ring
disposition, which frequently marks the man of real knowledge, as
strongly as an officious interference and flippant manner do the
charlatan, or the trader in science. Some portion of it is due to that
improper deference which was long paid to every dictum of the President,
and much of it to that natural indisposition to take trouble on any
point in which a man's own interest is not immediately concerned. It is
to be hoped, for the credit of that learned body, that no anticipation
of the next feast of St. Andrew ever influenced the taciturnity of their
disposition. [It may be necessary to inform those who are not members
of the Royal Society, that this is the day on which those Fellows who
choose, meet at Somerset House, to register the names of the Council and
Officers the President has been pleased to appoint for the ensuing year;
and who afterwards dine together, for the purpose of praising each other
over wine, which, until within these few years, was PAID for out of
the FUNDS of the Society. This abuse was attacked by an enterprising
reformer, and of course defended by the coterie. It was, however,
given up as too bad. The public may form some idea of the feeling which
prevails in the Council, when they are informed that this practice was
defended by one of the officers of the Society, on the ground that,
if abolished, THE ASSISTANT SECRETARY WOULD LOSE HIS PERCENTAGE ON THE
TAVERN BILLS.]

SECTION 2. OF BIENNIAL PRESIDENTS.

The days in which the Royal Society can have much influence in science
seem long past; nor does it appear a matter of great importance who
conduct its mismanaged affairs. Perpetual Presidents have been tried
until the Society has become disgusted with dictators. If any reform
should be attempted, it might perhaps be deserving consideration whether
the practice of several of the younger institutions might not be worthy
imitation, and the office of President be continued only during two
sessions. There may be some inconveniences attending this arrangement;
but the advantages are conspicuous, both in the Astronomical and
Geological Societies. Each President is ambitious of rendering the
period of his reign remarkable for some improvement in the Society
over which he presides; and the sacrifice of time which is made by the
officers of those Societies, would become impossible if it were required
to be continued for a much longer period. Another circumstance of
considerable importance i