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 above declared objects of the trust, to apply the said dividends to aid or reward any individual or individuals of any country, saving only that no person being a Member of the Council for the time being, shall receive or partake of such reward."

Another improvement which might be suggested, is, that it is generally inexpedient to vote a medal until the paper which contains the discovery is at least read to the Society; perhaps even it might not be quite unreasonable to wish that it should have been printed, and consequently have been perused by some few of those who have to decide on its merits. These trifles have not always been attended to; and even so lately as the last year, they escaped the notice of the President and his Council. The Society was, however, indebted to the good sense of Mr. Faraday, who declined the proffered medal; and thus relieved us from one additional charge of precipitancy.

Perhaps, also, as the Council are on some occasions apt to be oblivious, it might be con-