A few later extracts are deferred for use in other connections. From the above we gather the important fact that the preliminary meeting was held either before or after dinner at the Freemason's Tavern on January 12. Many years later De Morgan rejoiced to find other evidence of this dinner, which had become almost legendary: the diary shows that it was a pleasant addition to the formal business of the preliminary meeting, fully preserved for us in the Minutes, which may now be given verbatim:—
Minutes of the General Meetings of the Astronomical
Society of London
Wednesday, January 12, 1820
2. Arthur Baily, Esq., No. 6 Gower Street.
3. Francis Baily, Esq., F.L.S., Gray's Inn.
4. Capt. Thomas Colby, of the Royal Engineers, LL.D., F.R.S.E., Tower.
5. Henry Thomas Colebrooke, Esq., F.R.S. & S.A., Albany, Piccadilly.
6. Olinthus G. Gregory, LL.D., Woolwich.
7. Stephen Groombridge, Esq., F.R.S. , Blackheath.
8. John Fred. W. Herschel, Esq., M.A., F.R.S.L. & E., Slough.
9. Patrick Kelly, LL.D., Finsbury Square.
10. Daniel Moore, Esq., F.R.S., S.A., and L.S., Lincoln's Inn.
11. Rev. William Pearson, LL.D., F.R.S., East Sheen.
12. James South, Esq., 11 Blackman Street, Southwark.
13. Charles Stokes, Esq., F.S.A. & L.S., Gray's Inn.