414 



Anniversary Meeting. 



[Dec. 1, 



trouble on the part, of pur already hard- worked Secretaries ; but I am 

 equally sure that all those who have been present at those their viva 

 voce expositions will join with me in an expression of our sense of 

 the obligations which they have thus conferred upon us. 



Of the utility of printing copies of the abstracts of papers in time 

 for the meetings, and of circulating copies to the authors themselves, 

 I myself entertain no doubts. But it must still be admitted that full 

 use of these facilities has hardly yet been made, and that the dis- 

 cussions on the papers have not apparently been much promoted by 

 them. I trust, however, that the authors of papers and others who 

 may attend our weekly meetings will endeavour to make every use of 

 facilities which are afforded at a not inappreciable cost to the Society. 



There is a possible alteration in our arrangements which has often 

 appeared to me to be worthy of consideration, and which from con- 

 versations with some of our Fellows appears to meet with sufficient 

 support to justify my bringing it before this our anniversary. I refer 

 to the hour at which our weekly meetings are held. Hitherto, in 

 accordance with the usage of Scientific Societies in London, we have 

 met in the evening. But changes in the habits of society, and the 

 increasing distances from Burlington House at which many of our 

 Fellows reside, seem to render a large weekly attendance difficult. 

 On this account it appears to me desirable to inquire whether an 

 afternoon hour might not better suit the convenience of our members. 

 In that case, I should suggest 5.0 p.m. ; and as our meetings seldom 

 extend to two hours in duration, it would generally be practicable for 

 Fellows to reach home by about seven o'clock. 



I should, however, much regret if any such change should deprive 

 us of the pleasure and of the substantial benefits arising from the con- 

 versations in our tea room. And, having this in view, I would suggest 

 that on Thursday afternoons tea should be prepared an hour before 

 the meeting, so as to give opportunity for conversation to such of our 

 Fellows and their friends as might be disposed to avail themselves of it. 



Under such an arrangement for our weekly meetings, it would 

 doubtless Jbe necessary to make further provision for the Meetings of 

 the Council and of the Committee of Papers. On this point I should 

 desire the advice of the Council and the suggestions of individual 

 Fellows. But in the meantime I would venture to point out that it 

 might be sufficient to transfer either the Council or the Committee of 

 Papers, or both,, from the Thursday to the Wednesday. And although 

 the former plan would involve bringing the Members of Council rather 

 more often together, the total time occupied would not be increased ; 

 and it might be not without advantage that the Committee of Papers 

 should be held on an independent day. 



These changes, if adopted, would require the alteration of the 

 Statute relating to the hour of meeting. But if the suggestion were 



