
‘That the Society dine together, at the Freemasons’ Tavern, on the first Friday 
of every month, from November to June inclusive, at 15s. per head, visitors 
to pay as well as members. Dinner to be on the table at five o’clock precisely. 
Fine for non-attendance 10s. 6d. Any member may avoid this fine by sending 
notice to the Secretary of his intention to be absent, three days before the 
meeting. 
‘‘ That at the last meeting in June a subscription be raised to defray incidental 
expenses incurred by the Treasurer for the purposes of the Society. 
‘‘That G. B. Greenough, Esq., M.P., be treasurer, and Dr. Laird secretary, for 
the ensuing year. 
*«That a book be provided for recording the minutes of the Society and for the 
insertion, by members and visitors, of any geological intelligence that may be 
presented. Hvery communication must be signed by the person who makes it. 
p “* (Signed) G. B. GreEnovuGH.”’ 
The meetings of the Society and its Committees appear to have been 
held in a room temporarily engaged at the Freemasons Tayern. The 
Society thus began its existence much in the form of a geological 
dining club, a feature which gradually disappeared. Moreover, the 
system of fines was not a success, for in June, 1809, it was announced 
that though the fines amounted to £37 16s., £6 16s. 6d. only had 
hitherto been received. 
On December 4th, 1807, the Right Hon. C. F. Greville was invited 
to become the patron, Mr. Greenough was elected the first president, 
and Mr. W.H. Pepys became treasurer. It was also decided that forty- 
two persons be elected honorary members of the Society, and these 
seem to have been chosen from all parts of the British Islands, and to 
have included such men as Richard Bright of Bristol, Joseph Carne of 
Penzance, J. J. Conybeare and John Kidd of Oxford, EK. D. Clarke 
and John Hailstone of Cambridge, Robert Jameson and John Playfair 
of Edinburgh, Richard Kirwan of Dublin, and others. 
An extraordinary omission occurs in this list of names, that of 
William Smith, and it is recorded by John Phillips that Smith was 
‘almost unnoticed, except by visits from Mr. Greenough, the 
