SITTINGS OF THE COUNCIL. 
649 
draft could not thus be prepared for the approval of the Council, 
and there was not sufficient time to prepare another before the 
sitting of the Board. A good deal of discussion arose respecting 
the nature of a Memorial to embody the views of the Council, so 
that the objects they have always had in view should be fairly 
and properly stated ; and after the matter had received due con- 
sideration, it was decided to add two other members to those at 
present forming the Committee, and leave the arrangement of the 
Memorial to them. 
Mr. W. Arthur Cherry, the Honorary Secretary to the Regis- 
tration Committee, laid before the Council the circular which the 
committee had drawn up, as also the advertisement, and stated the 
plan generally proposed to be adopted in the present stage of the 
Registration, all of which met with the high approval of the 
Council. Progress was also reported. Mr. Arthur Cherry stated, 
in the course of his report, that there were not near the number 
of circulars sent to those members whose addresses were known 
as he could wish ; but he had found that there were so many ad- 
ditions, alterations, and corrections — those already known amount- 
ing to nearly two hundred — -that there had been sufficient occu- 
pation to get them into something like form ; that the replies from 
members generally were very satisfactory, and evinced every de- 
sire to assist in the object sought. 
A letter from Dr. Mercer, in reply to the question directed to 
be put to him at the last sitting, was read by the Secretary, in which 
the fact was admitted that he, Dr. M., had given a report to the 
Highland Society, not having made such report to the Council, 
and referring the Council to the Report itself, but not stating how 
or where such Report could be seen. 
The Secretary wrote to the Secretary to the Highland Society, 
asking for a copy of this said report of Dr. Mercer’s, or begging to 
be informed where the same could be procured, to which a reply 
was received — that, as this report had not yet been fully considered 
by the Council of the Highland Society, he, the Secretary, was not 
at liberty to furnish a copy, nor, of course, was the same as yet 
published. 
There could be now no doubt that Dr. Mercer had acted im- 
properly, as Dr. M. had himself admitted the fact. The question, 
therefore, assumed two forms ; first, whether the Council should at 
once proceed to the consideration of the question ; or, secondly, 
whether another application should be made to Dr. Mercer, apply- 
ing for a copy of the report he had sent to the Highland Society, 
and thus giving him the opportunity of explanation. 
Parties were divided on these two opposite points, and strong 
opinions were given on both sides; but, ultimately, the second form 
VOL. xix. 4 T 
