The Express.
London, England, 1855-03-01 00:00:00

ROYAL INSTITUTION.

The seventh lecture of Dr. Tysdall's course on
magnetism and electricity was delivered on Tuesday, the
branch of the subject to which he directed attention being
the properties of conduction and induction. In the con-
sideration of the property of induction he d to sone
of the early experiments which exhibited the attractive
and repulsive powers of electricity, and the effects of attract
lion and repubion were explained to be owing to the pecu-
liar power which excited electric. possess of inducing in all
surrounding bodies a condition of electricity of the opposite
kind. Thus an excited glass rod, which is positive, induces
negative electricity on all bodies within its influence, and
as the opposite kinds of electricity attract each other, light
substances that are capable of motion are drawn towards
the glass; they there become charged, by conduction, with
the same kind of electricity as the glass, and are
then repelled. The effects of attraction and repulsion were
illustrated in a remarkable manner, by tracing invisible
figures with the knob of a positively excited jar on a slab of
excited wax, and then dusting over it some powdered sul-
phur and red lead through • muslin sieve. The sulphur and
the lead being in opposite states of electricity, they sepa-
rated oa the wax slab, one being attracted to the tracings
made by the Leyden jar, and the other to the wax, showing
distinctly by their different colours the figures that had
been drawn. Dr. Tyndall pointed out the distinction be-
tween induced magnetism in soft iron and the induction of
electricity; which exhibits an apparently strong contrast in
those associated phenomena. In the induction of magnet-
ism there is always polarity, and when a magnet is broken
in the middle the two puts instantly become two magnets,
each having a north and a south pole ; but when
electricity is induced, and the body under its influence
is separated, one part remains electrified negatively and the
other positively. This was shown by Inducing electricity
in two insulated metallic hemispheres, which were first
placed together to form a sphere and afterwards separated,
when the .two bodies exhibited opposite electrical states.
The peculiar influence of points in conducting electricity
was next szplained and illustrated. Ihe concentration of
the electric field on the surfaces of bodies increases as their
extent diminishes; and at points it becomes so highly con-
centrated that it flies off readily to all surrounding bodies.
This was shown by fixing a point to an electrometer, which
had the effect of giving a charge to the gold leaves frees a
glass rod held at a considerable distance, the difference when
the point was attached being that the leaves remained dis-
tended after the glue rod was removed. The effect is
increased when bodies are heated, as was exhibited by
placing a lighted pantile on the electrometer, which atted
more sensitively than the cold metal point. The current of
air that is felt issuing from a point, when fixed to an elec-
trical machine, was explained to be owing to the rapid com-
municiation of positive electricity to the air immediately
round the point, and the consequent repulsion of it from the
positively electrified point.

AIITOCRAPHB.—In the sale of autograph letters
and other curiosities, by Messrs. Sotheby and Wilkinson, the
well-known literary auctioneers, oa Monday and Tuesday
last, there were spetdmens of the handwritinc ammo of our
distinguished poets, including Gray, Akensids, Csubbe,
plumb, Moore, Campbell, Byron, Soutla Hunt, Barns,
Falconer, Scott, Ac., which uniformly soldy, for high prices.
As instances oldie =snit for possessing inch religues, we
must confine our quotations to the following: Lot 62,
Moore's "Lest Boas of Summer," 21. 20.; 82, Southey's
letter to Lamb respecting Hone, 21. 12e. 6d. ; 146, Bonne
bitter to Dr. Moore, containing his own life, NM ; 146,
Burns' " Cotter's Saturday Night," 201. 10a. ; 148, Field-
ing's assignment of " Tom Jones," 81. ; 161, Scott's letter
prodromßrolia.noTuerenj's ,ina,wirlseu..wasPeithgrakilswtsrtedisiAmediht,thl:4sirrisesulsainr:32itiroinsilt :rawrwardie autographn::s.tw.a tag us
Mars'si a •
161 I
us; re:a
nUouo:
0 Robert Buss, poet," placed on the title.page of " amen
thine beans bell which formerly Ivelsoned to the Abbe, 0(
of a essmerp I mei tbeee.es well es One .ems
eale el *else* Mr. Bend's beaks eul mieselmes, 10111 de
sere to amylase the weld of our puseenet assisa
ah " a than
vo i the
gw geost■ alweldadr
milicidßemel7l"ll2:oltl3l.l6i.sti 11aink.hAalVOs711"111.'e".tics,
sold Gr l
day5'.411661'..;
produced seerly 7,0001.

