By the mid-nineteenth century, getting a paper published in the "Transactions" still relied on the paper first being read by a Fellow. Many papers were sent immediately for printing in abstract form in "Proceedings of the Royal Society". But those which were being considered for printing in full in "Transactions" were usually sent to two referees for comment before the final decision was made by the Committee of Papers. During Stokes' time, authors were given the opportunity to discuss their paper at length with him before, during and after its official submission to the Committee of Papers.