THE anniversary meeting of the Royal Society for the election of a president, and other officers, was held as usual at Somerset House, on Thursday, the 30th of November, being St. Andrew’s day.
Till within a few days of the election, it was generally understood that the Rt. Hon. Robert Peel was a candidate for the chair; in consequence, however, of that gentleman having declined, Davies Gilbert, Esq., M.P., was put in nomination, and was almost unanimously elected the President of the Royal Society.
The late secretaries, Messrs. Herschel and Children, having resigned their respective offices, Dr. Roget and Captain Sabine were nominated in their places, and were duly elected.
The accession of Mr. Gilbert to the chair having rendered vacant the office of Treasurer, Major Kater was elected in his place.
The following council was elected, to continue in office until St. Andrew’s day, 1828.
- Davies Gilbert, Esq.
- Major Kater.
- Dr. Roget, M.D.
- Captain Sabine, R.A.
- Dr. Wollaston, M.D.
- Dr. Fitton, M.D.
- Dr. Young, M.D.
- Dr. Paris, M.D.
- Dr. Prout, M.D.
- Dr. Goodenough, D.D.
- Dr. Buckland, D.D.
- J. W. Croker, Esq.
- Lord Colchester.
- Sir E. Home, Bart.
- Sir H. Davy, Bart.
- John Pond, Esq.
- Capt. F. Beaufort, R.N.
- Francis Baily, Esq.
- John Guillemard, Esq.
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In consequence of having been elected President pro tempore by the council, (the chair having been vacated some weeks previous to the general election,) the duties of the office were performed by Mr. Gilbert, on occasion of the present anniversary. After having read over the list of members admitted, and of those deceased during the last year, he proceeded to announce the disposal of the Royal and Copley Medals, as awarded by the votes of the council.
Of the Royal Medals, one was awarded to Sir H. Davy, and the other to Professor Struve. Of the Copley Medals, one was given to Dr. Prout, and another to Lieutenant Forster. On this occasion Mr. Gilbert pronounced an eulogium upon the respective receivers of the medals; and, in adverting to the labours of the several individuals, he justified the decision of the council, in bestowing upon them these marks of distinction, in a learned and eloquent discourse.