Page:History of the Royal Astronomical Society (1923).djvu/20

similar, and indeed a more violent, attack was made at the establishment of the Geological Society, and also of the Royal Institution, and which only tended to unite more firmly the original members, we hope that a similar result will also be produced here.

It seems also worthy of record that in Sir John Herschel's Diary there are the following entries:—

Sat., Feb. 26.—Committee of Astronomical. Dined with Mr. Baily.

Sun., Feb. 27.—Sir J. Banks.

Mon., Feb. 28.—Went in morning to Dr. Pearson's at East Sheen where I spent the day. In morning read over with the Dr. his paper on Micrometers for Astron. Society. Mrs. P. & Mr. & Mrs. Moffat were the party besides the Dr. & myself. In evening after a little music returned to London.

Tues., Feb. 29.—Took up quarters at Bedford Place & dined there. My Father and Mother came to dinner. Evening, attended the meeting of the Astronomical Society, at which my Father was voted a Vice-President. Babbage, one of y^e English Secretaries, & myself y^e Foreign.

N.B.—Duke of Somerset, Pres., to whom with the other Secretaries I was introduced by Dr. Pearson. Supped with Babbage.

Fri., Mar. 3.—Returned to Slough with my Father & Mother, calling on my uncle B. on the way.

Mon., Mar. 13.—Wrote to F. Baily in expression of strong indignation at the part Sir J. Banks has thought proper to take respecting the Astronomical Society in persuading the Duke of Somerset to resign y^e Presidentship—also desiring information on the subject of the private observatories on the Continent.

The cryptic entry of February 27 between two notes about the new Society, which was clearly occupying Sir John's thoughts to a considerable extent, can scarcely be interpreted otherwise than that Sir J. Banks must have known of the new Society on February 27, though he delayed action until after February 29. But without further preamble let us inspect the Minutes of the March meeting of Council:—

Minutes of Council

 

Friday, March 10, 1820

 

The first meeting of the Council took place this day at 3 o'clock in the afternoon; present: H. T. Colebrooke, Esq.; S. Groombridge, Esq.; Rev. Dr. Pearson; F. Baily, Esq.; Col. M. Beaufoy; Capt. T. Colby; T. Harrison, Esq.; D. Moore, Esq.; E. Troughton, Esq. S. Groombridge, Esq., in the chair.