_ .

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MEDICAL BENEVOLENT COLLEGE.
Lot night the third anniversary festival of the
Me eel destoolest College was celebrated at the Leaden
Tay es. the Right it... the Bawl of CARLISLI in the chair,
when a isegeoewspany, Coes:Ades of nearly 200 perms, sat
daand W a Maser provided in the usual excellent style of
ads volidarrem meallithinest. Amongst the ecaspany were
Visestant Sheleclea, 111. P , Mr. Lloyd Davies, M.P. Mr.
Oregsee, M.P., Bee. Dr. Croy, Rev. Sir J. Hayes, Bart.,
Meijer Palmer, Sir 0 Staunt'n,
But, Sir Thee. Phillips,
Dr. Wilson, Dr. Babette's, Dr. Cosolly, Dr. Flower, Mr.
Brodie, Mr. Stilwell, Dr. Proper', its.
The ClSAllnitts, in proposing the tout of " Her Majesty
the Clasen," ancithased that her Majesty bad been pleased
to become the patron of the institution, end consisted to
have it hereafter designated by the name of the "Royal
Medical College." (Cheers.)
The toot wee drunk with the greatest enthusiasm, as
were the ether loyal toasts.
ev
the toast of
The Ciataatax, is propceing the ening,
said that though he felt he mold not refer is the present
lrotates to a venerable antiquity, or appeal to a lea; re-
trospect of yeah dads( which it had dispensed a seines of
benefits arnoapt the sessiaanity—though the precast was
sot a centenary es &jubilee festival. but the third festival
of the iastitutioa dales its foundation—h• was acre
it had
other claims which deserved regard and attention. Setting
aside therefore the alums of antiquity and preseriptieo, is
• :smeary where the population was increasing in as
im-
mime ratio, and where tows' were becoming proportionally
enlarged—where sew wassem, sew arts, and new wants
were springing op around them every day, it was fitting that
fresh expedients shoeld be devised to most fresh szigeneits,
sad that new channels should be opened to satisfy the new
waste that arose in such a state of things. (Hear, hear.)
No one would deny that this was eminently the cam with
regard to the medical profession, which was largely stocked;
which was hardly worked, and wt ich had but few larillisat
prizes. (Hear, hear.) Not that he meant to halinnike
fns
a moment that any person, nut properly qualified, eight
obtain those prises except by his own intrinsic remelt—and
many blanks. An institution, therefore, which hod for its
object to provide foe the disabled members, and the
widows and orphans of the anthem of the medical profee-
sift, was emisently entitled to support. (Hear, hear.) This
society proposed to open an extensive building where de•
awed medical tea would be received, or—if they had sunk ,'
into pressmen graves—where their widows would IM
received; where in some instances pensions would be gives,
sad when ediseatios—grateitoue in some come—worse be
gives to their corphass. (Hear, hear.) Now an tee
asiesties like this had claims—he would not sur the
aattesal attention, bemuse they did not look to male
laterference or help—but it had prominent claims on
nubile sympathy, and he would add. to justice.
