The Express.
London, England, 1855-02-14 00:00:00

ROYAL INSTITUTION.

Yesterday Dr. Tyndall entered into the consi.
deration of the phenomena of Electricity, and illustrated,
by a variety of experiments, some of the peculiar actions
of electric force. The attraction of light bodies to an ex-
cited electric was shown to be not limited to the friction
of glass and resinous snbataaces, but that numerous others,
such as calcareous spar, sulphur, and paper, become elee-
trical when rubbed with silk or flannel. The effect of
'Ample attraction was first shown, and then the phenomena
of repulsion between bodies that had been excited with the
same kind of electricity. This repulsion of bodies in the
same electrical state was exhibited in a remarkable manner
in excited paper. A sheet of foolscap placed on 'dry board
was rubbed over with Indiarubber, which caused the paper
to adhere closely to the wood, and stripe of the paper being
then cut off with a knife they atrongly repelled each other
Dr. Tyndall said the hypothesis assumed for the purpose of
conveying an idea of the excitement of electricity is, that the
friction of en Electric machine produces, in some unknown
manner, a thin stratum of electric fluid to diffuse itself over
the surface, and that electricity of the same kind exerts a
repulsive force against its own particles, whilst it attracts
other bodies not in the same condition. He then allowed
by several experiments that there are two kinds of elec-
tricity, commonly called vitreous and resinous, or positive
and negative, and that they mutually attract each other.
The excitement of negative electricity by the friction of
sealing wax, shell-lac, and other substances, and its attrac-
tive action on bodies to which electricity from an escited
glass tube had been communicated, occupied a considerable
portion of the lecture, the indicators employed being in
most instances glass rods balanced upon points. To exhibit
how readily electricity is excited during ordinary ope.
rations, Dr.Tyndallcaused the gold leaves of the electroscope
to diverge by striking on the b.:ck of his assistant, when
standing on a glass stool, with a prepared cat'e skin. It is
frequently of great importance in electrical investigations
to determine whether the electricity developed is positive or
negative, for which purpose an instrument, called the else-
tric syringe, has been contrived, the action of which was
explained ; but the somewhat complicated apparatus does
not answer the purpose more effectively than a stick of
common sealing-wax. Dr. Tyndall showed also by several

experiments fiat the rubber with which an electric is
excited becomes at the same time electrical, so that it is
difficult to distinguish the rubber from the electric, as the
action seems to be mutual. He had some difficulty in en•
hibiting the electricity of the silk rubber, though it wss
distinctly manifest in flannel, the amalgam in the former
having, no doubt, d to conduct the electricity to the
hand.

LORD rUNDONALD.—On the nomination of his
Hopi Highneu Prince Albert, Lord Dundoned was re-
cently elected an Honorary Eau Brother of the Corpora-
tion of the Trinity Houle.

OFFICIAL CHANGEB.—We (Times) believe that
Lord Goderich will succeed Mr. Lowe as Secretary to the
Board of Control. Mr. Lowe resigned office upon the ao.
cession of the present Ministry. No appointment has, we
believe, been yet made in the room of Mr. Peel as Under
Secretary for the Colonies.
THE WAR ADMINISTRATION.—Tbe Morning Ciro.
nick intimates that " an agent of the promptest application
and most trenchant power" is to be sent immediately to the
seat of war. " Some stern measure of reform, by which to
simplify and regulate the various services that have to be
performed between the harbour and the camp, it is incisi
vely to adopt without delay, and in the most vigorous,
though avowedly temporary and exceptional, mode that can
be devised. The outline of such a scheme, so far as it may
be immediately prudent to reveal it, will probably be laid
before Parliament upon the earliest opportunity that offers
after its re-assembling on Friday next."

Ma. ROEBUCK'S MoTION.—The Herald says that
the Cabinet means to burls Mr. Roebuck's motion; is
already taking active step to do so; and "we are much
mistaken if they do not succeed. If a rumour which has
just reached us be well•founded, the honourable and learned
member for Bath has been, and is at this moment, subject
to a pressure on which he had not calculated ; and if this be
so, if he give way, the country will with one voice say that
it is trifled with and foully betrayed." The Herald calls
upon some independent member, if no one on the opposi-
tion benches do so, to rise on Friday evening and bring the
matter to an issue, by asking Mr. Roebuck the question,
whether he be prepared to redeem his pledge and name his
committee.

M. BouLE.—The late American minister at the
Spanish court is now in London, on his way to the United
States.

DEATH OF LORD O'NElL.—This event took place
on Monday at Shines Castle, County Antrim. The deceased,
who was in the 73th year of his age, had seen much active
military service, and attained the rank of general in the
brevet of last year. Dying without Issue, the ancient title
of O'Neil is extinct.

THE FRENCH COURT IN MOURNlNG.—Yeaterday's
Moniteur announce. that on account of the death of the
Doke of Genoa, the French Court will go in mourning for
four days, commencing on the 24th. The ball which was to
have taken place at the Tuileries to-morrow, will not, for
the same reason, be given.
THE FRENCH EXHIBITION.—The works of French
and foreign artists residing in the departments will be re•
relived up to and including the 15th of next month. The
Moniteur states that the French Colonies are taking active
measures to be well represented at the Exhibition.
LETTER FROM THE FRENCH CANIP.—A letter
from before Sebastopol, dated the 29th ult., and published
in the Monifeur de to Rota, gives a flattering account of
the French army—the weather, provisions, and reinforce-
ments putting every one in good spirits. On the other
hand, the condition of the Russians, especially those en-
camped near Belbee, is described on the authority of
prisoners as being most miserable. Bread is such a rarity
that the soldiers gladly exchange the rations of brandy for
a morsel. Desertions are frequent. The horses are still
worn off. The letter adds that the arrival of General Niel
at the French camp, on a mission from the Emperor, has
produced an excellent effect.
ALLEGED CAPTURE OF A FRENCH TRANSPORT.-.
The Journal de Saint reterskuro states that on the 22nd a
French war transport, the Ajax, grounded on a shoal near
Eupatoria, and that, in spite of a steamer which came to its
assistance, the captain and six seamen were taken pri-
aonen by some Russian lancers, sent to the place with two
pieces of horse artillery. The vessel itself, with its cargo of
hay, was burnt.
THE UNITED STATES MAIL PACKET HERMANN
arrived at Southampton yesterday, with the American
wile. She left New Irak en the 27tit