702 



and Mathematics. As in the latter there was no paper coming 

 within the Royal regulations to which we could properly give the 

 medal, we were obliged by the same regulations to turn to the sub- 

 jects of Physics and Geology. We have, in consequence, awarded 

 the Medal in Physics to Mr. Grove, for the paper which constituted 

 the subject of the Bakerian Lecture ; and to Mr. Fownes, for papers 

 which, as Mr. Grove's, appear in the Philosophical Transactions. 

 I must request, in Mr. Fownes' absence, Dr. Bence Jones to receive 

 the medal and to transmit it to him. 



Dr. Bence Jones, 



In transmitting to Mr. Fownes this Royal Medal for his very valu- 

 able paper describing a new vegetable alkali, a discovery of the 

 highest chemical interest, I beg you to inform him of our deep regret 

 that illness should prevent his being present to receive it in person. 

 In a note to his paper, I find that in a manner very honourable to 

 himself, he has stated that in a portion of his discovery he had been 

 anticipated, though unknown to himself, by Mr. Wm. Coley Jones 

 of Plymouth. This acknowledgement on his part is what we should 

 naturally expect from a gentleman desirous to promote science for 

 its own sake, and therefore anxious to claim no further credit for his 

 own discoveries than was justly due to them. This circumstance 

 must necessarily lead the public to place more implicit faith in his 

 subsequent communications, which I hope may be numerous, and 

 that the Royal Society may have the honour to give them to the 

 world. 



Mr. Grove, 



It is with great pleasure that I place in your hands this Royal 

 Medal, for your very interesting and valuable pap*er with which you 

 have enriched our Transactions. It is, indeed, a good proof of the 

 love of science when a gentleman of your important and engrossing 

 profession is induced to employ the little leisure that is left him in 

 the pursuit of scientific investigation. We must therefore feel the 

 more obliged to you. It would be selfish in the Royal Society to 

 wish you an increase of that leisure, that she might profit by it ; but 

 I may be allowed to express the confident expectation that you will 

 always feel an anxious wish to promote the cause of science and the 

 increase of natural knowledge. 



Sir John Herschel, 



It is with the highest feelings of satisfaction that I perform the 

 duty of giving to you the Copley Medal for your long, and arduous, 

 and valuable labours in the service of astronomy at a very distant 

 part of our globe. 



I feel quite sure that every cultivator of that noble branch of 

 natural knowledge will agree that we could not find a son of science 

 more deserving of such a mark of our respect. That word is indeed 

 too cold to express the feelings entertained for yourself by the Royal 



