by Cavendish and Watt) of the composition of water. In the following year Sir W. Herschel began to construct his 40-ft. telescope, the cost of which, amounting to 4000l., was generously borne by the King. In 1788 the first instance of the subdivision of scientific labour in the metropolis occurred in the establishment of the Linnæan Society. An Italian professor, named Volta, began, in 1793, to communicate to the

world, through the

medium of the

Royal Society, his

discoveries in electricity, and won at their hands the Copley medal. Soon after the society received a valuable present of oriental manuscripts from Sir William Jones, and also a gift of 1000l. from Count Rumford, for the biennial bestowment of a gold and silver medal on the author of the best discovery or improvement on the subject of light or heat. The first medals were given

HENRY CAVENDISH.

to the Count himself, as no other discoveries had been made of equal importance with his own. In 1800 the Royal Institution in Albemarle Street originated with the Fellows of the Royal Society, and in 1807 the Geological Society. The subject of standard weights and measures occupied the attention of the Royal Society for a long period. A "Pendulum Committee" was likewise appointed, and proper persons were sent out with the north-west and the Polar expeditions to make scientific observations.

In 1801 the discoveries of Sir Humphry Davy began to draw attention to that distinguished philosopher; and from that period to 1829 there is scarcely a volume of the Transactions that is not enriched by a communication from him. In 1806 his paper on chemical agencies attracted the admiration of all Europe, won Napoleon's

prize of 3000 fr., and was crowned by the Institute of France, though we were at open war with that country. In 1816 the safety lamp was presented and explained to the society. The coal-owners acknowledged this invention by subscribing 2500l. for a service of plate, which they presented to Davy.

At the death of George III., in 1820, the society lost a valuable friend. The same year also took from them their respected President, Sir Joseph Banks, whose death was generally and sincerely regretted. Dr. Wollaston took his office for a few months, but could only be prevailed on to sustain it until the anniversary meeting, when it was bestowed on Sir Humphry Davy. The brilliant career of this distinguished man was nearly over when he was chosen to this highly honourable post; the following are a few of the principal events which occurred under his presidency :-geological discoveries by Dr. Buckland; philosophical communications by Sir John Herschel, and researches during the Arctic Expedition by Captain (now Colonel) Sabine, won for each the award of the Copley medal; trigonometrical operations were carried on for connecting the meridians of Paris and Greenwich; a plan for calculating and printing mathematical tables by machinery was submitted by Mr. Babbage, but, after years of labour and cost, was suspended by the withdrawal of government aid; a valuable invention for the protection of ships from lightning was made by Mr. (now Sir William) Snow Harris, and warmly approved by Sir Humphry Davy and the council, who urged its immediate adoption. Two gold medals of the value of 50 guineas each were awarded by George IV., as honorary premiums for important discoveries (they are continued by her present Majesty).

In 1827 Sir Humphry Davy, on account of declining health, resigned the Presidency, and was succeeded by Mr. Davies Gilbert.

The year previous to this event the society obtained increased accommodation at Somerset House by the grant of rooms formerly used for the business of the Lottery Office, which was still further extended some years later by the addition of the rooms of the Privy Seal Office. In 1828 Dr. Wollaston established the Donation Fund, vesting 20007., the dividends from which, at his decease, were to be liberally expended in promoting experimental research. Other benefactors soon followed his example, raising the fund to 34107. In 1829 the Earl of Bridgewater left 8000l., in order that a person or persons selected by the President, might write, print, and publish 1000 copies of a work on the power, wisdom, and goodness of God as manifested in creation. The President, with the advice of the Archbishop of Canterbury and Bishop of London, appointed eight gentlemen to write separate treatises. Thus arose the celebrated Bridgewater Treatises, which, with their authors, are very generally known. The science of meteorology was at this time earnestly studied, and a water barometer, contrived by the late Professor Daniel, was placed in the hall of the society's apartments.

