of Edinbmyh , Session 1870-71. 
283 
The three secretaries accordingly, in December 1836, reported 
how this object might be brought about, viz., that 
“ The members of Council to whom papers are referred for preliminary 
examination shall, after perusal, advise with the authors in what manner they 
may be shortened in reading them to the Society. The secretaries farther 
submit, that some course of this kind is imperiously called for, by the increas¬ 
ing number and value of the communications presented to the Society. 
They farther express their conviction, that the change in question, if acted on 
by authors, will add greatly to the spirit of the Society's meetings, and to the 
interest of the members in its proceedings.” 
They add in their report, u That the public business, if time 
enough be left, should be concluded with verbal communications 
of scientific news.” 
This report was adopted and approved of by the Council, and 
ordered to be printed, so that I have no doubt it was communi¬ 
cated to the Society generally, and attempted to be carried out. 
In now therefore bespeaking renewed attention to this subject, 
I only desire to urge wdiat seems to have been alike intended 
by the founders of the Society, and aimed at by those who have 
preceded us in the Society’s management. 
The advantages of a good attendance of members at our meet¬ 
ings, and also of a discussion of the papers read at them, are 
obvious. It is for the credit of the Society, that its members 
should take an interest in its objects, and show that interest by 
attending its meetings. It is an encouragement to literary and 
scientific authors to bring forward papers, when they know that 
these will be read, not to dead benches, but to living associates, 
and to associates who will listen, and some of whom will state, after 
hearing the papers, whether they appreciate the views contained in 
them. It is also an advantage to members to have an opportunity 
of meeting one another, for the purpose of cultivating friendly 
intercourse, and obtaining information. 
In the Geological Society of London—the only Society there, 
whose meetings I have had an opportunity of attending—special 
means are taken to induce a good attendance, and also to induce 
verbal discussion at evening meetings. As papers are more intel¬ 
ligible and attractive when illustrated by diagrams, authors of 
papers are encouraged to exhibit diagrams whenever that is 
possible, the Society paying the cost of them, subject to certain 
