The Sun.
London, England, 1852-09-04 00:00:00

• LIF 7.1
SEPTEMBER 4) 1.852.
N° 18 707.] LONDON, SATURDAY ‘,
• ".7,:r743, ..".,„,v.k 71. .
,
cuz

PARIS EXCURSIONS.
Just Published, an entirely New and Corrected Edition of
GALIGrNANI'S GUIDE TO PARIS ;
With a Map avid Plates.
Price 10s. 6d. bound ; may be had withotit the Plates, Is. 6d. bd.
London : Simpkin, Marshall, and Co.

United States, On the physical structures of the great
Appalachian chain, as exemplifying the laws which
have regulated the elevation of great mountain chains
generally ; and the Rev. P. B, Brodie made known
to us the discovery of insect remains in the lower beds
of the liar, evidence of their having existed at an
epoch far anterior in geological time to that which our
observations bad previously recorded.
At the Cock meeting in 1843, the committee np-
pointed in 1840 to revise the nomenclature of the
stars made their report, and a valuable catalogue was
~übsequently undersken and published at the expense
of the association. Robert Hunt gave the result of
his experiments on the influence of light on the vege-
table kingdom. Mr- Paxton described the aPPlica'
don of hydrodynamics to ornamental purposes in the
great fountains at Chatsworth ; and Lucas called at-
tention to the alteration that takes place in iron from
continued vibration—the whole mass changing from a
fibrous or granular to a crystalline tsxture, and than
occoming far more brittle, and liable to be affected by
concussion. Ethnology and Ethnography were in-
by
of the Esquituaux
describedcro d uced m
bo ycuriousHodgkin
features
and R. G. Latham, who
and of the Australian race and language, and who, at
one of the subsequent meetings, continued the sub-
ject in reference to the Chinese and Indo-Chinese
nations.

