The Sun.
London, England, 1852-09-10 00:00:00

FRIDAY EVENING, SEPTEMBER 10, 1852.

likewise, and in a particular manner, to " that general
advancement of science by which all nations benefit
freely and alike in proportion to their degree of men-
tal cultivation." We may, then, learn whether that
beautiful hypothesis is correct or erroneous which
supposes that the double stars revolve round each
other in orbits, governed by rules similar to those
laws of molecular attraction which determine the
concentric orbits of the planets of the solar system.
We may, then, derive invaluable additions from the
nether hemisphere of facts throwing new light upon
the dawning glory of the new system of the
Nebulae, while amongst ourselves further
scrutiny is being directed to such heavenly
bodies es are more accessible to philo-
sophic investigation from their proximity—
to the surface, for example, presented to our gaze by
our own mysterious satellite. Referring to another
subject likely to fall under the peculiar attention of
the same section of Physics and Mathematics, the
President spoke in terms of deserved praise of the
discoveries in reference to " Light," recently made
by Professor STOKES—discoveries suggested by the
statement submitted to the Royal Society in 1845 by
Sir JOHN HERSCIIELL, by which it appeared that
light vas capable of being subjected to " epipolic
dispersion," by passing it through a solution of sul-
phate )f quinine. Guided by this singular revela-
tion, Professor STOKES has demonstrated that epipo-
lised light is simply no other than light deprived of
certain invisible rays, which in the process of disper-
sion lave become invisible in consequence of changing
their refrangibility. During the course of this sur-
prisine elucidation, Professor STOKES appears to have
defines an exquisite distinction between cases of
~ f
internal
dispersion " or opalescence, and those
of " rue internal dispersion," or, as he calls it, fluo-
rescace. In consequence of these subtle inquiries,
Colonel SABINE has remarked that " the facility with
whiell the highly refrangible invisible rays of the
spectaimle may be rendered visible by being passed
through a solution of sulphate of quinine or other sen-
sitive medium, affords peculiar advantages for the
study of those rays ; the fixed lines of the invisible
part of the solar spectrum may now be exhibited to
our view at pleasure." The President sub-
secluenty submitted to the consideration of
Section B—or, in other words, to the members
of the " Chemical" department—the advisability
of undertaking the revision of the Equivalent Num-
bers
ofthe Elementary Bodies—a labour, it must be
confessed, about as enormous (but one which we trust
may not be found as apparently interminable) as that
of compling the British Museum Library Catalogue.
That such a revision is much to be desiderated must
be maniest, when it is considered that almost all the
number: now in use are dependent upon experiments
performed at a period " when the methods of re-
search teen known were inadequate"—experiments
for the most part, namely, undertaken by BERZELIUS.
Upon the subject of the Theory of Heat it was re-
marked s little further on by Colonel SABINE, that
several researches which have recently been made
appear t 3 be laying the groundwork for the ultimate
formation of a Mechanical Theory of Chemistry—a
statement which we are in hopes may be very
speedily verified by papers giving mathematical de-
velopments of the hypotheses of heat and electro-
dynamics. A brilliant illustration was thereupon
soon afterwards given by the President of the prac-
tical advantages resulting to the nation at large from
the scientific enterprise of the Association—this tes-
timony having reference to the extension of magnetic
researches throughout the world, at the instance of its
members and under the patronage of her MAJESTY'S
Government. The astounding accumulation of facts
in relation to the force of the magnetic currents
in both hemispheres appears, in truth, to have more
than justified the exultation with which Colonel
SABINE alluded to the new light thereby thrown
upon the results of magnetic observations through the
medium, of course, of the lines of equal horizontal
direction called the isogonic, those of equal vertical
direction called the isoclinal, and those of equal
force called the isodynamic. In consequence of the
satisfaction thereby inspired, the public will be re-
joiced to learn that another enterprise equally compre-
hensive of its kind, and equally, therefore, requiring
the encouragement of Ministers, has lately been sub-
mitted to the consideration of the British Govern-
ment, the originators of the enterprise, however;
being no purely scientific body, but—the Cabinet of
the United States I The project is that of under-
taking a general system of meteorological observa-
tions, to be conducted by the naval service of both
countries under the guidance and approval of their
respective Governments. Such is the remarkable
proposition submitted to the judgment of the English
Cabinet—a proposition which, during the course of
last spring, was referred
(for a Report) to the
Royal Society by the Earl of MALMESBURY, in
his capacity as Foreign Secretary. That Report has
since been transmitted to the Ministry by the
Royal Society, and from its close we
gladly tran-
scribe the following important passages :—" To the
Government of this country the demand for co-
operation and for the interchange of observations is
most earnestly addressed by the Government of the
Unitedßoyal Society express their hope that it will not be
addresseSdtaintevs
a; and the President and Council of the
vain.
We possess in our ships of war,
in our packet service, and in our vast commercial
navy, better means for making such observations,
and a greater interest in the results to which they
lead, .than anyi other nation ; for this purpose every
whichship under the control of the Admiralty
should be furnished
,with instruments properly con-
structSi
em and; compared, and with instructions for
u
similar instructions for making and re-
cording observations, as far as their means will allow,
should be given to every ship that sails, with a request
singt
that they will transmit the results to the Hydro-
graphe•-'s office of the Admiralty, where an adequate
staff of officers or others should be provided for their
prompt examination, and the publication of the im-
proved charts and sailing directions to which they
would above all, it seems desirable to establish
a prompt communication with the Hydrographer's
offieeroomflpetathd the United State, so that the united labours
of the two greatest naval and commercial nations of
the world may be combined, with the least practicable
delay, in promoting the interests of navigation."
A variety of other themes, equally interesting and
equally
valuable in their character, might be parti-
cularisedas having been referred to by Colonel
S
language of unusual elegance and perspi-
cacity, in the course of his masterly inaugural ad-
dressAao
hasNsE been said assuredly in our foregoing re-
m to in
prove the attractive and elevated nature of
the subjects therein brought by that learned and dis-
tinguished
officer under the scrutinizing gaze of the
more gent part of our population. Everything
enre-
marks ki a s President of the British Association. But
considered,
ugh
it will be readily allowed, we imagine,
Address wcs worthy
that theof the cecesion end,
not altogether unworthy, lik •
therefore, n ewise, of
the
translator of the Cosmos of HUMBOLDT.

