Page:History of the Royal Astronomical Society (1923).djvu/60

 44 HISTORY OF THE [1820-30 THE SECRETARIES If the Council worked hard at the outset the Secretaries must have been taxed severely, and generally found their labours too serious after a few years. Even the energetic F. Baily, who (with Babbage) initiated the office, only held out a couple of years. He usually signed the Minutes as Secretary (in addition to the signa- ture of the Chairman) ; but there are several omissions, and the Minutes of 1820 December 8 were signed on 1821 January 12 by C. Babbage as Secretary (though Baily was present on both occa- sions). He gave notice in 1822 March of his desire to resign at the end of the session (June), and at a special meeting held on November i, Millington was elected Secretary, and Baily invited to continue attending the meetings of Council " that they may avail themselves of the benefit of his advice " : he accordingly did attend, the fact being specially mentioned on each occasion. The handwriting (uniform up to that point) then changes, and the minutes are not afterwards signed by either Secretary. Babbage also wished to resign in 1822 February, but agreed under pressure to accept office with Millington. The early holders of the office were : F. Baily, 1820-23. O. Gregory, 1824-28. Babbage, 1820-24. Stratford, 1826-31. Millington, 1823-25. Sheepshanks, 1828-31. In 1824 March (at one of the resumed Council meetings after the evening meeting) it was resolved " that in consequence of the increased business of the Society in correcting press and various other ways, it has become necessary that an Assistant Secretary or clerk should be employed, and Mr. W. S. Stratford, R.N., being recommended by Mr. Gompertz and Mr. Frend as a person highly qualified to fill this office, was appointed Assistant Secretary to the Society from this day until the commencement of the vacation in June next, and that he be remunerated for his services in such manner as the Council shall determine." Knowing the present importance of the office thus initiated, we learn with surprise that the start was in this instance not followed up. In 1825 May, Millington resigned one of the Secre- taryships and Stratford (who was paid in all 40 for his services) offered to fill the gap in an honorary capacity. The offer was accepted, but Stratford's name does not appear in the lists of those present at the meetings until 1826 March, when he had been regularly elected Secretary. In 1825 November, however, he was elected a Fellow of the Society, and in consideration of the " close and unremitting attention which he had constantly paid to the