The Express.
London, England, 1846-09-18 00:00:00

THE EXPRESS, FRIDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 18, 1846.

were answered by the GoXernor in a Marin. r which the ho-
nourable proprietor said was most satisfactory. lie then es-
pressed has opinion that the affairs of the Bauk being in such
prosperous circumstances, that court might with safety agree
to a dividend' of 4 per cent. on the half year. (Heir, hear.)
An hon. proprietor had justly said they were now working
'for the benefit of posterity, but before be proceeded, lie
wished to osk whether the building they were anseinbted
in was included in the amount of rest 2—The Ooveasea:
No.—Mr. Dg WINTER.: Then taking the building,
estimated of the value of 100,0001., the restwould
amount to nearly four milli snit and a half, and which
was going on accumulating without any profit or
advantage to the proprietors. no future prospects of the
Bank ought also to be taken into consideration. They are
different now to what they were before the expiration of
the former charter. At one time their affairs to a cer-
tain extent were under the control of the government of
the day, now they were entirely under the management
of able, upright, and independent men. The large capital
that remained unemployed before the expiration of the
present charter, which ha 4 eight years to run, could not
be attended with profit or salvantige. He could see no
occasion to increase the pre.ent amount of rest; why
should not the present proprietors take the advantage of
their increa.iug profits? It should he remembered that
[Private gentlemen could lay out their money with equal,
if not greater, profit to themselves than could be
done by a corporation. In short, he could not see any
reason to increase the rest beyond three millions. When he
said this he gave every cretin to the Court of Directors for
the zeal and ability they displayed in the discharge of their
important duties, and he was sure they possessed the full
confidence of all the holders of Bank Stock. The hon. pro-
prietor concluded by moving, as an amendment, that a divi-
dend of four per cent. on the hall.year be declared, not de-
ducting the income-tax. If that motion was lost, he should
then move that a bonus of ten percent. he agreed to. (Hear.)
Mr. De Winter concluded his remarks by proposing notices
as already stated.
An HON. Peorairron addressed the Court in support of :
an increase of dividend, aid read the following documents :
1 beg leave to submit to the Governor, Deputy-Governor' and
Directors, the propriety of taking the sum of 1,453,3001. frupn the
Hen, to add to the capital of the proprietors.
The Rest on Starch I, lUD, was £3,573,172
Ditto February 28, 1816

