1780 — 85 .]
THE ROYAL SOCIETY.
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to be entered in a book as per 3rd article of agreement.Hence then it appears, there can no answer appear asentered in a book, since the only (twin) one I was pre-vented from answering, and my answer never laid beforethe Council. I am therefore clearly not culpable byany breach of duty. But if even something of this kindhad been the case ; if I had been dilatory in some part;or if I had delayed or neglected some answers to letters,&c., might I not have expected to have been remindedof it by the President, or by some person for him, tohave quickened my application, or to have given meoccasion to clear up the matter, that there might be nomisunderstanding, before a vote of censure should bepassed on me, amounting to a disgrace from my office,unheard, and without the knowledge of any suspicion, ofany neglect, or offence given ? And for this purpose thePresident had opportunities enow given him to speakto me about that or any other business, as I purposelyhave constantly attended at least every other publicMeeting of the Society, and very often every Meeting,to the great neglect of my many other important con-cerns. And these frequent attendances in town, whereI have commonly remained for three days each time Icame, have obliged me to keep apartments in town, theexpenses of which have always cost me more thandouble the salary I received for the discharge of myoffice. But notwithstanding all these opportunities, sincethe last agreement in February 1782, the President hasnever since opened his mouth to me on the subject ofmy office, nor ever sent me any message concerningit 8 .”