235 



The Secretary reported, on the part of the Council, that they had 

 received an application from the Lords of the Treasury, for their opi- 

 nion respecting the construction and mode of applying an instrument 

 for ascertaining and charging the duty on spirits : in compliance with 

 which they appointed a Committee to conduct the investigations re- 

 quired for that purpose. The Committee, after bestowing consider- 

 able labour and pains on this subject, agreed in a Report, which was 

 adopted by the Council, and transmitted to the Lords of the Treasury, 

 and for which they have received their thanks, for the labour and at- 

 tention they have given to this subject. They have lately also received 

 an intimation from the Treasury, that their further assistance will be 

 requested to superintend, examine, and assist in the construction of 

 the instruments and tables which will be required. 



The Treasurer made the following statements with respect to the 

 Number of Fellows, the State of the Finances, and the Receipts and 

 Payments of the Society during the preceding year. 



At the last Anniversary, the Society consisted of 748 Members ; 

 of whom there were, 



1 1 Royal Personages, 



45 Foreign Members, and 

 692 Home Members. 



Since that date, there have died, 



20 on the Home List, and 



4 on the Foreign List, 



and there have been admitted, 



17 on the Home List, with 

 1 re-admission, and 



5 on the Foreign List. Of whom 

 8 have compounded for life, and 



10 have engaged to pay the Annnal Subscription of 41. 



The Society therefore now consists of, 



11 Royal Personages, 



46 Foreign Members, and 

 690 Home Members ; 



making a total of 747 Members ; of whom 



595 have compounded for life, 



403 at the rate of 271. 6s. 



192 at the rate of 40Z. 0s. 

 44 are subject to an annual payment of 21. l§s. 

 51 are subject to an annual payment of 41. 0s. 