Eastern Railway Company,
proceedings at the half-
hue
-the proprietors to accept the conditions
half-,early t meetingwill
be
and Chilham
district have resolved to landowners of the StroodYea
1
seen that the
do fe
rEt thr (2.: compel From
South
'Eastern
put on the screw," in or-
put forward in the correspondence to which we di-
rected the public attention on Wednesday last. If
the South-Eastern Company consent to give the re-
quired guarantee of 3 per cent. upon the principal
sum of 600,000/., all will be " serene?' The
Noble Chairman of the Sub-Committee and his
coadjutors will he fully contented ; they
will ask for nothing but
the construction of the
line between these localities, it being, in fact, all that
could be required, or that could, by even
the most
sanguine, be considered to have the most f
-- remote
prospect of proving remunerative. But if the share-
holders hesitate for a moment—if they do
not humbly submit
„ , to the demands of the
" territmial aristocracy, then . war to the knife" is
to be proclaimed, no mercy is to he shown—not
only will application be made to Parliament for
Towers to construct the required line from Strood
to Cbilbam, but also new lines from Strood to Maid-
stone, from Strood to Dover, and from Rczhes-
ter to Gravesend, with traffic arrangements with
the London, Tilbury, and Southend Railway! ! !
This is a new mode of negotiation. These ex-
emplary landowners require additional railway
accommodation, which would materially enhance
the value of the farms situate in the vicinity
of the proposed Lined but, in PlAce of putting ,

their hands in their own pockets, they very coolly
call upon the neighbouring company to bear the en-
tire outlay ; for, as we have already stated, a guarantee
of 3 per cent. by a solvent party, in the present
state of the money market, is to all intents and pur-
poses equivalent to bearing the entire expenditure.
As might reasonably be anticipated, this proposition,
which would entail a loss of 18,0001. per annum on
the company, is demurred to, and forthwith it
is intimated, in the most polite and conciliatory
terms, that a regular opposition will be organized to
compets for the entire conVnental traffic. The beggar
in " Gil Bias," who extorted charity while his gun was
pointed towards his benefactor, had not a more con-
vincing mode of enforcing compliance with his wishes.
But, after all, the threat may not be so very formid-
able—Parliament will no longer sanction what are
termed competing lines, at the instigation of any
man or body of men, however respectable or influen-
tial. It will not render its assistance to divide a
traffic paying only 3 per cent. on the outlay already
incurred, because some hot-headed gentlemen are
displeased at any resistance being offered to their
disinterested efforts at dictation. The very nature of
the alternative offered must ensure the rejection of
any Bills that may be brought forward. GIL BLAS
would not have dropped his " Teals" into the hat of
the military suppliant, if assured that his for-
midable - looking piece would have merely
flashed in the pan. The South-Eastern shareholders
refused to enter into a prejudicial contract under
duresse, and very judiciously left the matter in the
hands of the directors, to be disposed of as they con-
sidered best calculated to promote the true interests
of the company.

