HISTORY OF THE ROYAL SOCIETY OF NEW SOUTH WALES. 303 
question of altering the title of the Society to that of ““The 
Royal Society of New South Wales,”’ adopted by the Council 
on the 27th September :— 
(1) Considering the languishing condition of this Society, we 
are of opinion that some effort should be made to restore its vitality 
and raise it to that important and useful position that it ought to 
occupy. 
(2) It is not easy to account satisfactorily for the decline of 
this Society. We do not believe that it arises from a general 
indifference to Art and Science, but there is good reason to suppose 
that many are deterred from taking a direct interest in its pro- 
ceedings by the conviction that the subjects discussed are of that 
abstruse and abstract character that few have had time or oppor- 
tunity to study; and that there are no general or useful results to 
be derived from it. 
(3) The principal cause of this impression may be traced to the 
present title of the Society, which assigns to it an exclusiveness by 
which many are deterred from becoming members. 
(4) If then, as we consider a change of name desirable, the 
question arises, “‘What shall we adopt in its place”? Now ina 
British Colony we naturally incline to follow the precedent of 
Great Britain and its principal Dependencies, and in conformity 
with the course pursued in ‘‘ England, Scotland, Ireland, Victoria, 
and Tasmania,” we recommend that ‘‘the Philosophical Society ” 
should adopt the more comprehensive and expressive title of “the 
Royal Society of New South Wales.” 
(5) So far as we can learn, there appears to be no difficulty in 
effecting the proposed transformation. The principal formality 
will be to petition His Excellency the Governor to sanction, on 
behalf of Her Majesty, the desired alteration of title. 
(6) The actual details of the new Society should be the subject 
of future discussions; at present we suggest the following outline 
which will serve as a basis for future amendments :— 
I. The Royal Society should consist of Fellows and Associates. 