BRITISH ASSOCIATION FOR THE AD
VANCEMENT OF SCIENCE.
BELFAST, SEPT. I.—On the morning of Septem
ber 27, 1831, the theatre of the Yorkshire Museum
was filled by an assemblage of more than 300 persons,
including many distinguished members of learned and
scientific bodies in different parts of the kingdom, who
were collected together in consequence of a general
invitation to the friends of science, issued by the
Yorkshire Philosophical Society. Lord Milton, the
president of the society, was called to the chair, and in
his address to the meeting gave the details of the
working of the Yorkshire Society, which had then
been established for eight years, and had origi-
nated in the interest taken in the curious
discoveries in Kirkdale. So much benefit had
had resulted from the free interchange of knowledge
due to fixed general meetings of those interested in
the same objects, that the society felt the time had
arrived to lay their scheme for a wider basis before
the various scientific bodies of the kingdom, and to
claim their aid in the formation of a society whose
area and whose objects should not be confined by the
limits of a single county. The President was fol-
lowed by the Reverend W. Vernon Harcourt, Vice-
President and Chairman of the Cemmittee of
management, who stated that the object of the pro-
posed society was "to give a stronger impetus and
more systematic direction to scientific inquiry ; to ob-
tain a greater degree of national attention to the ob-
jects of science, and a removal of those disadvan-
tages which impede its progress; and also to promote
the intercourse of the cultivators of science with one
another, and with foreign philosophers." Thus origi-
nated the Association for the Advancement of
Science, whose 22d annual meeting is about to be
held iu this city during the week commencing with
the let of September. The past meetings have, by
a judicious regulation of the society, been held at
various important places throughout the country, with
a view to make known its existence and objects, and
to extend its operations as much as possible. Our
great Universities have been both visited twice—Ox
ford in 1832 and 1847, and Cambridge is 1833 and
1845 ; and the association has held meetings in the
seaports of Liverpool, Bristol, and Plymouth, and in
the manufacturing districts of Manchester, Birming-
ham, and Newcastle. In Scotland three of the annual
meetings have taken place—at Edinburgh in 1834 and
1850, and at Glasgow in 1840. Ireland has already
received the association twice—at Dublin in 1835, an a
at Cork in 1843. The ensuing meeting in this:city will
be the third, and bids fair ;to rival the preceding
ones, both in numbers and in' the importance of the
communications to the different sections. In the list
of annual presidents may be seen the names of some
of the most eminent men of science, and also of no-
blemen who have distinguished themselves from their
order by their love fur and prosecution of scientific
pursuits. Of these too rare instances, we have
pleasure in giving the names of the Duke of North-
umberland, the Marquises of Lansdowne, North-
ampton, Burlington, and Breadalbane, the Earl of
Rose, Viscount Milton, and Lord Francis Egerton,
now Earl of Ellesmere. The number of members,
which at the York meeting in 1831 amounted to
353, has reached as many as 2,500 at the Newcastle
meeting in 1833—since which time, owing princi-
pally to the meetings of other societies which have
emanated from this being held about the same time,
the numbers have decreased, and are now consider-
ably influenced both by the locality and by the time
of the year at which the meeting takes place. Not-
withstanding
the important centres in which the
association has met in successive years, the
number of persons who have attended its
meetings, and the favour with which it
has been regarded by the scientific world, it is evident
that the public generally possess but a limited ac-
quaintance with its objects, and that thousands are
daily enjoying the benefits resulting from it, without
even knowing the existence of the source from whence
they are derived. If we take a short review of the
past transactions of the association we shall find that
some of the most important advances, both in the
exact and natural sciences, have been made under the
auspices, and frequently through th© direct instru-
mentality, of the society. One of the first of its ob-
jects was to assist in the prosecution of scientific in-
quiry by the formation of committees, to which a cer-
tain sum of money was voted for the special object of
their duties. In this way many thousand pounds
have been disbursed, and many important questions
solved, which probably, owing to their complex
nature, and the time, care, and actual outlay involved,
would not other wise have been investigated. From
the earliest meetings many distinguished foreigners
have attended personally, and others have ably
represented the science of their respective coun-
tries by the valuable papers they have con-
tributed to the objects of the association. Among
these may be seen the names of Agassiz, Arago,
Bunsen, De la Rive, Dove, Dumas, Milne, Edwards,
Ehrenberg, Enclsi, Forchammer, Humboldt, Jacobi,
Liebig, Matteucci, Nilssen, Orated, Quetelet, Rogers,
Sbutnacker, Struve, Schonbein, and many others
equally distinguished in their several departments,
but whose names are less familiar to the public gene-
rally. At the Edinburgh meeting, in 1834, Professor
S. D. Rogers, of the United States, contributed a
valuable report on the geology of North America.
In the same year Scott Russell communicated a no-
tice of the reduction of an anomalous fact in hydro-
namics, and of a new law of the resistance of fluids
to the motion of floating bodies. This led to the
organization of a special committee to investigate the
form of ships, a report of which was read at the Ply-
mouth meeting in 1841. Public attention has been
recently drawn to the " wave principle ; and proba-
bly, now that its advantages have been practically
demonstrated by another country, we shalt be more
ready to carry out a principle, the theory of which is
duo to our own. Luke Howard gave some valuable
data in reference to our climate, and Lord
Fitz william called attention to the import-
ance of statistical reports regarding agricul-
ture, which was confirmed by G. R. Porter, at the
Birmingham meeting in 1839, in his "suggestions in
favour of a systematic collection of the statistics of
agriculture." This is a want which is now more than
ever felt, but which can only be supplied by the
machinery of a Government. At the next meeting
another illustrious foreigner (Agassiz) made known
his views on the principles of classification of the
animal kingdom. At the Bristol meeting, in 1836,
Eaton Hodgkinson published his experiments on the
relative strength and other mechanical properties of
cast-iron obtained by hot and cold blast, by which it
was shown that the hot blast was produced at a far
less cost, and yet, for general purposes, was not in-
ferior to the cold blast; indeed, the average results of
the trials give a superiority of the hot blast ever the
cold blast in the proportion of 1,024 to 1,000. The
statistics of the iron trade speedily showed the effect
of this discovery. The meeting at Newcastle was re-
markable, not less for the numbers that attended it
than for the nature and importance of the subjects
stillo f
GfrAmongfollowing
Great
wB theirnitge
as
ieun
up the
brought before it.
jl
eedet
bo notice
Colonelhthisem magnetic g
Sabine,n
researches, e t ic shllawrsVheaoyi
compiled
ommaopy
object
the ensuing meeting some very remarkable pheno-
mena, probably intimately connected with magnetism,
to make known to the scientific world.
The first report by Mallet on the instance of water,
either fresh or salt, on both cast and wrought iron
was also read; and Wheatstone, in demonstrating the
principles of binocular vision, first told us of an in-
strument he had adapted for illustrating its pheno-
mena, to which he gave the name of " stereoscope,"
and with which we have only quite recently been
made familiar. The use and advantages of wire ropes
for mining purposes was advocated by Count Breun-
ner, and Ehrenberg made known to us some of his
beautiful and interesting microscopic discoveries. At
the ninth meeting the zoology of - our country was
importantly advanced by Owen's first report on
British reptiles, and by a communication from Ed-
ward Forbes " on the distribution of pulmoniserous
mollusca in the British isles," who subsequently, un-
der the auspices of the association, undertook the in-
vestigation of British marine zoology, and gave the
first report of his valuable researches at the Swansea
meeting in 1848. Grove's voltaic battery was first
made known at this meeting; while communications
of a more directly practical tendency were made by
Fox Talbot, on photographic processes ; by
Gossege, on the disc (a rotatory) engine .
and by Eaton Hodgkinson, on experimental
researches into the crushing points of dif-
ferent woods. The tenth meeting was held at
Glasgow, at which some statistical papers created
much interest, and tended greatly to establish that
department as a distinct branch of political science,
The papers generally had reference to local subjects,
and Dr. Chalmers, in a communication, explained
the application of statistics to moral and economic
science. The first reports on the farina of Ireland,
by the late W. Thompson (of this city), and of the
committee appointed to experiment on the growth
and vitality of seeds, both undertaben at the instance
of the association, was read. Murchison and De
Verneuil gave us much valuable information respect-
ing the geological formation of Lorth and Central
Russia; while Agassiz and James Forbes, by their
respective communications, added greatly to our
knowledge of the glaciers and boulders of Switzer-
land. The following year produced an important
paper by rtofenora W. tvad H. w. Aogers, of the

