Page:History of the Royal Astronomical Society (1923).djvu/277

 1880-1920] ROYAL ASTRONOMICAL SOCIETY 245 versant with gravitational Astronomy, the other with observational Astronomy or astrophysics. The continuity of the Council has been kept up by always retaining some of the more prominent members for a number of years. We shall only mention a few examples of continuous service of Fellows not now living : Baily. . -25 years 1820-44 E. Riddle. * 27 1825-52 Lee ... 38 Airy. . . 56 Cayley. . 35 Adams. . -32 Huggins. . . 46 Dunkin. . 23 1829-67 1830-86 1858-93 1860-92 1864-1910 1868-91 In addition to these there were several others who served many years on the Council, such as De Morgan, 1830-62, except the year 1845 (and he was Secretary 1831-39 and 1847-55), and Christie, 1872-1913, except 1879-80. The case of Huggins is altogether unique, because he held office for so many years. He was Secretary 1867-72, Foreign Secretary 1873-76, President 1876-78, and again Foreign Secretary 1883-1910, till the day of his death. While care is thus taken that experience and knowledge of the Society's affairs are not lost, stagnation is prevented by two important provisions in the Bye-Laws. First, that no Fellow who has been President or Vice-President for two successive years shall again be eligible to the same situation till the expiration of one year from the termination of his office. And secondly, that eight only of the twelve members of the Council holding no office, who have served during any year, shall be eligible in the same capacity for the ensuing year. The gradual increase in the number of Fellows may be seen from the following table : Fellows. Associates. 1830 243 34 1840 307 38 1850 349 57 1860 380 51 1870 509 45 1880 591 43 1890 595 48 1900 635 48 1910 682 47 1920 715 50 There is therefore every reason to hope that the number of