PRESIDENTS ADDRESS. 31 
men of science who are scattered over the wide areas of English- 
speaking countries, but it does not appear to be very easy to 
suggest a method for bringing this about. 
It is really very difficult to suggest any improvement upon the 
present relationship between the parent Society and non-resident 
English-speaking men of science certainly as far as the Colonies 
are concerned, for any one who really does good work in the 
Colonies is seldom overlooked, but his merits are usually duly 
acknowledged by election to the Fellowship of the Royal Society. 
There are probably many earnest workers in science in English- 
speaking countries who would like to be connected with the Royal 
Society, and who are well fitted, as far as attainments go, to be 
elected to its Fellowship ; but I fear that many difficulties will be 
met with in trying to bring about any change in the present system. 
One amongst others is, that the number of Fellows, at present 
limited to 500, would have to be very largely increased ; for if we 
assume that there are sixty to seventy millions of the English- 
speaking race resident elsewhere than in the United Kingdom, and 
the proportion of men worthy and desirous of the undoubtedly 
great honor of its Fellowship be anything like that amongst those 
resident in the United Kingdom, then the 500 would have to be 
made at least 1,000, and probably much more, a number which 
would swamp the old Royal Society. 
Personally I am inclined to think, as a beginning (I, however, 
make the suggestion with considerable diffidence and with all 
respect), until some workable scheme has been evolved, that perhaps 
the Royal Society might be able to grant certain privileges to the 
members of the older and recognized Colonial and American 
Societies. The members of the branch Societies—for the Colonial 
and American Societies are really offshoots of the original Royal 
Society—when visiting the old country might be given increased 
privileges for attending its meetings, be allowed access to its 
valuable library, &e., and they might perhaps be granted copies of 
its publications at reduced prices. 