SECTION C.-GEOLOGY.

President—Lieutenant-Colonel Pertlock, F.R.S.
Vice-Presidents—Richard Griffith, F.G.S.; the 11,ov.
Professor Sedgwick, F.G.S.; Sir H. T. De 13 Beche;
F,R.S.; Mr. James Smith, F.G.S.
Secretaries—James Bryce, F.G.S.; James M'At-larn,
F.G.S.; Professor M'C3y, F.G.S.; and Professor Nicoll,

SECTION D.-200LrGY AND BOTANY, INCLUDING
PiIYSIrS,LOGY.
• President—Mr. W. 04ilby.
Vice-Presidents—Professor Allman, Professor \Valli er
Arnott, Dr. Robert Ball, Professor E. Forbes, Mr. A.
aalliday, tad Professor Owen.
Sccretarie3 --Mr. Cr. C. Llyndrnan, Mr. Edward Lan-
kester. F.R.S.; and Dr. Diekie.

SECTION E.—CIECGRAPHY AND ETTINOV-:GY.
President----Colonel Chosney, R.&., D.O.L , F.R.S.
Vice-Presidents—Captain Fitzroy, R.N.; Dr. R.. G.
Lethern, F.R.S.; Sir R. L Murchi,2en, G.C.; Sir JULI2CS
C. Ross, F.R S.
London; Mr. Robert M'Adam; .Nor-
Secretaries—Mr. Richard Cali. Secretary of the Eth.
,Sle.il7,'Assistant Secretary to the Royal Goo-
SECTION E—STATISTICS.
President—His Grace the Archbishop of Dublin.
Vice-Presidents—Lord Dufforin; Mr. Mountiford
gtuor°Lal°ptlilii3cas:ll Society, London.
Longfield, Q.C., LL.D.; Major Thomas A. Larcotn,
R.E ; Lieutenant-Colonel Sykes, F.R.S.; Mr. Valentine