The general report (which has already appeared in
our columns) was of a very satisfactory character.
There was an increase of nearly 15,0001. on the first
three months of the year, until the influence of the
Exhibition became perceptible. The falling
off then was only on the through or continental traffic ;
but from and after the 11th of October, the time of
the closing of the Crystal Palace, the receipts will be
greater this year than in the corresponding portion
of 1851. The use of periodical tickets, too, is
steadily increasing, more than 3,5001. additional
having been received from that source during the
present year.

The goods traffic, likewise, is progressive
—the receipts for the half-year being no
less than 5,7021. greater than in 1851, and
13,6231. greater than in 1850; the total improvement
when compared with 1850 being 53,1111. 7s. 5d., or
more than 2,0001. per week. When, however, the
reasonable request of the company is complied with,
and a bonded warehouse established at the London-
bridge terminus, and when the line round Paris con,
netting the southern with the northern rail ways has
been completed, so that the wines of the south
may be transmitted to Boulogne without
change of carriage, there is every reason to
suppose that this traffic will be materially
augmented, more particularly as it is known that the
sea voyage is exceedingly injurious to the lighter
descriptions of French wine.

Some complaints were put forward respecting
the poor-law assessments of railways. We have
always considered that railway companies have just
cause of complaint on that point, and also on the
passenger-tax. They are grievances imperatively
demanding legislative interference, an interfer•
ence which cannot much longer be withheld.
Shareholders would not complain of a direct tax,
to which every other description of accumulated and
realized property would also be liable, but a special
impost of 5 per cent. on the gross receipts from tho
passenger traffic—equivalent to 9 par cent. on the net
earnings from that source, in addition to the ordinary
income-tax, is too bad, savouring strongly of con-
fiscation.

Looking, then, to the changes that must neces-
sarily follow the increased supply of gold
consequent on the Australian and Californian dis-
coveries, whether by the additional stimulus
which a circulating medium, adequate to the
wants and exigencies of the country, would af-
ford to trade and commerce, or by the reduced
rate of interest which would materially
diminish the fixed charges, the prospects of all rail-
way companies appear far more favourable than they
were a few years since, and none are more propitious
than those of the South-Eastern, which, under judi-
cious management, will eventually repay to its share-
holders tha vexations and annoyances of the last few
years.

DEATH OF A CONTEMPORARY OF DR. JOHNSON.—
111 our obituary of last week, we noticed the death of Mrs.
Philip Valiance, late of 32, West-street. This venerable lady,
who had attained her 88th year, had been, during her long
life, a constant resident in Brighton, and was born within
two doors of her late abode. Her father, also a native of
Brighton, was many years a commander in the navy, and
served under Sir Edward Hawke in the memorable battle
with Mons. Conflans, in the year 1759. He lies interred in
Brighton churchyard, with numerous descendants. his
daughter (the deceased), who became a widow in 1825, con-
tinued to reside in her native place, in full possession of
health and strength, until within a few months of her death.
She remembered and often spoke of seeing Dr. Johnson with
Mr. and Mrs. Thrale, promenading the Sterne, as well as the
celebrated and beautiful Lady Sarah Lennox, afterwards
Bunbury, and subsequently Napier. She died in London,
after five days' illness of English cholera, surrounded by her
family, and to all appearance wholly free from pain or
anxiety.—Brighton Guardian.
ANOTHER ACCIDENT BY FIRE•ARMS.--LBSt week,
as the troops of the various depots in garrison at Canterbury
were engaged in a sham-fight in a field near the barracks,
one of the party, belonging to the 6th Foot, while running
with his loaded musket, the weapon by some accident went
off, and wounded him severely in the right arm. 'I he poor
bbeyauty. Her y h
fellow was led off by his comrades to the Militarya Hospital,noter
and it is feared that he will be disabled for life.
THE Kon-i-rioon.—The re-cutting of this gem,
which is unique in its kind, was finished on Tuesday last;
and the expectations of Mr. Fedder, the Jewish artist, who
undertook this responsible task, have been fully realised, and
the misgivings of the scientific gentlemen who questioned
thediamfionnadl
abovesuccess
groundrefuted.i n
It
shape,is unsurpassedlustre,
and
Majesty the Queen inspected the two smaller diamonds
before her departure for Balmoral, and graciously expressed
the high satisfaction she felt at the brilliancy and beauty
given them by the new process. We anticipate that her
satisfaction will be heightened on beholding the' mountain
of light," which is to shed its lustre on the illustrious lady,
who shines gloriously in rank and virtue. We are given to
understand that it will be set either in the crown, or term an
ornament to adorn the Queen. This gem having left the
hands of the artisans employed for the purpose, they have
each received from the hands of their employer, Mr. Garrard,
the Queen's jeweller, a piece of silver, plate, with a model of
the Koh-i-noor in the centre, and bearing the following
inscription :—" Presented by Mr. Garrard to Mr. Fedder
(Mr. Voorzanger) in commemoration of the cutting of the
Koh-i-noor. Commenced the 16th July, and finished the
7th September, 1852."—Jewish Chronicle.
AUSTRIAN FEAR OF THE BIBLE.--A Breslau
journal announces the arrival of a freight of Bibles, ail
under seal, which had been seized by the Austrian Govern-
ment at the Missionary Society's depot, and sent out of the
country.
•