the cure of club-foot and other physical deformities, was held
yesterday at the hospital in Bloomsbury-square.. The busi-
ness transacted was entirely of a routine character. The
number of patients treated during the half-year was 856, all
of whom were out-patients except 42. The majority had
been discharged cured, and all more or less relieved. There
were at present 100 applications for admission as in-patients '
Mold over, the weekly avenge of which was continually
on the increase. It was stated that the funds of the institu-
tion were not in so prosperous a condition as could be wished.
METROPOLITAN SEWAGE MANCRE COMPANY.—
The first meeting of the directors and shareholders of this
company, which has recently been incorporated by act of
trhaet, was held yesterday at the British Coffee-house,
niir-street, for the purpose of receiving the report of
the directors, and transacting other business, J. Blair War-
ren, Elm., in the chair. The report stated that the object of
the company was to supply to the farmed and other occu-
piers of land, within a convenient distance of the metropolis,
a liquid manure from the sewers of London, of a far more
valuable quality, and at about one-fifth of the cost of that
which they at present make use of, to be accomplished by
means of steamengine pumps, service pipes to couvey the
liquid to its destination, and hose to distribute it over the
land, and thus afford the double benefit of cleansing the
metropolitan sewers thoroughly, and saving from waste, for
agricultural purposes, a material that is a: present lost in the
Thames. The first experiment of the company has been
arranged to be made in one section only of the
metropolis to supply Hounslow and the lands in
that district, and already have the occupiers of 40,000
acres of land in that quarter not only given their entire ap-
proval to the scheme, but have solicited to be r..pplied, and
many become shareholders in the company. The only plau-
sible objections to the plan were the alleged engineenng dif-
ficulties, and the dread of an offensive CiitUVillAll from the
manure when laid on the ground, but the former was shown
to be groundless by the fact that the process of supplying the
liquid would be no more difficult than the present operation of
supplying water by pipes to the metropolis, and dispersing it as
is done by fire-engine hose; and as for the second objection, I
the Mar ,uis of Westminster had very kindly allowed the
Secretary of the Company to test that on the lawn in front
of his lordship's house, near Hyde-park, which hail been
thoroughly immured with sewer water, and his lordship
declared that the only perception he had of such a process
having been gone through, was in the greatly increased abun-
dance and luxuriance of the produce of grass and flowers since.
Nearly the whole of the shares of the company hare been
subscribed for; upwards of 1,100 within the lest eight days ;
do that there could be no doubt whatever of the means to
carry out the undertaking. But details upon this part of
the subject, with the pecuniary accounts, payment of offices,
&a., were reserved for an adjourned meeting, to be held in
December next. In reference to the vast superiority, as
well as cheapness, of the liquid manure over any other kind
in use, Mr. Smith, of Deanston, the agricultural engi..eer to
the company, and others, who addressed the meeting, gave
many instances within their own knowledge, in different
parts of the country, of the erraordinary productiveness of
soil on which, as an experiment, this manure was used, as
compared with parts of the same land, and even the same
field, when it had not been laid on ; and there could be but
little doubt that the success of the present company, of
which the must sanguine expectations were entertained,
would, they said, lead to ins introduction to all the large
towns in the empire, with the like advantage to health and
productiveness. The report having been unanimously
adopted, auditors wire dieted, and thanks having been
voted to the board of directors, including the chairman, the
meeting separated.
PROPF.RTT LEFT IN PUBLIC VEIIICLES.—Since the
22nd of May last, up to the Bth inst., 69 umbrellas, 61
parasols, 61 coats, 7 parcels, 3 pocket.books, 11 soaks, 8
opera glasses, a prize oar, and 326 articles of different
descriptions, have been left in cabs and hackney coaches.
ESCAPE or CDs, CHARING-cnoss.—Yesterday, in
con-equence of an escape of gas from one of the main pipes,
a great portion of the roadway immediately in front of the
branch office of the Charing-cross post office, had to be
taken up, causing considerable obatruction to the thorough-
fare. The escape has impregnated the water supplied to
the neighoouring habitations. An ancient well that has
supplied Whitehall has also become tainted.
DELIVERY OF TOBACCO FROM CUSTOMS SALES.—
The Board of Customs having had under their consideration
, a communication from the Commissioners of Excise, suggest-
ing, with a view to the greater security of the revenue, that
in cases where leaf tobacco is purchased at Customs sales, the
goods should be delivered to licensed manufacturers only ;
due notice to this effect being inserted in the conditions con-
tained in the catalogue of sale; orders have been issued to
the principals of the several departments in London, and the
collectors and comptrollers of the Customs at the various out-
ports throughout the United Kingdom, to take care that in
future the suggestion of the Excise Board be duly carried
into effect.

Gale
Beet, August 30,
Ditto, September 5,154 f

114,24!

Gain
Half-pear's Dividend, at 34 per cent

SAStI.B•SS
5,561,479

Will leave the Iteht
From which take tu add 10 per mat. sa sapid

.- 275,391
309,33.;

The Rest then would be let .....

4334,121
1,453,3001

Present capital
10 per cent proposed to

1,899,b14

14,553,000
1,4.15,300

A 7 per cont. dividend en which would amount to.
Dividend at 7 per cent. on pr Bent capital

16,009,100

1,1211,541
1,015,71..

Proposed increase on yearly dividend
Mr. WiLtrAmsox s conded the amendment. He con-
sidered that a dividend of four per cent. would not infringe
on the " rest "in any undue proportion. The profits and
rest had increased so largely, that he cordially supported the
motion for an increase of dividend.

