The Sun.
London, England, 1855-09-20 00:00:00

LONDON, THURSDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER, 20, 1855.

FARRINGDON WITHIN WARD, Sept 19th,
1855.—At a Wardmlte holden this day, at the Court-room,
(hrist's Hospital, before the Right Hon. the Lord Mayor, Sir
FRANCIS GRAHAII MOON, Bart., for the choice of a lit and
able person to be Alderman of this Ward, in the room and stead of
the Right Worshipful Thomas Kelly, Esq.:—
It was moved by the Rev. Michael Gibbs, M.A., Vicar of Chfst's

The troops which have been brought by the Czar
into the Crimea since the outbreak of the war
amount to no less than 12 divisions, or two•thirds
of the ordinary army, besides the two divisions of
Grenadiers above alluded to. The residue of this
enormous force, after the losses of Alma, Inker-
man, the Tchernaya, the 11 months' siege of Se-
bastopol, and the hardships and privations of last
winter, still amount to a formidable army—one
which, if it could be regularly fed and reinforced
with supplies of men and munitions, would reason-
ably inspire no small anxiety. Happily, however,
this is not the case. We have already reduced it
to a condition of scarcity, and there seems a fair
prospect of converting this scarcity into absolute
famine before the means of retreat can be provided.
There are two points the command of which
would confine the retreat of the Russian army—
supposing it to desire to retreat—within the limits
of the Dnieper on the west and the Moloschnija
Wodi on the east ; or, in the event of its remaining
in its present position, would limit the access of
supplies to the same area, and the effect of this
would be tantamount to the complete dispersion
and disorganisation of the whole. Except in scat-
tered parties, it would be impossible to pass through
the steppe within the abovementioned bounds, and
the survivors of such a disastrous retreat wander-
ing over the Ukraine would add the testimony of
their sufferings to the opinion which—let the Go-
vernment do what it will—is growing rapidly in
the interior of Russia as to the hopeless character
of the struggle in which the ambition of an un-
scrupulous ruler has engaged his miserable people.
The two points which would secure this result
are forced upon our attention by the conduct of
the Russians themselves during the extremely in-
structive campaigns of 1736-8. Munich and Lacy,
being without the arm which we pdhesf in our
dominant navy, attached the greatest importance
to the possession of Kinbouroun (by which they se-
cured the means or transport down the Dnieper)
and to the establishment of a lino of communica-

Church, and seconded by Ilenry Blake, Esq.,—
That Edward Eagleton, Eq.. Deputy, he the Al lerman of thi
Ward, who was thereupon unanimously elected to fill the said office.
Moved by Mr. George Simpson, seconded by Mr. Thomas Cole,

and carried unanimously,—

That this Wardmote cannot separate without offering one more
mark of respect to the memory of the late Alderman of this Ward,
Thomas Kelly, Esq., now deceased, who for a period of 25 years
filled that important office, with honour to himself and satisfaction
to kis constituents ; and by his many charitable acts, amiable dis
position, and urbane manners, gained the love and reverence of
all who knew him.
Moved by Deputy Holt, seconded by Mr. Wace, and resolved una-

- _
iumously,—
That the best thanks of this Wardmote be given to the President,
Treasurer, and Governors of Christ's Hospital, for granting the use
of their Court-room for holding this Wardmote.
Moved by Air. Buckland, seconded by Mr. Fenn, and resolved

unanimously,—

...... ,
That the thanks of this Wardmote be presented to the Right Hon.
the Lord Mayor, for his able and Impartial con,iuct in the chair.
That the foregoing resolutions be signed by the Ward Clerk, and
inserted in the usual papers.
J. W. WARREN, Ward Clerk.

tion along the Moloschnija Wodi. For the secure
maintenance of this Lacy built a strong fort on the
main at no great distance from Genitchi, and it
would not surprise me that the bulk of the Grena-
diers, which have recently been brought with such
hot haste to the seat of war, are established in a
fortified .camp in that very locality, for the purpose
of protecting precisely the same line of commu-
nication.

