The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1824-12-02 00:00:00

BOY:IL SOCIETY.

The anniversary dinner of the Royal Society was held on nimbi!,
at the Crown and Anchor Tavern. The Presolcm. Sir tltnupltry
Davy, was in the chair, eopported by Mr. Secretary Peel sod
Lord Ilexley. Davies Gilbert. }:sq. M.P , Sir Thomas Lawrence,
President of the Royal Academy, and many other gentlemen dis-
tinguished far art or science, were present. After the usual loyal
toasts had been given from the chair,
Mr. Davis Grimmer rose to propose the health of the Pre-
sident. Amongst the duties which the Society had inivoeed upon
him, in electing him to the ettice which he bore, none Was more
congenial to his feelings than the sanusl task of thus claiming
their attention to the distinguished individual who occupitd the
chair. The discoveries of Sir Humphry Davy, in analysing the
alkalies and the earths, were unequalled in brilliancy and import-
tsnee since the days of Sir Isaac Newton. Ile had the aatist'action
of announcing another discovery of a similar character, and of the
greatest practical utility. It was known to the lovers of chemical
science that Sir liumpbry Davy, in the course of his taint-Imila'
upon the alkalies and earths was led to suppose that the chemical
atlinitos of bodies have a certain relation to their electric or gal-
vanic attractions, and that by effecting an alteration in the hitter
the former might be changed. This, which at first was co more
than a sagacious conjecture or ingenious theory, Sir Ilurupbry
Davy had now established by actual experiment, and had applied
to purposes of great national importance. lie altered the chemical
affinities of copper so as to render it nearly indestructible. Ships
could now perform die longest voyages without the copper sheath.
ing on their bottoms being curraued by the action of the meet;
and while a very important seeing was thus effected in this neces-
sary article of naval equipment, the invaluable lives of our seamen
were rendered lees insecure. De had only to add, that while the
Royal Society was under the guidance of such a President, its
hoilours would perpetually accumulate, and its services to science
would hourly increase..-ttirrat applause.)
The Pith:etnexr returned thanks a very appropriate address.
The field or science Was boundless—there were no limits to human
improvement. Ile proposed the health of their Treasurer, Illy.
Davies (Albert, who rettinual thanks.
The I'nestnesr proposed" The health of the Right Honour-
able Robert l'eel." 'They were peculiarly happy in being ho.
maned with the presence of one of his Majesty's Alinisters, who,
from the nature of his Mke, was the natural patron of every dis.
cowry in science and application of art, which tealed um pro-
mote the internal improvement of the cruntry. The Royal
Society was already under ritaly obligations to the present Matte
Secretary, and he was confident would ye; be tinder many more.
Ale. Secretary l't:sh returned Marks, in a speech peculiarly
happy and appropriate, and sat down amidst the cordial approba-
tion of the company.
The l'attaintexy then gave " The health of Dr. Prookbv, the
President of the Royal Irish Academy." Ile had, in his address
in the morning, cephiined the grounds upon which the Council
had conferred the Copley Medal on this distinguished mathe-
inatieian. In the higher analyses he secoadvsl la Plac:. I! is
papas upon the parallax of the fixed stets were before the So-
defy in their Ti iv. Last year the Copley Medal was eon.
(erred on Mr. l'ontl, the As:romance Royal, for a series of abate.
rations made at tiretrivcieb, which seemed to eatablish the m smilax
of the fixed stars ; t iris year they conferred the same medal upon
Dr. Itrookby„ for a scrim of observations made at I)uldia, which
go to prove that the fixed stars have no parallax. Ile mould not
pretend to &tide between these distitigiti.hod mathematicians.
All he would say wr.s, that the controversy between them was
carried on in a spirit uhich 010.1 additional lustre upon science.
Mr. Pond, as a Member of the Council, was the first to vote fur
coo erring tile medal upon Dr. llroolthy.
The toast was received with rreat applause.
The Perm:int:sr then gave - The Pcorrees 4 Science all over
the World ;" and the company, consisting of Pt, weathers, broke
up ehtitit ten o'clock, after a day peculiarly gratifying to the lovers
of science.

1.1r::s root., Nor. sm—Yestetday, about ten o'clock, the
City of Dublin steam packet, from Dublin, anchored out-
side the Rork to wait for water to carry her through the
channel. 'fire., boats from hence went off to take her
passengers on share. One of them, in which were fifteen
passengers and an infant (including One? boatmen) put off
from the swan packet. When they had reached ncarl;
opposite the It-gent's Dock, a squall of wind upset the
boat, and out of the number above mentioned, only four
persons (one of them the boatman's son) and an infant
were saved ; the ethers were drowned, notwithstanding
great exertions were made to sirs them. The tide was
rtmning rapidly, and the weather was %cry boisterous a;,
the time.

On the waves hreaLing into the warehouses of Messrs.
Lipscombe, at Teignmouth, Mr. L. in endeavouring w save
the property of the fan), received such injury, that after
being taken acnse.les.s away, it was long ere animaticn could
be restored. A vowel which had been charterod by this
house, and bad sailed the preceding day, foundered a scat,
and all on board Except tEe Captain perished.