....
Mr. opposed a bonus—Mr. COOKE supported'
the motion for an increase of thz dividend to four per cent.
Mr. CLARK was of opinion that some gentlemen yolk an
erroneous view as to the advantage they should derive from
an increase of dividend. They ought to consider when it
was publicly known that the amount of " rest" was on the
increase, that Bank Stock fetched a much higher price out
of doors than it otherwise would. (Ilear.) Therefore, they
could at the present moment realise the advantages of the
increasing prosperity.
The GOVERNOR bald he could assure the Court of Proprie-
tors that a dividend of 31 per cent. baA nut been recom-
mended
until after the most mature consideration of all the
affairs and future prospects of the Bank. (Cheers.) The
directors were most anxious to do all they possibly could for
the prosperity of the corporation. (Cheers, and cries of
" Yes, yes.") It now became his duty to take the sense of
the Court on the original motion and the amendment that
the dividend be increased to 4 per cent. The Governor then
put the amendment, when only eight hands were held up in
its favour. The original motion, declaring a dividend of 31
per cent., was then put and carried by a vast majority.
Mr. Dc WINTER said, he would now move that a bonus
for th, half-year be declared; but he was reminded by the
governor that the bye-laws prevented any proprietor from
moving two amendments at the same court on the motion for
a dividend ; and therefore the hon. proprietor did tot perse-
vere, but stated that at every future meeting he should move
for an increase in the dividend.
Mr. PiLcuxa inquired if the income tax was paid by the
clerks of the establishment, or whether the Bank paid it i
The Govt it said the clerks paid it themselves.
Mr. Pii.co en .lid not intend to make any motion on the
subject, but he rose to express a hope that with the hien.as-
ing prosperity of the Bank, the corporation would in future
pay the income-tax of the servants.
The GOVERNOR told the hon. proprietor as the sub et was
of a private character it could not be discussed without a
notice of motion. if he called upon him (the governor) in
his room, he would give him every information oa the sub-
ject. The Governor then announced that the dividend
warrants for the half-year ending on the 10th of October
next would be delivered out on that day, and payable on the
12th of October.—A vote of thanks was then unanimously
given to the Governor, Deputy-Governor, and directors,
which was suitably ucknow 'edged by the Governor, and the
meeting adjourned.

A CONVENT, the inn- :tee of which consist of ten or
twelve sisters of charity, has recently been established in
Queen-square, Bloomskury. The dress of the sisters is en-
tirely of black. Besides administering religious consolation,
the, dispense temporal necessities to the sick poor.
INQUEST.—DEATII FROM TIIE BREAKING OF A
BEAM—At the Queen's Head, Poplar, by Mr. W. Baker, on
the body of J. Wood, the labourer killed on board the Maria
Hardy, as mentioned yesterday. It appeared from the evi-
dence that the beam which supported the flooring of the half
deck and cabin was cracked in Jamaica, and was not capable
of bearing the extra weight of the men sent on board the
brig to deliver the cargo. The jury appeared to be of opinion
that sufficient cau•ion had not been used. The Coroner said
the jury could not levy a fine, because dendands had been
recently abolished ; and unlew there was culpable negligence,
the jury were not empowered to return a verdict of man-
slaughter. The law of deodanda he always thought a good
one, and was a check upon people not to trifle with human
life. There was, however, another act recently passed which
would in some measure counterbalance any evils that might