For what was the prolusion in MIK dififish he pleaded
Their attention was now and sere apeeielly to their
brave soldiers aid sailors. Wet bat its heroes, and though
be should be the last to Mita MO led of laurel from the
ekaplet that encircled their dtather i there was a national
provision made for thew awl bulbs the permanent estab-
lishments of Oreeawieh aid Ofillselk there was the Patriotic
Fend, the Sick will lionial Find, the Crimea Food,
and the Welliacies 041ege, to t
ae et whim I be
was sure they wished WNW and esawielo delleilda
But there were haunt he giber prey mine bidden
that of war, sad the teed predawits /reel
many iwriesawat ewe herds Ilse shim of the mil
eel was wee set to destroy, hot to heal; met to &Irma We,
bat to prebeei it ; not to be the executioners, bet the
seesiewssof their race. (Hear, hear.) And what, in away
loloase. was their reward ? He had been told that the
aramber of medical men employed under the Poor Law
awl was 3,000, and he knew instances is whale they hod
Sealed ea average of 600 persona, at • sammalWarnMM
b. leak ease. (lieu.) These gentlest* bad le teems
k dll Iski et weather, awl la all seasons,l at all
eel le WM goads which were almost in the condidirm,
Owe of Belaklava. (Hear, hear.) To such sea,
whe ministered to them is their days of viper
and of kthWit was set woo decent provision due is
alwlr days at Mom mod dee,y—when the searching eve
beams sod the skiltel Mod paralysed ? (Cheers.) He
affillemsellithisard to their individual feelings of sym-
pathy sewer& i pre
cal fessi, Mat the appeal was of
Mill Meager Verse medwhen made to thej members of that
=itself. He felt certain that men who were
aged in the duty of ministering to suffering
besseity could not, and would not, be wanting to
the necessities of their own poorer brethren. (Cheers.) He
blared it would not be deemed impertinent ia hint to re-
mark that ia these stirring and observant times, the medical
department itself. so far ea it was connected with the military
service, had not been wholly free from some of the charges
of neglect and shortcoming to which so many other depart-
ments bad been unfortunately subjected. (Hey, hear.)
Them, he trusted, were bat temporary evils, which would
vanish under the application of strict and impartial inquiry,
sad patient and persevering reform. (Cheers.) But if the
seed now awn was properly supported and encouraged by the
gentlemen of the profession themselves and by the public, it
would strike its roots far downwards and stretch its goodly
boughs for upwards, and in time bear the rich promise of
fruit through a lose sucessaion of generation,. (Cheers.)
He would conclude by calling:on them to drink "Prosperity
and success to the Royal Medical College." (Chests.)
The toast was drunk with all the honours.
Mr. Powsnxt proposed " The Health ,of the Clergy,"
which was responded to by Dr. CSOLT.
The Cisallttale next proposed " The Health of Dr. Pro-
pert, the treasurer and Mender of theisatitation."
Dr. Poorest' acknowledged the MO, which was drunk
with great enthusiasm, by saying that be was deeply grate-
ful for the mariner in which his aim hod bees received.
He stood before them is the pseitho el a sessetsfal Chan-
cellor of the Exchequer who szsga serit=s Is lay be-
fore them. (Cheers.) He these who
came forward on the present esselea to sympathy for their
poorer brethren of the profiled's, for it should not be for-
gotten that it was to relieve them and their families that
they congregated in each modem en the present occasion.
(Cheers.) It had been said that the Mediation was his,
but it was nsueh more theirs who supported it, sad still
more theirs for whose benefit it was intended. (Cheers.)
Viethent EIZINOTON proposed "The health of the Chair-
man, the new Lord-Lieutenant of Indeed." (Cheers.)
Mr. Hama, who acted as toastmaster, having put the
tout in the words in which it was given by the noble pro-
poser, it was received with great applause.
The C11•1111AN, in returning thanks, said, though be
did not wish to dissemble the high distinction and honour
which had been conferred upon him by his noble friend:mad
the excellent official behind him—(laughter)—yet he weld
more them he should evilr look back with pleasure to the
time in which he was associated with to many members of
the medical profession in promoting measures for the oda
tary improvement of the country. (Cheers.)
Several other toilets followed in the course of the ormilas.
Dr. PHOPIRT read a long list of subscriptions mad dm.
tithe, the total amount of which was 2,156/. The estaimew
meet of the receipts was received with loud cheers.