MR- FARREN, THE ACTOR.—We regret to an-
nounce that last night, while engaged in playing in The
Master Passion at the Olympic Theatre, Mr. Farren was
taken suddenly iil, and the piece was consequently stopped;
Mr. Farren hrs greatly rallied.

THE PRINTERS' DRAMATIC SOCIETY.—AD at-
tractive amateur performance is to take place at the Soho
Theatre to-morrow, on which occasion several of the
members of the above society will sustain the principal parts
in the following pieces :—Perfection, Delicate Ground, the
Counti I/ Mouse, and Charles the Second.
The Earl of Lonsdale arrived at Lowther Castle
from London on Friday evening last. The Hon. Colonel
Lowther is also at the castle, where a select party have as-
sembled to enjoy the sports of the field. Captain Lowther,
M.P., of the Guards, and Mrs. Lowther, have arrived at
Whitehaven Castle. The Earl of Essex, his son, and Mr.
William Brougham, have been shooting over Shap Fells, the
property of the Earl of Lonsdale, during the pest week. The
sportsmen are all three excellent shots, and they bagged a
great quantity of game.— Cumberland Pacquet.
CLOSING OF THE TRANSFER BOOKS AT THE BANK
OF ENGLAND AND SOUTH SEA HOUSE.—Yesterday the
transfer books at the Bank of England, for the annuities
due on the 10th of October on the following stocks, were
closed, and will be re-opened on Tuesday, the 19th of Oc-
tober next, viz., Reduced 3/, per Cent. Annuities, Long An-
nuities and Annuities for terms of years, Bank Stock from
this day, the 10th inst., until Tuesday, the 19th October, and
3/. ss. per Cent. Annuities until Wednesday, the 2d of Octo-
ber. At the South Sea House the transfer books for F..)uth
SA Stock will be closed this afternoon until Tuesday, the
19th October proximo.
FIRE AT SWINDON STATiox.--Yesterday morning,
about two o'clock, after the departure of the up-mall train,
and at a time when all the servants and domestics belonging
to the establishment of the Queen's Royal Hotel and refresh-
ment rooms had retired to rest, a fire was discovered in the
linen-room, on the north side of the building, which created
the greatest alarm and consternation, end which, but for its"
timely detection, and the promptitude and presence of mind
displayed by Mr. Phillip:, the proprietor, must have ended
in the total destruction of at least that side of the building.
The fire was first discovered by a young lady of the esta-
blishment whose bed-room was opposite the linen-room,
,
and whowas aroused by a crackling noise and a smell of
smoke. She instantly gave en ale7m, and on Mr. Phillips
proceeding to the spot he found the room in a blaze
• By
the adoption of timely precautions the flames were extin-
gaished, and the total damage milt not exceed 100/.
Wiltshire Mirror.
The King of Belgium has conferred the order of
Leopold, with the civil decoration, upon Sir Hung De la
Beche, of the Geological Survey-°ffice, 'of London, es a
public testimony of his Majesty's esteem and satisfaction for
the eminent services rendered by him ,w „
meow; mid ialiletblU PublicAtima. geology by bit 3 Du-