arise from the abolition of deodands. The executors or -ad-
ministrators of deceased persons killed by accident could
maintain an action against the parties guilty of negligence,
and recover damages. The jury then returned a verdict of
" Accidental death."
TIIE BELL AND CROWN AND TITE RAILWAYS.—Sir,
—I observed a paragraph in your paper of the 12th instant,
headed " Effects of Railways," and referring to the Bell and
Crown Hotel in a manner which is calculated to lead to an
erroneous impression. Allow me to state in correction, that,
instead of the coach-yard and stabling being " converted into
dwelling-houses," their sites are now occupied by new rooms
attached to the hotel, which were rendered indispensable for
the proper accommodation of the pubIic.—VALENTINE Btu-
Lea, proprietor of the Bell and Crown Hotel.
INCOME TAx.—A professional man, not wishing the
exact amount of his income to he known in the town in
which he resided, signed the form desiring to be assessed fur
the Income Tax by the special commissioners, who thus pub-
lished to the world the information which was desired to be
kept secret. In the first place they appointed a tradesman
in the town to collect the tax; of course he knew the income
returned. In the second the collector called for the amount,
and not finding the gentleman at home, left the statement of
the amount on a scrap of paper in the hands of a servant,
with a verbal message. In the third, the collector asked the
gentleman's banker for the amount. Thus publishing in
every direction a return which was supposed to be a con-
fidential communication.—Globe.