That eminent man died suddenly in 1845, in the presence of the council at their meeting. In 1830 William IV., on ascending the throne, was addressed in the customary manner, and became patron of the society, declaring that "he would be proud to take every opportunity of promoting the interests of an institution whose great object is the cultivation of science, and the discovery of truth." During this year the President resigned his chair, and was succeeded by the Duke of Sussex. The opening address of his Royal Highness was one of much beauty and interest, and he thus defined the duties of the President:-"The ostensible duties, in fact, of your President are chiefly ministerial: he is your organ to ask and receive your decisions upon the various questions which are submitted to you; and he is your public voice to announce them. Though he presides at the meetings of your Council, he possesses but one voice among many; incurring an equal responsibility in common with every one of its members. He is your official representative in the administration of the affairs of the British Museum; he presides in your name, by virtue of your election of him at the board of visitors of the Royal Observatory as appointed by his Majesty's warrant; he is your medium of communication with public bodies, and with the members of the government upon the various subjects important to the interests of science, which are either submitted to your consideration or which are recommended by you through your Council for the consideration of others. For many of these functions," adds his Royal Highness, "I feel myself to be somewhat prepared by my habits of life, as well as by my public occupations; and for some of them, if I may be permitted to say so, by that very rank in which Providence has placed me as a member of the Royal Family of this country; for though it would be most repugnant to my principles and wishes, that the weight of my station should in any way influence the success of an application which it was either improper to ask or inexpedient to grant, I should feel it to be equally due to the dignity of this society and to my own, that the expression of your opinions and of your wishes should experience both the respect and the prompt attention to which it is so justly entitled." The Duke of Sussex held office as President until 1838, when he tendered his resignation, having been prevented for some time previously, by the state of his eyesight, from fulfilling all the duties of the office. The Marquis of Northampton was then elected in his room, and continued to occupy the chair of the Royal Society until the year 1849, when the present president, the Earl of Rosse, was elected.

The Council of the Royal Society consists of 21 members, including the President, of whom 10 must retire annually. There are several vice-presidents, one of whom acts as treasurer; and 3 secretaries, one of whom is foreign secretary. In addition to the Council, there are 7 scientific committees, each having its own chairman and secretary, and each labouring in its own department. Thus, there

are the committees of Mathematics, Astronomy, Physics, Chemistry, Zoology, Botany, and Mineralogy. The library amounts to about 42,000 volumes, and is kept at the society's apartments in Somerset House. The meetings are held every Thursday, at half-past 8, P.M., from the third Thursday in November to the third Thursday in June, with the exception of a short interval at Christmas, Easter, and Whitsuntide, on Ascension Day, on the week of the anniversary meeting, and that for the election of fellows. The meeting for the election of the officers of this society takes place on St. Andrew's Day, November 30. Every Fellow is known by the initials F.R.S.

The subscription to the Royal Society is 47. annually, with an admission fee of 107. The annual subscription can be compounded for by the payment of 60%. A candidate for a fellowship must have his certificate signed by 6 fellows, 3 of whom must be personally acquainted with him. His name will be announced on the 1st of March, and his certificate suspended in the meeting-room until the first Thursday in June, when the election usually takes place. Of the total number of applicants for this honour, 15 are selected by the Council, and recommended for election; but every Fellow may use his own discretion in the matter, and may bestow his vote on some other applicant, so that the total number he votes for does not exceed 15. A majority of two-thirds is necessary in every case, and the election goes for nothing if the new Fellow omits to present himself for formal admission on or before the fourth Monday afterwards.

The accompanying engraving of the meeting-room (see the opposite page) has been made by the permission of the council. This room contains a series of highly-interesting portraits of some of the most distinguished members of the society. There are also a few busts, including that of the founder, Charles II.

THE SOCIETY OF ANTIQUARIES, SOMERSET HOUSE.

Date of Charter, 1751.

The Society of Antiquaries was founded by Archbishop Parker, in 1572, with the object of preserving such ancient historical and other documents as by the recent dissolution of religious houses, and the devastations committed at the period, were placed in jeopardy. A second object was to keep alive a taste for subjects of antiquarian interest, by the reading of papers and dissertations at their ordinary meetings. Their most active member at this period was Arthur Agard, several of whose papers were afterwards published. It was the intention of the society to apply to Queen Elizabeth for a charter of incorporation as "An Academy for the Studye of Antiquity and History, under a President, two Librarians, and a number of Fellows, with a body of statutes; the Library to be called The Library of Queen Elizabeth,' and to be well furnished with scarce books, original charters, muniments, and other MSS.; the members to take the oath of supremacy, and another to preserve the Library; the

B B