Whitla.
Secretaries—Prefessor Hancock, LL.D.; Mr. James
M'Adam, jun.; Mr. F. G. P. Nelson.
SECTION G.—MECHANICAL SCIENCE.
President—Mr. James Walker, C.E., F.R.S.Ia and C.
Vice-Presidents—William Riirbarn, C.E.; Mr. John
Godwin. C.E ; Mr. C. Lanyon, C.E.; Mr. Alexander
Mitchell, C.E.
Secretaries—Mr. John Bateman, Mr. Charles B. Hans
cock, Mr. Charles Manby, Sec. Soo. C.E.; Mr. James
Thomson, C.E. •
The inaugural address of the President,- Colonel 1
Sabine, was delivered ate evening meeting, held
in Dr:Coolie's Church, in May-street. Tne ample
area of the building was tolerably well filled, probably
about 1,000 people being beneath its roof, the Lord-
Lieutenant, the Esrl of .Eglintoun and his suite, with
most of the leading men of the city and of the sur-
rounding districts joining in the proceed-
ings. The meeting was opened by Sir R. Murchison,
who, in his representative capacity, took the chair,
and in an eulogistic speech, based upon a quotation
from a letter of the Astronomer Royal, relating to
his successor, of whom be said, " the association is to
be represented by one of its most faithful friends, who
has efficiently conducted the real business of the body
and whose public character so well befits the public
representation of the British Association for the Ad-
vancement of Science," introduced the President
elect to the meeting. Colonel Sabine then read his
address, which occupied about an hour and a half in
expressing his thanks for the honour
delivery, and was we received by the assembly. He
commenced by
the association had conferred upon him in electing
him as their president, and then referred to the diffi-
culty he has felt in selecting matter for his remarks,
from the variety of subjects coming directly within
the scope of the association, it being quite impos-
sible to pay that attention to them all equally which
their respective merits might demand. He had there-
fore been guided by a practical principle, suited to a
body in which the presidency was an annual election ;
viz , that he should notice by preference those subjects
with which he was most familiar, in which the asso-
ciation, as a body, had taken part, or which were
likely to be discussed at the meeting over which he
was called to preside. The first point alluded to was
the consideration as to whether the time had not ar-
rived for again urging upon the Government the es-
iisnpgilemreir,rors,
tablishment of an observatory in the southern hemis-
phere for the examination of the nebulae of the
areisfoerirnedretf(e)
southern heavens. The labours of Lord Rosse were
and
reference regardsce t o h
which removes many of the obstacles which have so
long stood in the way of the proposed establishment.
In speaking of the advisability of a renewed applica-
istispelannofrotrherrnepahleismh
tion to Government, the President observed, that all
applications from the association were entitled to re-
spect, inasmuch as they emanated not from an indivi-
dual but from an important body, and were the result
of mature deliberation; and, therefore, when they had
been resolved upon, it was important that public bodies
should be true to their own convictions, and should
steadily persevere in urging on all proper occasions,
both publicly and privately, the measures which they
believed would add to their country's honour, as well
as to that general advancement of science
by which
all nations benefitted freely and alike in proportion to
their degree of mental cultivation. Continuing the
subject of astronomy the President referred to the
two establishments of Armagh and M arkree, and
the important publications
now in progress of
their labours,—viz., the
Ili arkree Catalogue of Eclip-
tic Stars, and the Results of the
Observations at
Armagh Observatory. A lengthenedallusion
then made to the remarkable discovery byProfessorwas
Stokes of the change which, under.
rr certainli circum-
stances, is effected in the refran •b
gi 1 ity of h His
researches took their • • origin from an unexplained phe-
nomenon, discovered by
Herschel in 1845, who found
that a solution of sulphate of quinine viewed by trans-
mitted light appeare
quite colourless, but if viewed by
reflected light exhibiteda vivid blue colour, which was
proved by him to result
from the action of the strata
which the light first penetrates
on entering the solu-
tion ; and the dispersion of light producing it he termed
tc Epipolic dispersion," from the circumstance that it
takes place near the surf ace by which the light enters.
In speculating upon the possible nature of " epipo-
lized light," Professor Stokes was led to conclude
that it could only -
b e light which had been deprived of
certain invisible rays, which, in
the process of disper-
sion, had changed their
The truth
and had thereby
become visible.
and surprising as
it
ate of this supposition, novel
con-
firmed by a series of simple first adpeared, has been
liaknd decisive experiments,
and Professor Stokes has ewise traced this prin-
ciple through a great ran
and has defined a clear ge of analogous phenomena,
~distinctionor,, between " cases of
false internal dispersionopalescence," in which
the luminous rays are simply'
par-
ticles held in mechanical solution reflected from fine
in the medium, and
those of " true internal dispersion,". or " fluores-
cence," as he has termed it. The President next