COURT OF COMMON COUNCIL.—iIt•nT or MR. J.
LAMBERT JUNEB.—At a Court of Common Council, held
yesterday, Mr. D. W. Wire submitted the following motion :
"That permisaica be granted to the Jones Teatirronial Committee,
under the direction of the City lands Committee, to placc a warble
bust of Richard lambert lows, Esq., upon a suitable pedstil, in the
Council Chamber (which bust has been purchased by subscription), to
record and perpetuate the grateful sense- entertained by the pistite and
Ma fellow-camera., of his disinterested and labonoiur devotion in the
discharge of her duties as chairman of the cuniniittee for rebuilding
lAnaombralge and making suitable approaches thereto, for rebuff Wing
the Royal Exchange, and for cdeating public impruscuients *Man
this city."
lie anticipated a unanimous concurrence in his motion, the
object of which was to do honour to the corporation itself as
well as to the able and excellent member of it whose talents
and industry had been so long engaged in the service of his
fellow-citizens and of the community. ( Hear, hear.) Mr.
John Dixon seconded the motion. Mr. Prendergast unwil-
lingly opposed the motion. He was of opinion that the
merit of such a man ought to be noticed, but not exactly in
the manner proposed. (Hear, hear.) It appeared tbat the
bust was to root the corporation nothing. That was one of
the arguments for placing it in the Council Chamber. Now
certainly, if it were not worth the while of the corporation
to purchase a bust, the chamber was not the place in which
to erect it. (Hear, hear.) He would ask the court whether
they seriously thought that the bust of one of their own
body should be pieced in such company as that of the bust of
the hero of Trafalgar and that of the great advocate of the
slave-trade abolition ? (" Hear, hear," and " Oh, oh.")
In • generation or two, people who would know from
history the achievement., by reason of which the warrior.
and philanthropists were allotted their places in that room
would ask with surprise, upon seeing the bust of Mr. Jones, BRITISH ASSOC I ATION.
" Who is that? " e What brings him into such society ? " SOUTHAMPTON, THURSDAY.
The answer would be, "he was a man of high reputation in Last night the concluding general meeting took
the corporation, who greatly improved the City of London,
and preserved' an ur blemished private character all th place at the Victoria Rooms.
while. ' (Cheers.) What had that to do with the history. of All
.. the foreign and English professors and members re •
i in Southampton were present, as were several ladies.
England, in which the names of all the individuals with
whom he was proposed to be associated, would unquestiou- On the platform were beside the President, Sir J. Henschel,
Dr Robinson,Prole .or Oersted, Professor Daubeny, the
ably appear ? Why should the court place amongst such
May. o and several'
other distinguished members.
men, one of whom posterity could never know anything
The r'
PRESIDENT having taken the chair, said, they had
lie proposed as an amendment the previous question. Mr.
Seism seconded the amendment. Mr. Lawrence ridiculed of the Association
now arrived at the time when the business .
the notion of keeping the court as a place of exhibition for fur the present must terminate. The several sections and
the busts of heroes and men of high rank and connexionscommittee' had concluded their proceedings, and he had to
and excluding their own fellow-citizen from an honour to Z.
a before the meeting the results of their labours, in order
which he was most indisputably entitled. If there were "'" the B• ' hc. might be fully aware of the value of
het Association." • . The hest important point was the state of
not the busts, there were the portraits of men around them,
whose great actions were not chronicled. What had Mr. the finances,
t which he would call upon the treasurer to read.
Deputy Pinder done to be remembered by posterity ? Mr. TAYLOR the statement of accounts, and Colonel
(Laughter.) What had the Chamberlain (Mr. Clarke) SAntsz the several grants and recommendations of the com-
mittees adopted by the general meeting, as reported in the
done that he should appear at full length in such con- . ,of e
parry ? (Laughter.) W hat was the case of Mr. Jones ? blr " ye." ay'
he PRESIDENT said, the me. tint had now heard rim re-
Here was a committee cementing of merchants, and bankers
suit of the deliberations of their Parliament of Science, and
of the metropolis, determined to carry out the principle of
extending the vast benefits of the arts of peace, and maze- he presumed they approved of it. (Cheers.) The neat
feting their sincerity by subscribing for a testimonial to • duty was the recognition .:f the invitation from the town for
t the visit of the Association.
member of the corporation who had devoted his time and
The Marquis of NORTRAMPTON said the British Amnia-
talents to the service of the community. That committee asked
tion had that day,
for the first time, adopted the judicious
the court for permission to erect the bust of that man, and
and, he might add, the agreeable step of admit'ing into its
the answer they were to get was, s' What! admit
body a certain number of those whom they had been anus-
& person who was Lot victorious at Traialgar er Waterloo ! tomed to admire for their tesaty, and whom they would
dreadful!" Would the court be carried away by each non- heneeferth be able equally to admire for their talent,--ha
sense ? (Hear, hear, and laughter.)
What' when they meant the ladies,--so many of whom had honoured. the
wanted to till up a niche they must look omit for • stray assseiation withins (Hear,theirprese presence, and taken a lively interest in
warrior, instead of fixing upon one of the ablest, one of the itA proceedings. hm;.) The immediate object of
most iadefatigeble, one of the most zealous, and one of the his rising, however, was to propose the thanks of the Belli&
most honourable men amongst themselves F (Cheers.)_ Ale
~Assocatisimtiontoton tinhe
gemaamlyer,,thao.e authorities, and andlyinanhabaitants of
ter a considerable discussion, in which Mr. Benumb. Der. L.
Taylor, Mr. Deputy Stevens, Mr. Fewness, Mr. B. Taylor, '•----
'calved ton
association amongst them. (Hear, inete•b)tit
Mr. Ashhurst, 11r. King, Mr. Anderson, Mr. Dee Jersey,
was
and Dr. Lynch took-part, the court divided. whew the origi- warm, the cordial reception they had met with, especially
nal motion was carried by a =Smite of 31, the numbers from the ehief magistrate, who, although engaged in coin-
being, for the admission at the bust, et ; against it, 34. menu, knew the value of science, and remembered that all
ELECrIoet OF Ist/iiD MAYOR.—On Ttseeday, at the the great commercial nations of ancient times had gloried in
Swan-with-Two-Necks. Gresham-street, the fries of 3/r. peliesophy,—had esteemed, as of the highest worth, the arta
Alderman Wood held, a meeting, to consider what stele and mission. (Hear, hear.) The present meeting of the
should be taken to secure his elution to the mayoralty of association had been a very succeafal one, both with respect
London. The atteadance was &emerald and respectable.
Mr. Depnq Mukha was called to the chair, and Mr. Al- to the number who had attended it, and the papers that adh
been presented, not alone by the philosophers of England,
derman \rood addressed the meeting. Resolutions were but by some of the most eminent philosophers of Europe.
passed asserting Alderman Wood's high claims to the es Rear," and cheers.) He only regretted that they did
mayoralty on aceount of his private worth, as well as the not see amongst them the philosophers of another
exemplary manner in which he bad performed his public nation, which he did not like to call fortis*, because its
duties as sheriff and aldermen ; o:probing unabated confi-
to people were of the same blood, and spoke the same language
deuce in him; pledging the meeting to use all exertions
as ourselves—he meant our transatlantic brethren—(ebeers)
promote his election ; and suet • ' the chairman to trans-
mit a copy of the resolutions to the rd Mayor, in order some of whom they had seen at former meetings e and
amongst them he would especially refer to a distinguished
that they might be placed before the Court of Aldermen. . frier of science, of civilisation, and, be would add, of pun
St. PANCRAS.—At a somewhat stormy meeting of —Hr, Everett. (Loud cheers.) That gentleman had now
the vestry of this perish, held on Wednesday, it was resolved gone back to America, where he had retired from the stormy
that the directors of the poor be requested to make an in- region of political life, and settled down to be the patron, the
q• y into the ease of John Mackenzie, who, it was alleged, gorernor, it were, of science in that country. (Hear,
is treated in the workhouse with undue severity, and gene- Ewa.) as
And no doubt he would be glad to hear of the can-
nily consigned to the oak= room, though he is • person tinned success of the British Association. The present =set-
a weak intellect. It was shampooed that a number of the sag had been „anew. also, in its meek,' results. The
vestry should be associated with the directors in their inquire number of parsons who bad attended it, it was tree, had not
into the management of the workhouse. The motion, been so peat as at Manchester and Hlaegow ; bat it bad been
however, was negatived, and the churchwarden informed the greater in proportion to the size of the town, and the number
meeting that the directors had concluded their inquiry, end of members who resided in it and the neighbourhood—
had only to draw up their report. (hear, hear)--and it was &proof of the progress of the are-
ROYAL ORTHONEDIC IIosETTAL.—The hal-yearly elation; it was also a proof he thought that when they again
meting of the committee of this institution, estahlished for visited %hoes great taus, they would be honoured by the

