e the history of those circumstances which led to the institution
of the offices of Scientific Advisers, from the time of the existence of
the late Board of Longitude.

That body consisted, according to the act of parliament which
established it, of certain official members, who usually possessed no
knowledge of the subjects it was the duty of the Board to discuss--of
certain professors of the two universities, and the Astronomer Royal,
who had some knowledge, and who were paid 100L. a year for their
attendance;--of three honorary members of the Royal Society, who
combined the qualifications of the two preceding classes; and, lastly,
of "three other persons," named Resident Commissioners, who were
supposed to be "WELL VERSED IN THE SCIENCES OF MATHEMATICS, ASTRONOMY,
OR NAVIGATION," and who were paid a hundred a year to do the work of the
Board.

The first three classes were permanent members, but the "three other
persons" only held the appointment for ONE YEAR, and were renewable at
the pleasure of the Admiralty. This Board was abolished by another act
of parliament, on the ground that it was useless. Shortly after, the
Secretary of the Admiralty communicated to the Council of the Royal
Society, the copy of an Order in Council:

ADMIRALTY OFFICE,

November 1, 1828.

SIR, I am commanded by my Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, to send
herewith, for the information of the President and Council of the Royal
Society, a copy of His Majesty's Order in Council of the 27th of last
month; explaining that the salaries heretofore allowed to the Resident
Commissioners of the Board of Longitude, and to the Superintendents of
the Nautical Almanac, and of Chronometers, shall be continued to them,
notwithstanding the abolition of the Board of Longitude. And I am to
acquaint you, that the necessary orders have been given to the Navy
Board for the payment of the said salaries.

I am, Sir,

Your most obedient humble servant,

JOHN BARROW.

AT THE COURT AT WINDSOR,

27th October, 1828.

PRESENT,

The King's most Excellent Majesty in Council,

Whereas, there was this day read at the Board a Memorial from the Right
Honourable the Lords Commissioners of the Admiralty, dated 4th of this
instant, in the words following, viz.--

Whereas, by an Act of the 58th of his late Majesty's reign, cap. 20,
instituted "An Act for the more effectually discovering the Longitude
at sea, and encouraging attempts to find a Northern pas