At the fifteenth meeting Sella te ;
es
- --a-n made known to
us the existence of ozone, a mysterious agent which
appears to play a very important part in the economy of
the entire organic kingdom. Bunsen And Lyon Play-
fair gave a report on the glass evolved from iron fur-
naces with reference to the theory of smelting iron,
by which it was shown that a saving
might be effected
per cent. on the
BOY astonished and
assembled sawn* akey his experimental
extent of
ordinaryfrom ufisfet.y to eighty
.delightedt o
processesthe e
the
of water in red
illustrations
of bodies, -
andhis
otnh etobrey
freezingr es p e lib g the spheroidal
hot vessels; and Armstrong added to our knowledge
of sources of electricity by the introduction of his
powerful hydro-electric machine. Gutta percha,
that curious condition of caoutchouc whose uses
and appliances are each day increasing in impor-
tance, was here made known to the public by Solly ;
while Henslow rendered an equally important
service to all connected with land
by publishing
his paper on the phosphatic nodules, apparently co-
prolific, from the Red Crag. The Southampton
meeting, in 1846, produced some valuable additions
to our knowledge of applied science, among
which
were the communications by Percy on crystalline
Gags; by Schunk, on the colouring principles of
madder ; and by Grove, on the decomposition of water
by heat. Fauvelle explained to us his new method of
boring for ertesian wells, especially applicable to great
depths; and Fairbairn and Hodgkinson, respectively,
gave their reports of experiments on the tubular bridge
proposed by Stephenson for crossing the Menai Straits.
Ilse remerkable action of sulphur on caoutchouc,
forming the substance called " vulcanized India rub-
ber," was described by Brockedon ; and the no less
curious substance, gun cotton, was first exhibited at
this meeting by SChriabein.
have
eeir respec-
tive continued
their
subjects. Ethnology and philology have received
The succeeding meetings have been too recently
before us to call for any particular remarks more than
thatir
rtehpeosretvseuraplonthe advances
special
committees
considerable additions from the researches of Latham,
Bunsen, Pritchard, and Hodgkin, while, of course,
several other important matters have occupied the at-
tention of the different sections. Such are a few of
the more prominent communications which have di-
rectly aided in the development of the scientific re-
sources of the country, and in the advancement of
general civilization. Others of the highest value to
different branches of science have been made, but in
most cases their bearing is not sufficiently 1 1,1 f
pa•paa,e to
excite the interest of the general reader. Oa the
present occasion, invited to the centre of academic
instruction and commercial industry in the north of
Ireland, the association will assemble in a district
full of natural beauty, rich in geological
phenomena, and offering many attractions to the
naturalist and facts of importance to statistics
and ethnology. Among the numerous contributors
to the transactions may be seen the names of many
whose first connexion with the association is due to
the visit to their respective localities ; they were thus
induced to attend the meetings, the advantages of
science and of habits of observation, even in minute
matters, were clearly perceived, and the result has
been that their names are now permanently inscribed
on the pages of the association whose meeting they
had previously attended as casual visitors. From the
education anti energy of the inhabitants of Belfast,
we may fairly expect that the ensuing meeting will
add to their numbers. Never was a time more aus-
picious. The result of our great industrial challenge
in the past year must Lave dispelled an a_greAt. mea-
sure the false estimation we had placed upon our-
selves; it showed us clearly that on points in which
we thought ourselves strongest other nations were
progressing far more rapidly than we were, and
would speedily overtake us ; that human skill and
appliances were rapidly levelling
the barriers which
nature had placed between us; and that in future the
most important struggle between nations will be an
industrial one—a struggle of intellect. We have
lost much already by our careless ministration of the
natural gifts intrusted to us ; the lesson we received
laet year, at our asking, should not be unheeded by
us, but should show us not only the advantages/ but
the necessity, of giving our warm support to science
and its various applications.
The business of the Association was commenced
this day by the meeting of the general committee,
which was held in Queen's College at one raa , at
which the minutes of the last meeting at Ipswich were
read and confirmed, the report of the proceedings of
the council during the
e past year received, and the
various arrangements 'or the ensuing meeting dis-
cutsed and determined. Sir It. Murchison took the
chair, as the representative of the Astronomer ItaYal'
having been requested by hint to explain the cause of
his inability to attend, and render an account of his
presidency in person. The assistant general secretary,
Professor Phillips, F.R.S., then read the minutes of the
last meeting, and the general secretary, professor
Forbes Royle, F.R.S., gave the details of the transac-
tions of the council during the intermediate period.
These transactions had reference chiefly to the suc-
cessful applications for grants from the Government
and Ent India Company to aid in the publication
of scentific works by Drs. Rooker and Thomp-
son, Messrs. Huxley, Strachey, and Winterbo -
thane ; and to the representations made by them to
the Government respecting the importance of sending
out ships to extend our acquaintance with the pheno-
mena
of the tides of the Atlantic Ocean. An exp
nation was given in reference to some importantba-
sectional recommendations of last year, which had
.n.,
to be ' .
not reached the committee sufficiently early
and their
eluded in their re t • the • s
or t; several section
• ted • the
officers for the present meeting were sop'
'• n 'tided
names of several distinguished foreigners were. a .
to the list ofcorresponding d invitations
members; ite
for future reported
meetings of the association were t Leeds.
from and
tthe
Hull, Liverpool, Brighton, Glasgow,
Some details were given of the proceedings at
e for
establishment at Kew, and of the Orogn' n taken
the balloon ascents two of which have already
place, and will form the s • übect of a paper in one of
f the treasurer's
the sections.auditor's report 0
The a eis showed a
account for the st 12 months, balancewhich
in n read and
hand of 2371. 9s. lid , was then
to a
close
Passed, and the business was then
brought read by
mittee,
h
b 7 a report of the Parliamentary tom
are embo-
Colonel Sabine, the particulars of whic
died in his address. officers of the
Ties following are the names of the
alffinls of the
association for the present year, andt ealenven, A.M,
presidents of sections, which will meet a
by the kindness
each day in Queen's College, where, -,,
ample accommoda-
and consideration of the council,
tion has been provided for them all. A VP. and
President—Colonel Edward Sabine, R. 9 • t
Trees, Res,
Vice-Presidents—Sir Henry P. De Is Bsche, F.R.S.,
the Rev. Edward
Sac.; the Earl of Enniskillen, F.R.S;
of Queens College,
Iliabt,ekt, D.D., the Presient
Belfast; the Rev.' T. R. Robinson, D•Da Pres. RI-A-;
the Earl of Itoss, Pres. R.S ;Professor Stevelly, LLD.;
Professor Stokes, 'ILA , YRS' s-, '
General Secretary—.J. Forbes eeope,
Phillips,
M.D., F.R.S.
John Esq.,
Assistant General Secretary--
P.n.s.
General Treasurer—John Taylor, Esq., F •R.S .
Alien, Esq.; W. Itit'Ghee,
Local Secretaries—W. J. C.
,2e1.D.; Professor Wilson, M'A'
Local Treasurer—Robert Patterson, Esq.
OFFICERS AND COMMITTEES OF THE SEVERAL
SECTIONS'
AND PHYSICAL SCIENCE.
SECTION A. MATHEMATICAL
Thomson, M.A., F.R.S.L.
President—Professor Win.
and ie.
Vice-Pee 1 t jC• Adams' sit en s— • C.F.R.S.; Sir David
Br-
(-water, Rea F.R.S.; the Right• Hon. Dr. Denvir;
Sir W. R yr
-- eiam"ilton, Astronomer Royal for Ireland; the
Rev. Dr. Lloyd, F.R.S. and Professor Stokes.
Secretaries W. .J. LT. . Rankine ; John Tyndall, Ph.
D.; Professor Dixon, F.T.c.D.; and Professor Stevelly.
SECTION E CHEMICAL SCIENCE.
President—Thomas Andrews, M.D., F.R.S.
Apjohn," M.R.1.A.; Pro-
Vice- Presidents—Professor
Lessor Connell, F.R.S.; Professor Faraday, F.R.S.; and
Professor Graham, lt.S. ye eees Prnf"
Secretaries—Professor ,a0u5.., .. v''''Ogr ROAaldF,
DA Gladstone.