attendance of a greater number than they had ever had be-
tore. The association had expended, for the last two or
three years, more than its receipts ; but they had done in
in the confidence that the liberal rapport of the public would
Moe them, and they world not be disappointed. (Chem.)
The noble marquis then referred, is terms of warm eulogy,
to the opening address of the paaident (Sir R. I. blur-
son), and proceeded to observe, that the benefits of the um-
dation were not limited to all that they saw on
such occasions as the prevent, or to all that was
put down on paper, but it might be mieans of lighting up
the spark of science in many a mind whirls should hereafter
prove an illumination to the world in general. (Cheers.)
He believed that the calling out of intellect was one of the
great means to promote virtue, and her handmaid, religion.
(Hear, hear.) They met together to study the works of the
Great Creator of nature—to discover the wonders which
were only to be found by those who leaked for them. (Hear,
hear.) He who ran might read, but hir could not suggest ;
it was only those who looked for the wanders of nature that
could find them. (Hear, hear.) If they did these thiqp
merely for their own sake, and not for the benefit of
kind and the glory of the Orettor, they would indeed abase
the gifts which had been bestowed upon them. (liker,
hear.) But their talents were given to them for the p
of use, and they had no right to wrap them in a n=
When a man attained any degree of knowledge, he did sot
know to what extent it might be applicable, or the degree in
which it might benefit his fellow-creatures ; it was, there-
fore, their duty to seek after as much knowledge as they
could, acquire, and then propagate it amongst others.
(Hear, hear.) He would, in conclusion, call upon all thine
who did not belong to Southampton, to unite with him in
expressing their acknowledgments to its inhabitants for the
kindness with which they had received the members of the
British Association. (Loud cheers.)
The MAYOR returned thanks,—Southampton had never
before received • body whose visit v. as likely to be of
so much permanent advantage to it as the British Associa-
tion. (Cheers.) When he saw such men around him as a
Herschell, who could rise from that room and assure them
the, he saw shining ou the brink of discovery another
planet, and a philosopher whose name was spread over the
whole civilized world —an Oersted—need he say that

