The Aëronautical Society

Abstract

IN reference to Prof. Bryan's remarks on the aims and objects of the Aëronautical Society of Great Britain in NATURE of May 27, I would point out that the general scientific character of the proceedings of a society is not annulled because one or more writers have fallen into error, any more than it would be reasonable to say that Prof. Bryan is not a profound mathematician because, in a Friday evening discourse at the Royal Institution, he fell into inaccuracy in scientific history, and said that the Aëronautical Society of Great Britain was at one time called the Balloon Society, and changed its name to its present title, the fact being that the Balloon Society was quite a separate affair, which had its meetings at the Westminster Aquarium and discussed every subject under the sun. In that remark Prof. Bryan showed he had not closely followed the work and career of the Aëronautical Society of Great Britain.