If the Allied Commanders should take the same
view of the importance of those positions which
the two great Generals abovementioned enter-
tained, it!is satisfactory to think that by the de-
struction-of the Russian fleet our own naval forces
are rendered fully available for securing the com-
mand of them ; in which case, we may reasonably
expect the Crimea to fall, not only without that
sacrifice of life which another pitched battle would
involve, •but without the even greater loss which
would prp'hably be incurred by marching over the
waterles's!Eteppe to bring the enemy to action. The
English and French people may rest perfectly
satisfied that if Prince Gortschakoff once leaves
the Salghir, and pushes for Perekop, nothing more
will be requisite for the total disperson of his army
than to keep him on the route which has been
indicated above by preventing him from passing
the Dnieper at Aleschki or Berislav, and from
gaining the valley of the Moloschnija. Wodi, and
so proceeding in the direction of Bakmouth.

THE BRITISH ASSOCIATIOIV.

Tho annual dinner of the Association was held on

Tuesday evening, in the City Hall, which was elegantly

decorated for the occasion.

Shortly before six o'clock the Duke of Argyll en-
,ered the hall, leading the Countess Campello, followed

by the Lord Provost leading Lady Lyell. Big Grace

occupied the chair, and wag supported on the right by
the Countess of Campello, Sir Charles Lyell, Mrs. Den-
nistoun, Sir David Brewster, Baron Lielig, Dr. Lyon
Playfair, Colonel Sabine, and Sir Philip Egerton ; and

on the left by Lady Lyell, the lion. the Lord Provost,
Prince Bonaparte, Sir R. I. Murchison, Professor

Philips, Professor Rogers, and M. Daubeny. We also
observed on the platform Sir Edward Belcher, Sir A.
Alison, Bart., Sir M. S. Stewart, Bart., M.P., Sir John
Richardson, Monckton Milnes, Esq., M.P., Professor

James Nicol, Professor Ramsay, Professor Harknesq,
Colonel Rawlinson, W. T. Lindsay, Esq., M.P., M.
Mahmoud, Sheriff Bell, Sheriff Steel, Dr. Morton Shaw,

Captain Collinson, R.N., Captain Allen, R.N., Pro-
fessor Sytne, Robert Chambers, Esq., Lieut.-Colonel

Campbell, &c.
John Strang officiated as croupier.

Blessing was asked by the Rev. Dr. Robinson, of

Armagh, and the Rev. Dr. Scoreshy returned thanks.
The noble CHAIRMAN gave the "Health of the Queen,"
which was drunk with all the honours. He next gave
the " Health of his Royal Highness Prince Albert."

Great applause.)
The noble CHAIRMAN next proposed the "Health of

the Lord Provost, and Prosperity to the City of Glas-
gow." (Drunk with all the honours.)

The LORD PROVOST returned thanks.

His GRACE then proposed the healths of Prince Charles
Lucien Bonaparte, Baron Liebig, and Professor Rogers,
as the representatives of foreign science, or rather science
not British, for we looked upon the progress of America
as identical with our own. This toast was drunk with
all the honours.

more like my other friend, Sir Charles Lyell, replied,
" May be it growed." (Laughter and cheers.) I dare
say in him Sir Charles will recognise a young disciple.
I proceed now to ask you to drink to " The Health of
Professor Sedgwick," who is one of the most distin-
guished men connected with geology. (Cheers.) We
honour him for his great attainments, and for the genial
manner which distinguishes him ; and with him we
couple that college of which he is an eminent professor
—the University of Cambridge. (Great cheering.)
Professor SEDGWICR said—Ladies and gentlemen of the
British Association, I rise to do my best to respond to
the manner in which you have received the mention of
my name. This has been done in virtue of my being the
oldest member of the association, and I would not be wor-
thy of the honour you have done me if I did not respond
when you give the University of Cambridge. I believe
that Cambridge is performing her duty nobly. After some
further remarks on this topic, the speaker paid a warm
tribute to Sir D. Brewster for his successful "Life of Sir
Isaac Newton." He went on to say—The duty of an aca-
demy teacher is not to make discoveries ; still it is well to
see teachers standing in the front rank of discovery.
(Cheers.) They are the men who must strike out a new
course now and then. All academic men have thB ut-
most sympathy with this Association which is now
assembled. Some of these have done the best work for
science. This meeting has been one of the best we
ever had, and I can say that some of the best work of
the Association has been done in Glasgow. I rejoice to
see the ladies present at this meeting. They are the
sweeteners of the rugged path of science. (Laughter
and cheers.) I congratulate the society and all present
on the prospect before us. (Applause.) We will go on
for ages to come making great progress and many dis-
coveries. (Cheers.) The learned professor having made
a few further observations, resumed his seat, after again
thanking the company for the honour conferred on him.
The CHAIRMAN—There is a green island in the west
called. Ireland. We must not forget that there are some
of the most distinguished scientific men of the age. We
have among us Dr. Robinson, of Armagh, whose name
is one of the most famous in the scientific world. He
has been one of the most constant and steady friends of
this Association. I beg to couple his name with the
Royal Irish Academy.