Southampton was indeed honoured. He thanked the
society for the honour they had conferred on his native
town, in making it the locality where they had shed the light
of science. The authorities of the town had endeavoured to
receive the Associ►tion, not with a showy, flashy hospitality,
but as a body of philosophers; and he hoped they had so for
sue:ceded. (Cheers.) lle trusted also that one result of
this visit would be that the "spark of science" would be
lighted in the town, and that Leis meeting would be the
foundation of a society which should carry out that spark
into a brilliant flame, so that Southampton might have reason
hereafter to rejoice at the reception they had thus given to
the British Association. (Cheers.)
The PRESIPENT then called on Professor Phillips,
who said, when they considered the requirements of the
Association, at their annual meetings, the number of
rooms and public buildings they occupied, to the
prejudice of the business usually carried on in them,
they must be sensible of the obligations of the Association to
Southampton. Whatever town invited them, must calcu-
late upon a week, at least, entirely devoted to the business of
this body, at great personal sacrifice. At least one great
advantage had been gained by the present meeting. The
most eminent men of the world would be no longer strangers
to each other. (Cheers.) The discussions had been none'of
them uninteresting to the welfare of the community, and
these had learned that those who were most advanced in in-
tellectual acquirements, were those who felt in the most
intense degree the very small progress thousands of years
made in understanding the works of nature. (Cheers.) The
Southampton meeting had been more fully attended, consi-
dering the population, than those at Cambridge and other
larger towns. This showed the progress the Association was
making in public estimation. He would conclude by mov-
ing the thanks of the Association to the local committee,
for whose exertions the Association was mach indebted.

