Page:Proceedings of the Royal Society of London Vol 4.djvu/50

Rh dom, that of Liverpool perhaps excepted, were confined to the expe- rience and tact of those who were accustomed to use them; but how different is the case at present! The rules for the construction of tide tables are not only public property, but are based upon the most ex- tensive observations: laws, whose existence was hardly suspected, are now distinctly laid down: the progress of the waves in the most frequented parts of the ocean is beginning to be accurately deve- loped: theory, which was formerly in advance of observation, though greatly improved in those parts of it which do not involve the hydrodynamical laws of the ocean, is now greatly behind it; and such a basis of facts has been laid down as may enable the mathematician to commence such a series of investigations, as may terminate in enabling another Laplace to give to the theory of the tides a form which may rival, in the certainty of its predictions, the almost perfect theories of physical astronomy.

On the motion of Mr. Davies Gilbert, the thanks of the Society were voted to His Royal Highness the President for his excellent Address, accompanied with a request that His Royal Highness would allow it to be printed.

The Statutes relating to the election of Council and Officers were then read by the Secretary; and Joseph Smith and Richard Horsman Solly, Esqrs., being nominated by the Chairman, with the approbation of the Meeting, Scrutators to assist the Secretaries in examining the balloting lists, the votes of the Fellows present were collected.

The ballot being taken, the Scrutators reported the following as the result:

President His Royal Highness the Duke of Sussex, K.G. Treasurer.-Francis Baily, Esq

Secretaries.Peter Mark Roget, M.D.; Samuel Hunter Christie, Esq, MA

Foreign Secretary-William Henry Smyth, Capt. R.N. Other Members of the Council.John Bostock, M.D.; The Earl of Burlington; John George Children, Esq.; John Frederick Daniell, Esq.; Sir Philip Grey Egerton, Bart.; Daries Gilbert, Esq D.C.L.; Charles Konig, Esq.; The Marquis of Northampton; Rev. George Peacock, M.A.; William Hasledine Pepys, Esq.; Stephen Peter Rigaud, Esq, M.A; John Forbes Royle, M.D.; Benjamin Travers, Esq.; James Walker, Esq; Charles Wheat- stone, Esq.; Rev. William Whewell, M.A.

The thanks of the Society were then voted to the Scrutators, for their trouble in assisting at the Election