Page:History of the Royal Astronomical Society (1923).djvu/205

 1870-80] ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY 177 the result of any mutual understanding, but were " due to dissatis- faction with the present composition of the Council." He said that its members should be " competent for the work in hand, and desirous of advancing it with single-minded earnestness." He mentioned no names, but thought there would be little difficulty in finding out to whom he alluded, and gave a long list of names, from which a good choice of possible new members might be made. A few days later (February 10), Colonel Strange issued a balloting list in opposition to that of the Council, while the President (Cayley) and the Secretaries (Dunkin and Proctor), apparently without knowing of this rival list, sent out a reply to Colonel Strange's circular. In this they merely pointed out that his list of recommendations included some who had already served on the Council or who did not wish to serve, while business con- siderations forbade extensive changes at a time when the Council had recently lost the services of two chief officers. The proceedings at the Annual General Meeting on 1873 February 14, consequent on the issue of these circulars, are thus reported in the Astronomical Register (p. 66) : A desultory conversation then ensued (after the appointment of the Scrutineers of the ballot), in which Professor Pritchard, Sir G. B. Airy, and Mr. Bidder were prominent, arising from the fact that Col. Strange had issued a circular to the Fellows expressing dissatisfaction with the list of Officers proposed by the Council, and afterwards had circulated an opposition list. ... A long and stormy discussion ensued in a most crowded meeting, the principal speakers being Mr. E. B. Denison, Q.C., Mr. Chambers, Mr. Ranyard, Mr. Proctor, Col. Strange, Sir G. B. Airy, Dr. De la Rue, the Rev. T. Wiltshire, Mr. Balfour Stewart, and Mr. Bidder. Col. Strange was repeatedly challenged to substantiate his statements of the incompetence of the persons objected to, and their combination for party purposes, but contented himself by stating that it was merely his own personal opinion, and that he had every respect for the individuals in question. A resolution expressing regret for Col. Strange's action having been carried, the ballot took place and occupied nearly two hours before the result was ascertained. The Officers and Council elected were those of the Council list with one exception. The Report ends : "In consequence of the anticipated length of meeting, the usual dinner did not take place." The above is a brief account of the proceedings at an Annual General Meeting of a somewhat unusual character. That they were wanting in dignity may be judged from a sentence in the Astronomical Register for 1873 March. " The conduct of the meeting was hardly creditable to the oldest scientific Society. 12