Dr. C L A kK responded.
Sir JOHN lleitscitvLL,having been called on by the Pre-
sident, said, though he felt wholly inudequate to it, yet
having been placed by the President in the position of the
representative of Bi itish and Foreign science, on this occa-
sion he rose to fulfil the duty which devolved upon him.
However remarkable Great Britain had made herself iu the
pursuit of science, she was still only one amongst many
others who were struggling for eminence and prominence in
that great career of civilisation which was now opening to
mankind. (Hear, hear.) lie felt the difficulty of his posi-
tion then, when he was called upon to express not merely
the feelings of the British Association, but to speak to the
great cause of civilisation in reference to European science.
England was maid to be an island, and as far as geographical
position went undoubtedly she was a: but England repu•
dieted the position of an island so far as regarded her
connexion with European science, and with the science
and civilisation of the world. (Cheers.) The great'
bridge had been built—there was no longer a great
gulf between Great Britain and the continent. The
mind of man rose superior to the physics of mutter. It had
bridged over the great gulf. In regard to science, Great
Britain was not disunited from the continent of Europe.
(Cheers.) l'ointed, however, to the science of Europe,
there was but one direction the compass MIA.: could take—
and that was towards Professor Oersted—(applause)—who
had developed recondite )rowers of such a nature, that some
of them seemed to caution us against admitting the moat
obvious laws of nature, those of force and motion for in-
stance. (Cheers.) lie knew not when M. Oersted first
came forward with the bright idea compared with which the
electric telegraph and those things which used to astonish us
were merely ephemeral and scum upon the surface. (Hear,
hear.) In electro-magnetism M. Oersted brought forward
a principle which was constantly developing itself in new
ways, delightful to the eyes and pleasing to the heart. The
next name his attention reverted to, he might compare
to that Titon who could tear up the rocks and call
the lightning to his aid. He need scarcely my he
spoke of Professor Scheinbein. (Hear, hear.) They had the
representatives of many nations present; but that nation
which was most immediately connected with us in contiguity
of position and other circumstances was France. Let them
call to mind the distinguished array of philosophic power that
had always distinguished France. Newton gave to England
a new system, hut Newton was too much in advance of his
age. Under the influence of Newton, England was blinded
by excess of light, and English geometry remained in a state
of stupefaction until French geometry came and supplied for
the instant only the want. They had Du Place present as
the representative of France, and he regretted the absence of
Dumas, who was prevented by gout from attending. There
was no nation in Europe which, comparing the importance
atilt scientific and literary men with its numerical pupal*.
tion, stood higher titan Switzerland. There was Pretenses.
Wartman, who had distinguished himself by valuable com-
munications to some of the sections. They had also Asinine
and others. They had the repiewntative of the science of
Prussia in H. Rose, and from ltusaiu there was M. Midden-
dorf. There were many more besides these, but he
could not enumerate all in so brilliant a constellation.
The presence and influence of such men was genial to the
progress of science. It brought the association in contact
with the national mind of other countries, and it was most
important they should know the position of England is
relation to science, as compared with the continent. After
some further observations, which were delivered in so low
a tone of voice as not to be heard, and in fact this defect more
or less prevailed through the whole speech, the hon. baronet
sat down.
Mr. M. STIRLING complained of the use of the term
"scum," by Sir John in reference to Mr. Wielden's inven-
tion, the electric telegraph.
Sir J. HEM:HELL explained. If he had used the word
" scum " it was not in an offensive sense ; and he regretted
having employed it at all. He had the highest respect fur
Mr. Wielden, who had conducted the lightning, notenly into
the electric telegraph, but as many other useful purposes as
would occupy him until to-morrow morning to explain.
(Hear, hear.)
The Plenum:sr then called upon the great discoverer of
the rules of electricity.
Professor Okissrieu, said he had received so much honour,
so much kindness, and more particularly so much praise
from his own friend Sir John Herschel), that. he felt
overpowered by his feelings of gratitude, which added
to the difficulty of speaking an a language he was so little
accustomed to. lie had not, however, neglected the Eng-
lish language, but bed studied it from her hest anthems; he
had taken great delight in her poets and in het prose
writers; but be had been so short a time in this country that
he had not obtained sufficient ease in speaking as to. enable
him to address such an audience. lie felt lionoured.at their
kindness to him personally, but more seat the acknowledg-
ment of the program of sie:ensie in this eeuntry. (Hem, hear.)
There was no country that had more reason to loge science
than England ; she had produced many great scientific
men of the highest eminence ; be feared to enumerate
them, because they were so many' he need only mention,
Newton, the inventor of new theories in seeence. Eng-
land, which was so powerful, had, obtained alerrat portiere
of that power not more by her own exertions than by
the aid which she had obtained from misses ; and she
was justly prominent, not only for her adlancserneat in
science, hat for the encouragement which she gave to
scientific men; and he felt, then, the highest gratification
and honour in corning amongst the priests. of that saoatuary.
(Cheers.)
The PRESIDENT then said, that before he proceeded to
terminate the present meeting of the British Association, he
must acknowledge that he felt proud, as President of the
Association, that it should have worked so well and so har-
moniouely at iris meeting at Southampton. The objects to
which he bad alluded in his opening address would be, nay
had been, carried out,, and that successfully. They were met
together as the English parliament of science, for he main-
tained that they represented the science of all England, be-
muse there had been assembled atthe meetings of the British
Association, at one time or another, every man who was en-
titled to the name of eminence in science ; or if he could net
say that all were associated with them, there wee no each
man in the conatry who did not confer en the British Asso-
ciation his warm approbation. (Cheers.) He spurned,
therefor; any criticism on the advancement of the British
Association. (Loud cheers.) He spoke to them as an
humble geologist who had ardently worked with his hammer
and his hands, but when he saw himself supported by such
men as Herschell, Owen, Faraday, and all the distinguished
individuals who then surrounded him, what other guarantee
could be want of the value andutility tithe British Association ?
They had already accomplished great things, but if persons
would not read—if they would not make themselves ae-
gitainted with the proceedings of the society—they had no
right to criticise. All they required was an open stage and
no honor. They, invited attention to their acts, hut if cer-
tarn persons would turn those seta into ridicule, and bait
.=
isolated expreeeions at their meetings, which had no b=
on what they were carrying out—if, moreover, they
not read the discourse which be had had the honour of de-
livering to them, showing what the association had done—
ao proof could be given that they were not actuated
My a sr..irit of honesty and junk* (cases; pitta if it was