Dr. ROBINSON, on rising to reply, was received with
great applause. He said—l have difficulty in reply-
ing, as I did not intend to speak ; but as the toast has
not been given so much on my account as on that of the
institution over villich I preside, I beg to return my
warmest thanks not for the academy only, but for the
country itself. It is true I was one of the earliest mem-
bers of the British Association, and have ever been most
ready to do all I can to further its interests. The in-
fluence of this Association has been felt in Ireland, and
I have reason to believe it has not been lost upon no.
After a lengthy and able address, he concluded by say-
ing—" If we be successful, next year, in getting the As-
sociation to visit Dublin, we will give its members a
warm and hearty welcome." This sentiment was re-
ceived with thunders of applause.

The LORD PROVOST said he had the honour to pro-
pose the health of the noble President. (Cheers.) The
Duke of Argyll was not only known afar, but well
known in the city of Glasgow. At an early period he
appeared as chairman of the Atheneum. On that occa-
sion the brilliance of the display surprised them all.
Again, he bad the honour of being chosen Lord Rector
of the University. His address on that occasion raised
him still higher in their estimation as an educated
gentleman. (Cheers.) It was creditable to Scotland to
have a nobleman who devoted not only much of his
time to assist scientific men, but also to the study of the
sciences. He had no doubt they would all join him in
wishing good health, long life, and much prosperity to
their noble chairman. (Loud applause.)
The Duke of ARGYLL, in rising to reply, assured the
audience that ho felt it very difficult for him to thank
them sufficiently for the honour done him. The noble
chairman, before sitting down, proposed the health of
the president elect, Dr. Daubeny, of Oxford, which was
received with applause.

Dr. DAUBENY, in reply, stated that the honour con-
ferred on him as president for the ensuing year arose, he
believed, solely from his connection with the University
of Oxford, and he hoped that this would more intimately
associate the University of Oxford with the British
Association and the interests of science. Within the
last few years a strong interest in science had been intro-
duced into this ancient University. He referred to the
foundation of a new museum, at a cost of not less than
30,0001. He had a drawing of this museum in his
pocket, which was emblematical of the University, in
so far as it was of Gothic structure, but bad a glass
dome, after the style of Mr. Paxton, thereby combin-
ing classical antiquity with scientific progress. Con-
servative as he was, he approved of what Government
had lately done for the improvement of the University
of Oxford. The learned gentleman sat down amid
applause. _ _ _

The noble CHAIRMAN then called for a special bum-
per to the ladies who had honoured them with their
presence. (Immense cheering.)

The company separated at a quarter past nine o'clock.

GT,Asaow, Tuesday.—Yesterday the various sections
resumed. A number of the papers read were of a very

