of Edinburgh, Session 1862-63. 
13 
when the geological discussions to which I have referred made 
Edinburgh the chief centre of information on such subjects. They 
gave rise to the masterly papers of Sir James Hall, with which at 
that time the Transactions were enriched.* These were followed 
or accompanied by the early communications of Sir David Bre waster 
on Polarization and other parts of Optics, which added much to the 
scientific reputation of the Society. 
The accession of Sir Walter Scott to the presidency in 1820 did 
not reanimate the Literary section of the Society. He contributed 
no paper, although he at one time very regularly presided at the 
ordinary meetings. From 1832, when the printing of the “ Pro- 
ceedings” at every meeting commenced, to the present time, nothing 
in the history of the Society calls for special remark. During that 
period, as at former ones, there have been fluctuations in the pros- 
perity of the Society, both as I'egards the number and value of the 
communications received, and the interest taken in the meetings 
by the Fellows at large and by the general public. That such 
must occur the founders of the Eoyal Society were sufficiently 
aware. At the very opening of our Transactions we find it ob- 
served, that “ Institutions of this kind have their intervals of lan- 
guor as well as their periods of brilliancy and activity. Every 
associated body must receive its vigour from a few zealous and 
spirited individuals who find a pleasure in that species of business, 
which, were it left to the care of the members in general, would be 
often reluctantly submitted to, and always negligently executed. 
The temporary avocations, and still more the deaths of such men, 
have the most sensible effects on the societies to which they be- 
longed. The principle of activity which animated them, if not 
utterly extinguished, remains long dormant, and a kindred genius is 
required to call it into life.”f The truth of these remarks must be 
apparent to all who have had experience in such matters. They 
ought to encourage us to keep alive the interest of our meet- 
ings, and to maintain the character of our Society at times when 
* The last meeting at whicli Sir James Hall appears to have presided, was 
tliat of the 5th June 1820. He resigned the presidency in November follow- 
ing. His last paper printed in the Transactions, “ On the Consolidation of 
tlie Strata of the Earth,” was read in March 1825. 
t Trans. R. Soc. Edin., vol. i. p. 6. 
