Notes

Abstract

THE recent fusion of the Ethnological and Anthropological Societies under the designation of “the Anthropological Institute of Great Britain and Ireland,” not only did good service to science but has financially proved thus far so successful that the Report of the Council for 1872, to be presented to the members next Tuesday evening at the annual meeting, announces a handsome surplus income applicable to the reduction of liabilities incurred in former years. In this promising condition of financial prosperity it is all the more to be deplored that a serious dissension has arisen in the Council in reference to the nomination of a successor to Sir John Lubbock, who, to the universal regret of the members, vacates the presidential chair, under the pressure of parliamentary and other engagements. Touching this matter we have received a copy of a printed statement signed by Mr. Harris and seven other members of Council, which alleges that at a Council Meeting, held on the 17th of last month, Dr. Charnock was placed on the House List for 1873, but that at a succeeding Council Meeting of January 7, this nomination was rescinded and the House List recast with the substitution of Professor Busk as President in the place of Dr. Charnock. This recasting of the List is made a matter of protest, and the members of the Institute, with whom the final decision rests, are appealed to. —We need hardly remark that this appeal is wholly ex parte. We understand that the explanation given by the majority of the Council is that the vote of January 7 was a surprise, and as such justified its re-consideration. Now of all our public associations which have for their aim the advancement of scientific truth, the Anthropological can least afford to suffer by internal dissension, and it is earnestly to be hoped that this difference of opinion on the subject of a successor to Sir John Lubbock will be amicably arranged at the forthcoming meeting. The more so as it bears so clearly on the face of it that the interests of science are not in question.