mportant character. The following paragraphs will

Prince LUCIEN BONAPARTE, who rose to reply in be- furnish a general idea of the more popular and interest-
half of French science, was received with enthusiastic ian g
considerable
those documents. ,
:amount
,of
The attendanceine oew
as xh was
sle b
good,
andy
applause. His Highness said—Understanding, as he was those who, in various pasections,t listened to lengthy, dull,
sure they did, the language of the heart, he trusted they and discursive addresses on subjects which required very
would pardon the faultiness of the lips. (Applause.) He considerable skill and ability to render them attractive
had the good fortune to visit Scene of the principal manu- even to those who were conversant with the topics of
factories in Glasgow, and was struck with the ingenuity
i.whichh they treated. . A refreshment-room has beer! este-
h
erl over which 18 posted a placard, printed in the
there displayed. He had done some good for the associa- regular' form, " Gastronomic Section."
tion in always advocating the presence of ladies at all their n
meetings, and he was glad to see so many of the fair sex OBSERVATIONS ON RAIN-FALLS AND HAILSTORMS.
Mr. P. L. SIIkiMONDS read a paper on this subject.
there. He had been glad to renew his acquaintance After pointing out the advantages which would result
with many distinguished men, whom he had always re- from an accumulation of facts that would serve to guide
garded with affection and esteem. None did he rejoice us to a knowledge of the mean average fall of rain in cer-
more to see than his old friend and brother naturalist Sir tairti. perifodse—t .atnhde pdrropsoorat9ioonn as temervamirnramtioonn:iaan dotinhteea:ll toeurt-
William Jardine, with whom he hoped soon to make a re- tnlaielavaalouewof such inqyuiries to, the. agriculturist,li the phy-
view of 30,000 skins at Jardine Hall. They bad arrived at sician, and the statist; and showed how important was
a time when the alliance between the French and English this knowledge of the mean annual fall of rain in par-
had come toe point where the interests of humanity would ticular localities, and the average number of days
theili
make it last for ever. (Cheers.) The British soldier could
never cross swords with the French soldiers after having which rain fell
sugar
plants, cane the ,i t
indigoth eyear
lan. t , Particularth e
might be entirely ruined by too much or too
fought together at Sebastopol. (Tremendous cheering.) little rain. Many localities, such as Malta, Gibraltar,
Baron LIEBIG, on rising to reply, apologised for his Ascension, &c., are obliged to husband the rain.-water
want of fluency in expressing himself in the English
ad-
tongue, but had only to say that he accorded his warmest
thanks in reply to all that could be said as to the success injuriously rjaLent lAatindds,thaere aotsaoto,epend t
the vine, and other plants, are
tanks. The navigation of rivers,en aonndathceeritrarlngaattnioonuntof
of this meeting on the present occasion. and the superabundance of moisture.
tEvenafatliroffacrtaiof
Professor ROGERS said—l have not words to express whether the moon has anyt inhfleuerneceatoivne h
proportions ofa
myself on this occasion. I came hero merely as a mem- uriously affected by the condition of the atmosphere,
is still a (ill:tend. pbotma.adTby 1
day was another point
tier of the British Association -4 have been welcomed as rtoaiuncit;ehr on.a by night
then took a survey of the
a friend and a brother. (Cheers.) I feel proud to look on
records of this branch of meteorology in the various
the glorious achievements of the arms of Britain and quarters of the globe, citing the comparative falls of rain
France in the East, and I pray that they may go on in in the tropics, and in temperate regions in various
triumph till their efforts have secured to Europe a lasting countries. The enumerations were, perhaps, the most
f
peace—my prayer that England may go on as she has done, full and complete that have ever been collected on this
important subject.
working advances in the cause of the whole earth, and that
Mr. SIMMONDS subsequently submitted "A few facts
those who are on the other side of the Atlantic may look about hail-storms in the East," which have lately coin-
to this across the waters which is a common highway
tAmhipet7iteditingiarsleyaayetaadrre.avnagstea,twioans
Irit,nhislimtneaddyiat;
tahnidsyCeeayr,loNny.
nAeetTAagLrian,
to both, with a friendly feeling, thinking not of the Sauglor;3.and Meoernutthme
11th
damage was done by bail in
gulf which separates, but the bridge which unites. In
has probably never been surpassed in the world. The
the name of my countrymen, and on behalf of my
andynamnsthoorrma
ofof thhaeil
' atones, which
natives were startled by a shower of more than as regards the size, weight,
cloounnetrorye,, laohdavle
htooptehathnaktyoau
efeoortitmheeohtoonfouhrroytohuerhhoaoyde
hailstones yhalvae
cricket-
will long exist between us. (Great applause.) ball size. Some of these weighed 6to 10 oz., and one or
in giving the toast of the University two more than ltlb. avoirdupois, with circumferences
The CHAIRMAN,
of Cambridge, coupled with the name of Professor Sedg- vtiliToTalit7l. 9to 13 inches. Though hail is common in
thefa
li e
nhot f weather, e esti hz
es r,
exceedingfor ten years 2 l op:ha:a ni
no
wick, said—l must now come down to the subdivisions
of the Association ; and, as we have so many distin- circumference. At Ceylon hail is unusual,. but in April
guished Scotchmen among us, we must consider our- last there was a heavy fall which lasted an hour, and of
selves as hosts on this occasion, and the strangers as our the size of marbles. Mr. Simmonds then furnished in a
e osidew T o
guests. I have now to propose the University of Cam- paper " A detailed account of the various earthquakes
bridge and
which have visited the islands of the Eastern
and Archip-
elago, the New Zealand group," particularly of the
e s
last shock at New Zealand, in January this year.
see
ea
stair Rodek
en Professor
possessionr
ick Murchison,
o Sedgwick.fap
ar t t
f Oaumu
ofh one
s
of
geologist, me
who
Sir R. MURCHISON read a paper in the Geological
own, under the name of Siluria. He is also famous in Section, which was much crowded, upon the relations of
Russia, part of which he has appropriated. And, gentle- the crystalline rocks of the North Highlands to the old
men, he was born on the east coast of Scotland, being, red sandstone of that region, and on the recent disco-
as he himself observed in one of the sections, nothing veries of Mr. Peach.
and cheers.) We have also here another name distin. Mr. Hugh
more than a fish from the old red sandstone. (LaughterAn interesting discussion ensued, in which.
Miller, Professor Sedgwick, Dr. Wright, Sir C. Lyell,
tinguished in science, that of Mr. Hugh Miller. (Cheers.) NEW
Professors Nicol, Ramsey, Philips, and others took part.
On my other hand there is Sir C. Lyon, who has an The Chevalier CLAUSSEN read a paper on Papyrus, Bo-
extensive range of scientiao acquirements ; he also is a napartea, and other plants which can furnish fibre for paper
Scotchman. (Applause.) I was long puzzled to know pulp. Referring to want of material experienced by paper
why my countrymen have studied the science of geology makers, M. Claussen said that what
wthzhaadstdreosidefirahtreed
so earnestly, but a circumstance recently occurred n unlimited suppaigy mav
which, in a great measure, explains it. One day, as I be obtained. Paper-makers regard rags containing 50
easilywa !a bleached,h
eap substitute
an d of
whichfor rags, i
was walking in Edinburgh, I observed two boys per cent. of vegetable fibre, mixed with wool or silk, as
with their satchels on their backs, " trudging along un- useless ; but by boiling these rags in caustic alkali, the
willingly to school." Just as they came in front of the animal fibre is dissolved,
naadthevegetablenifibresisaanvnai
or
able for the. manufacture f. white paper
Castle rock, one of them said to the other, " Ay, man,
I wonder boo that castle was built." (Laughter.) He lute,
pulp of inferior quality, bleached with difficulty.
seemed to be an amateur geologist of the same class as"' Agave, phormium, tertax, and Banana or plaintain fib re
ute, the inner bark of co? chorusindzcusp, pulp.
a
9 nay friend Professor Sedgwick, The other, who seemed (Ivlauilla hemp) are not only expensive, but it ik nearly