alluded to the importance of a revision of the equiva
lent numbers of the elementary bodies, which he fel
sure would be taken into consideration by the Che
mical Section, over which such a distinguished
chemist as Dr. Andrews presides. The important
researches on heat by Professor J. Forbes, by Mr.
Joule, and Mr. Hopkins, were noticed, which were
constituting a groundwork for the ultimate formation
of a mechanical theory of chemistry. The details of
the part taken by the President himself in working
out those important questions on terrestrial mag-
netism with which his name is so honourably con-
nected were given as briefly as possible consistent
with the proper explanation of the subject, and the
share which others took in the work. He then stated,
that as regards the figure and dimensions of the
globe, evidence exists that it was well known at a
very ancient period, and that in modern times the
merit of resuming the investigation is due to the
French nation, by whom an arc of the meridian be-
tween Formentaria and Dunkirk was measured to-
wards the close of the last century. The Trigono-
metrical survey of Great Britain, commenced for the
specific object of connecting the observatories of
Greenwich and Yaris, was speedily expanded into an
undertaking of more scientific, as well as topographi-
cai importance, having on the one hand the formation
of correct maps of Great Britain, and on the
other the measurement of an arc of the meridian,
having the extreme northern and southern extremi-
ties of the island for its terminations. A portion of
this arc, amounting to 2 deg. 50 min. from Dunnose,
in the Isle of Wight, to Clifton, in Yorkshire, was
published in 1803. As the whole arc from Dunnose
to Unst and Baits, the most northern of the Shetland
Isles, would comprise more than 10 degrees, and as
nearly half a century had elapsed since the
and pub-
lished,f erorm ptohretionsssohcaid been
association
atcomthpleetedßirming
ham
meeting in 1849 passed a resolution that
a deputation should confer with the Master-General
unexampled
It
nrarpigidinitayte, danind
to ea
an
of the Ordnance on the subject. This had the effect
of accelerating the work,which is now in active progress.
The great arc of Eastern Europe has been in the
meantime advancing
hitherto
unparalleled. e
extent
topographical surveys in Eithonia and Livonia, and
was commenced in 1816. The operations, both geo-
mn
desical and astronomical, have been completed be-
tween Ismail, on the Danube, and Fugleness, in
Finnmarken, an extent of 25 1.3 d meridional degrees.
The next in extent is the Indian arc of 21 deg. 21
minutes between Cape Comorin and Naliau,;;f
and the third is the French arc already referred the;
hope
12 deg. 22 min. The President expressed .s
that the Government would speedily
undertake the
coasts of
determination of the tide-wave along the
tidal
Africa and South America by an Atlan.t_lregona which
expe-
dition, in accordance with the ooron3u,ani.°o:37 He then
had been made to them by the association'
referred
of the
referred to the important continuation
temperature at
re-
searches of Professor Dove on the
at some length on
the surface of the globe, and spike
the proposition which had been made by the Govern-
ment of the United States for the co-operation of this
country in a system of meteorological observations to
be made at sea by all ships in the naval service of