It may be desirable to mention that the building at Sp.
sera is expected to be open for the reception of scholars la
October sort. The building will accommodate 200=
whom 26 will be cm the foundation, 75 received at a
rate, and the other 100, who may be the sons of thsSMl
soya a say other, will be received at the full rate,

CON DUCT OF THE WAR.—A public meeting of the
working classes of Nottingham was held on Tuesday even-
ing, the 27th ult., in the Assembly Rooms, Nottingham.
Resolutions urging the government to pursue an inquiry
into the cause of the disaatroas state of the army, die., were
adopted —A crowded meeting was held at Preston, as
Tuesday evening, for the purpose of " denouncing the
gross mismanagement which has been displayed in con-
nexion with the war, and demanding a searching revision
of our military system, and an inquiry into the causes of
the decimation of one of the finest armies that ever left
England." The chair was taken by Mr. W. Livesey. The
speeches and resolution, were of a vigorous character, and
a petition to parliament was adopted praying for an effective
prosecution of the war, and a complete reform in our
military system.
Tan INLAND BOOK POST.—II was stated some time
sloes in the Emma that the privileges of the Inland
book post were to le statinded to the foreign book prat.
The arrangenteste ono tale eipmetion yesterday. E'abo-
rata notifies have bees Maid from the Cienstal Poet-office,
but the following are the prised's& ride of them that con-
cern the public, via.:—The pesearien books to the British
West ladies, Bermuda, Canada, Nana Scotia, New Bruns-
wick, Prince Edward's Island, Newfoundland, Malta,
Gibraltar, lonian Islands, St. Helena, Gold Coast, Cape
Town, New South Wales, South Australia, and New
Zealand, is at the rate of 6d. for every eight ounces, and on
books to the East Indies, Ceylon, Mauritius, sad Hear
Hoag, et the rate of 84. for every eight ounces. One beat
package may contain separate boats, publication's aiIIIARMIS.
and maps, and paper, parchment, or vellans_; *slater three
materials may be written or rioted on. Timm= may
sustain the name and address of the sender.
accompany prints and maps, and marten Mg be NM :2
books. No letter mast be sent with or witted ea a leek
, and no such package mast excised two bet is
package
and no such package mast ezassd two bi
legth, wUth, or depth.
LETTERS POE THE STATES OP PARKA AND MODEM&
—Genital Post.ofilce, February., 1866.—0 n and from the
Ist March neat, letters may be forwarded tram the Ballad
Kingdom addressed to the States of Parma and Meilen',
via France and Sardinia, either unpaid or psid to their de-
stination at the option of the sender. The Inniksge spin
letters for the States of Firma and Maims ems Imme-
spitted, will be as follows, viz. :—Not inteseibg I snide is
weight—British, 2d. ; foreign, lid.: to is U. U. Zs.
ending I oases and not exceeding i 44.1
foreign, is. 10d.: total, 2s. 2d. Immeding g OMB all all
exceeding 1 ounce—British, 6d.; tissige, Wei.
31. 3d. Szceeding ounce and not ex 1 seats--
British, &LI foreign, 3.. U.: total, 4• 4d. 1
owes sad sot exceeding If ousee—British, MIL;
le. TO.: total, 6s 6cl.—Rowaalo Bus. liedishisz._
NAVAL 0/FICEIS' WIDOWS' PiIIEIONSIE '
lowing rations en pasted to widows of naval easels :
Mrs. Fes e, the widow et Captain Foote, who wee drowsed
while teeemommil ends Oewdiet, is the Balthi lest wormer,
dos bow pastel a voodoo id M. a year .• wilds dm widow
▪ Osolola Odiod, calls died don womb IN Tossiood wink
be loot ido Tlipoo,Aos had a id 110 W. • year we-
iwood ups. bra. Km maim sir duo late Lieut.
• M. C. Chosiestea, who was to semmead of the
beets of the Oily et Goals Caddy; the widow of Mr.
Peddle, late elopes of the Tam; the widow of Mr.
Stanley, nogoos die Bobo; awl ef Mr. Omer, Pay-
master ea that =base Wow ipmated swims et 601. per
wasp The of the lie Maim, Mims. Monkey
sod Ha, 001. spar.