496 



Anniversary Meeting. 



[Nov. 30, 



intimating a desire on the part of several of the Fellows of the Royal 

 Society, to promote the establishment of a permanent fund for the aid of 

 such scientific men, or their families, as may from time to time require and 

 deserve assistance. A scheme having been suggested, it was after some 

 modification approved, and adopted by the Council of the Eoyal Society, 

 and copies thereof were forwarded to the Fellows of the Chartered So- 

 cieties. 



It formed no part of the scheme to attempt the grant of annuities ; it 

 was rather intended to afford prompt relief of the immediate wants of 

 those upon whom sudden affliction had fallen ; although at the same time, 

 it in no way debarred a continuation of such relief being given should the 

 funds admit thereof. 



"The Committee, as originally named by Council Minutes of 22nd 

 December, 1859, consisted of Mr. Busk, Dr. W. A. Miller, Mr. Wheatstone, 

 Dr. Tyndall, and Mr. G assiot. Subsequently Dr. Carpenter, Mr. Sylvester, 

 and Mr. Huxley were appointed to succeed those Members who retired 

 by rotation ; and this year Dr. Miller and Mr. Gassiot will also retire ; 

 it being a regulation that no member can remain for a longer period than 

 five consecutive years on the Committee. 



The first Meeting took place on the 19th March 1860, Mr. Wheatstone 

 in the Chair. At this time .£3204 14s. had been received, and invested in 

 £3351 7s. 6c?. New 3 per Cents. In 1860 there was only one applicant 

 for relief; a sum was voted, but in consequence of the applicant's sudden 

 decease, the cheque was subsequently returned to the Treasurer and 

 cancelled. 



" In 1861 there were six applicants, to five of whom relief was afforded. 



" In 1862 there were four applicants, of whom three were relieved. 



" In 1863 there were five applicants, of whom four were relieved. 



" In 1864 there were two applicants — both were relieved, 



" The total amount thus expended has been £460 ; and there stiU remains 

 £233 Is. \ld, applicable for relief, exclusive of £17 2s., subscriptions to 

 be invested. 



" The amount of the Fund, as invested, consists of £5300 New 3 per cent. 

 Consols, every shilling (with the above exception of £17 2s.) which has 

 been received having been invested, without any deduction for expenses ; 

 the economical principle on which this Fund was originally founded has 

 been thus strictly carried out. The Council of the Royal Society grants 

 the use of a room, as well as the little stationery that is from time to time 

 required, and permits the Assistant-Secretary to summon a meeting of the 

 Members as soon as any application for relief is received. One of the 

 members of the Committee undertakes the duties of a Secretary, and in 

 this simple manner all expense is avoided, while the relief, if granted, is 

 immediate. The amount at disposal for distribution is necessarily limited 

 to the accumulation of interest, the gross amount of subscriptions being 

 invested. 



