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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:—

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:—

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.