impossible to bleach them. The banana leaves contain
40 per cent, of fibre. Flax .wonld be suitable to replace
rags in paper, but the high price and scarcity of it,
caused partly by the war, and partly by the injudicious
way in which it is cultivated, prevents that. Six tons
of flax straw are required to produce one ton of flax
fibre, and by the present mode of treatment all the
woody part, or stems, are lost. By the Chevalier's process
the bulk of the flax straw is lessened by partial cleaning
before rotting, whereby about 50 or 60 per cent. of
shoves, a valuable cattle food, are caved, and the cost of
the fibre reduced. The flax pulp thus produces nearly
from 12 to 15 per cent. of paper pulp. Hemp produces
25 per cent. of paper pulp. Nettles produced. 25 per,
cent, of a very beautiful and easily bleached fibre. Palm
leaves contain 30 to 40 per cent. fibre, but are not easily
bleached. The Brorneliacece contain from 25.tb 40 per
cent. fibre. Bonapartea juncoides contain 35 per cents of
the most beautiful vegetable fibre known, which could be
used fur all kinds of manufactures in which flax, cot-
ton, silk, or wool are employed. This plant exists in
very large quantities in Australia, and it is most desir-
able that some of our large manufacturers would import
a quantity of it. The plant wants no other preparation
than cutting, drying, and compressing like hay. The
bleaching and finishing of it may be done here. Ferns,
equisetum, the inner bark of the lime tree, althea, stalks
of beans, peas, bops, buck-wheat, potatoes, lwather,
broom, and many other plants contain 10 to 15
.and
per cent, of fibre, but in most of them there are obvious
difficulties preventing their economical use. The straws
of the cereals cannot be manufactured into paper pulp,
unless cut before they are ripe, as the joints or knots of
the stalks are so hardened by ripening as to resist bleach-
ing agents. Many grasses contain from. 30 to 50 per
cent. of fibre, not very strong., but easily bleached:
Ground reeds and canes contain about an equal amount.
The wood of the coniferce gives a large proportion of
fibre suitable for paper pulp ; but the cost of preparing
would be about three times that of preparing rags. As
none of these (said M. Claussen) would entirely satisfy
on all points the wants of the paper-makers, I continued
my researches, and at last rernernbered.tle4apyrats (thee
plant of which the ancients made their paper), which I
examined, and found to contain about 40 per cent. of
strong fibre, excellent for paper, and very easilrbleached.
The only point which was not entirely satisfactory was
relative to the supply of it. I directed, therefore, my
attention to plants growing in this country, and ,
found, to my great satisfaction, that the common rushes'
(juncus cbrusus, and others) contain 40 per cent, of
fibre, quite equal, if not superior, to the papyrus fibre,
and a perfect substitute for rags in the manufacture of
paper, and that one ton of rushes contains more fibre
than two tons ef flax straw.
ARTIFICIAL INDIA-RUBBER.

