Notes

Abstract

AT a special general meeting of the Royal Society of Edinburgh, held on December 21, the council presented a report on the new accommodation to be provided for the society in consequence of its proposed removal from the Royal Institution, under the provisions of the National Galleries (Scotland) Bill. We learn from this report that in March last a memorial was presented to the Secretary for Scotland directing attention to the needs of the society, and asking for a free grant of 600l. a year. In a semiofficial reply to this memorial the general secretary of the society was informed that a proposal was being entertained by the Government to devote the whole of the Royal Institution to the purposes of art, and that the Royal Society must contemplate the necessity for finding accommodation elsewhere. As it appeared from correspondence and an interview with the Secretary for Scotland that the Government had definitely decided to allot the whole of the Royal Institution for the purposes of art, the council resolved, with great reluctance, to accept the necessity for removal, and to do its best to secure adequate reinstatement. An accommodation committee was therefore appointed by the society to advise the Secretary for Scotland regarding sites and buildings suittble for new premises for the society, with the result that the committee unanimously recommended the building at present occupied by the Edinburgh Life Insurance Office, Nos. 22 and 24 George Street. At an interview on November 22 Mr. Sinclair offered, subject to the consent of Parliament, to purchase and adapt the George Street building on certain conditions, and in addition to give a free grant for the scientific purposes of the society. The conditions proposed were approved by the representatives of the society present as being, in the circumstances, an equitable settlement of the claims of the society. In a letter received by the general secretary, indicating the nature of the proposals which Mr. Sinclair intended to make in committee on the Bill in question, it was made clear that the society was to occupy the building on identical terms with those of the occupancy of the Royal Society at Burlington House. In the speech of the Secretary for Scotland on December 13, during the debate in Committee of the House of Commons on the Galleries Bill, the final proposals regarding the accommodation and grant to the society, recorded in last week's NATURE (p. 179) were described. Briefly, the arrangements are that a sum of 25,000l. will be used for the purchase of a building, and 3000l. to cover the expenses of fitting up, redecorating the new premises, and transferring the library and other effects of the society from the Royal Institution. The Treasury will also give the society a grant of not more than 600l. a year. The council expresses the opinion that these proposals meet the claims of the Royal Society both in respect of an additional grant and of reinstatement in suitable new premises. In conclusion, the council remarks in the report that the society owes a debt of gratitude to the Scottish Members of Parliament, to various members of the Royal Society of London, and to the British Science Guild for their loyal support in a time of difficu1ty The report of the council was, on the motion of Sir William Turner, seconded by Prof. Bower, received and unanimously approved by the society at the special meeting on December 21.