The Express.
London, England, 1860-02-23 00:00:00

80CLETI OP 41T3.

At the meeting of this moiety last evening, Sir
TROILLS PIIILLIPP in the chair, the paper read was " On
a New Lime Light," by Mr. S. Squire Baxter. The author
gave an account of the principal sources of srutici-1 light
generally employed previously to the introduction of gas,
the most substantial improvement in this respect which had
been mode in modern times. Be thought, however, that if
any evidence were wanting to confirm the tecemity for still
further advances in the production of • powerful and econo-
mical light, it would only be necessary to advert to the many
attempts which had from time to time been made, at great
cost of labour and money, with a view to achieve Nometuing
as far surpassing gas, as gas bad already surpassed its re-
deosesors. After touching upon the electric light, and point-
ing out the difficulties in the way of its general application,
be passed to the more immediate subject of his paper.
The lime light, produced by the action of jets of
oxygen and hydrogen upon lime, had been extensively
employed for many purposes where a light of short duration
only was required. The late Lieutenant Drummond, as far
back as 1826, had made merry important trials to establish it
sit a Stet-clam light, and had been to a certain extent suc-
cessful. He proposed to apply it for lighthouses, but from
the imperfect state of the appliance* at that time his propo-
sition was not entertained by the authorities. The extensive
and more important applications of the lime light required
that a light should be predated of greater permanence than
any hitherto obtained. The remedy for the existing defects
of the lime light which the author proposed mingled In en-
closing the lime in a cue or guard, so as to pro-
tees it from the action of the atmosphere, aa
well se from falling away and extinguishing the
light, should the lime by any accident creek, or -become other-
wise injured. By these miser, be stated that lime, for any
reasonable period might be supplied to the lamp, producing
a continuous and steady light. In this arrangement carbu-
! ratted hydrogen gas was employed instead of pure hydrogen.
The mechanioal appliances required were stated to tie ex-
tremely simple, and the cost of the light was said to be about
one-half the price of its egnivelent gas light, all expenses
being Wen into consideration. In conclusion, the author
pointed out some of the numerous purposes to which this
' light could be applied.
A discussion ensued, in which Dr. LethebT, Dr. Bach-
hoffeer, Messrs. Calvert, Dennis, W. Hawse, 7. Lambert. J.
McLauchlan, W. E. Newton, T. J. Pearseil, C. H. Smith,
Dr. Squire, W. Strode, D. 'Watley, G. F. Wilson, and the
chairman took part.

ROYAL GENERAL THEATRICAL FUND.—Yesterdny
the manna meeting of the members of the Royal General
Theatrical Fund, incorporated for granting permanent pen-.
none to deoayed and aged members of the hisuionic pro-
fession, including chorus singers, dancers, pantomimist., and
prompters, was held in the saloon of the Lyceum Theatre,
Mr. J. B. Socialitese in the chair. It appeared from the
statement of the secretary, Mr. Callenford, that the total in- "
come of the society for toe past year amounted to 1,3821.%
16a. 7d., of which 3il. 15a. bad been received as admission,
feet from new members, and 3201. 4e. 10d. had been ob-
tained as profit upon the annual dinner, the residue of the
eociety's income having arisen from toe subscriptions of
members and the interest upon the reserve fend, made up of
the accumulation of the balsams of income over expenditure.
With respect to outlay, the axamirtes had returned
subscriptions to the event of 101. 12e. 7d., bestowed a
donation of 25W. to the fund. of the Royal Dramatic Col-
lege, one of 501. to a lady, a former dramatic celebrity, and
one of U. to another. They had also paid the funeral ex-
posers of two otter Wive, and added the sum of 0261. fts. faid.
to the annuity fund. After the garment of these sums and
the usual coat of management, there remained in hand on
the general fund a balance of 3211. 135.1
and on thean-
nuitants' kid 1265 which aided}d., to former se-
cumulations made the whole blames 11,3021. 7e. 7d. TWs
report having been received and adopted., the committee of
management was appointed for the enitung year, and other
Imelome transacted, when the proceedings terminated in the
mual manor.

ROYAL POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION.—A more Itp-
enbject could not have been ranted for the season
of than that of a Menne, which wee given ler the arm
time last night, by Mr. Malone Raymood, a traveller in the
Hay Land—" Jermalses in the dale of the Redeemer."
The Wotan la illustrated by • rioters of the Holy City, the
points of intend king vary distinctly referred to as bdn
sNots maimed sacred by the personal vista of our bleated
"M. tech n icebtfie dc. mea to Ole favourite establish-
'oat, which hm, Peerage, does more is its time to elevate,
Instruct, and amen ite pogrom than any other Similar ill'