The Chevalier CLAUSSEN also read a paper on artificial
gutta percha and India•rubber. After describing the
Hancornia specioso, a South American plant, which has
qualities similar to those of India-rubber, said that be
had succeeded in mixing starch, gluten, or flour, with
tannine, and resinous or oily substance, and had com-
pounded them with India-rubber or gutta percha with-
out altering its character. By this means he could so
increase the hardness of India-rubber and gutta percba
as to make it like horn. In this form he thought it
might be used as shields to protect the soldiers from
owtihtehri rpounr,p
onssiegsh, might
übcehuasse ful icoveringnfioa teilne
Minie balls, and some of these compounds, in combination
imitation of wood, ship-building, &c.
Egt ric batteries
telegraph aud
wires, many
THE AURIFEROUS DISTRICTS.
Mr. E. HOPKINS read a paper containing the results
of his own observations on the auriferous districts of the
world, in which he stated that gold was found only in
the primary rocks, and chiefly in quartz, because, when
the gold was precipitated, as it were, in nature, the
quartz was that with which its particles most readily
mixed. Gold might be found in all primary rocks of a
meridional structure, where crystalline sands predomi-
nated. It was a curious fact that gold might often be
found at the roots of large trees, because the roots,
having assimilated to its nourishment the other materials,
left the gold as an indigestible surface behind.
Professor Nicaon also read a paper, written by Mr.
Campbell, on the auriferous districts of Australia, in
which it was stated that the deeper the diggers went
in the solid reek the greater quantity of gold was found,
and that the supply was inexhaustible.
The CHAIRMAN (Sir R. Murchison) said he could not
agree with either of these papers. So far from gold being
found only in primary rocks, he knew that it was often
found in fossil-bearing rocks, and even in limestone. As
to Mr. Campbell's idea that the supply of gold was inex-
haustible, tEe would oppose to that theory the proved
and well-known fact, that of late years, with a greatly
increased number of diggers, the supply of geld had
greatly diminished. He did not doubt that there were
many gold-fields still untouched ; but he was quite satis-
fied that all the gold lay in troughs, and that in the
course of time it would be exhausted. As to gold being
found by vertical digging, he would oppose to that
theory the remarkable fact, that when the Spaniards
first conquered America and saw the amount of gold
there, they said, if these poor Indians have obtained so
much in the river beds, how much more shall we obtain
by digging. And yet they soon found out their mis-
take, so that it became a proverb with them—"lf a man
wants to make a large fortune let him mine for copper ;
if a moderate fortune, let him try silver; but if he
wants to ruin himself, let him dig for gold."