Statement by the ... Council ... in reply to observations and charges made by Colonel Sykes and others.

  • Zoological Society of London
Date:
1835
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Statement by the ... Council ... in reply to observations and charges made by Colonel Sykes and others. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    3/20
    STATEMENT, &c. The lateness of the hour to which the discussion had been protracted at the Anniversary Meeting—the large number of Members who had already left the room, and the disin¬ clination manifested by the remainder to allow a hearing to the only gentleman who attempted to commence a reply to Colonel Sykes, were the principal motives which in¬ duced the President and the undersigned Members of Council to offer no further opposition to the adjournment of the Election; but it is equally due to the Society, and to themselves, that they should with the least possible delay state distinctly and fully to those who have confided the interests of the Institution to their care, what they consider to be the exact points in disjuite between them, and those of their Colleagues who on two late occasions have thought proper to declare publicly their disapproba¬ tion of the proceedings of the majority of the Council— to impute to them unworthy and discreditable motives, and to claim for themselves not only the whole merit of every thing which has been done right, but also the addi¬ tional credit of having by their salutary interference and exertions prevented all the mischief which might have other¬ wise resulted from the mal-administration of their Colleagues. These are serious charges, which the honour of those against whom they are directed renders it necessary to meet with a distinct and positive contradiction; and although we enter reluctantly into a discussion so painful and per¬ sonal in its nature, which we think has been provoked rather by the eagerness and warmth of temper of some in¬ dividuals and their extreme impatience of all opposition, B