hat it is impossible to
suppose their decision could be influenced by any personal motives. As I
may not have had sufficient opportunities, during the short time I was
a member of that Council, to enable me to form a fair estimate, I shall
avail myself of the judgment of one, from whom no one will be inclined
to appeal, who knew it long and intimately, and who expressed his
opinion deliberately and solemnly.

The late Dr. Wollaston attached, as a condition to be observed in the
distribution of the interest of his munificent gift of 2,000L. to the
Royal Society, the following clause:--"And I hereby empower the said
President, Council, and Fellows, after my decease, in furtherance of the
above declared objects of the trust, to apply the said dividends to aid
or reward any individual or individuals of any country, SAVING ONLY
THAT NO PERSON BEING A MEMBER OF THE COUNCIL FOR THE TIME BEING, SHALL
RECEIVE OR PARTAKE OF SUCH REWARD."

Another improvement which might be suggested, is, that it is generally
inexpedient to vote a medal until the paper which contains the discovery
is at least read to the Society; perhaps even it might not be quite
unreasonable to wish that it should have been printed, and consequently
have been perused by some few of those who have to decide on its merits.
These trifles have not always been attended to; and even so lately as
the last year, they escaped the notice of the President and his Council.
The Society was, however, indebted to the good sense of Mr. Faraday, who
declined the proffered medal; and thus relieved us from one additional
charge of precipitancy. [When this hasty adjudication was thus put
a stop to, one of the members of the Council inquired, whether, as a
Copley medal must by the will he annually given, some other person might
not be found deserving of it. To which the Secretary replied, "We do
not intend to give any this year." All further discussion was thus
silenced.]

Perhaps, also, as the Council are on some occasions apt to be oblivious,
it might be convenient that the President should read, previously to the
award of any medals or to the decision of any other important subjects,
the statutes relating to them. He might perhaps propitiate their
attention to them, by stating, HOW MUCH IT IMPORTETH TO THE CONSISTENCY
OF THE COUNCIL TO BE ACQUAINTED WITH THE LAWS ON WHICH THEY ARE ABOUT TO
DECIDE.

If those who have been conversant with the internal management of the
Council