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[PRICE SD.

the two countries, and sufficiently simple to be para.
cipated in by the merchant service also. The reqa€st
for British co-operation in an undertaking so ho-
noura'o:,e to the country in which it originated was
referro3 by the Foreign Secretary to the President
and Council of the Royal Society for their Opinion,
the concluding. sentence of which is now given, in
the persuasion that it will find au echo in every part
of the •Jongdow, and that it cannot fail to be promptly
act(-d upon by the Government of a country in which
maritime interests hold so prominent a place :

" To the Government of this country the demand f.-:r
co-operation and for the interchange of observations is
11105 t ets.vnu.ntly addressed by the Government of the
United States; are; the Pr,sitient and CouLeil of the
Royal Society express their hope that it will not he ad-
dr,„ea in vain. We possess in our ships of war, in our
packot Ferviel, and in our vast commercial navy, better
Int,iTta t.' it making such chservations and a greater inte-
rest in the results to which they lead than any (i=her
nation; for this purpose every snip which is under the
control .7,1 the Admiralty should be furnished with in-
struments properly constructed and cmpared, and with
proper iastrustions for using them; similar instruction ior
musing end recording observations, es far as their means
will 5110,V should be given to every ship that sails, v,itb a
request that they will transmit the results to the Hydro-
grapher's-offiee at the Admiralty, where an adequate staff
of officers or others should be provided fur their prompt
exam ina
tion, and the publication of the improved
charts and sailing directions to which they woad lead;
above all, it seems desirable to establish a prompt com-
munication with the Hydrographer's office of the United
States, so that the united labours of the two greatest
naval and commercial nations of the world may be com-
bined, with the least practicable delay, in promoting the
interests of navigation."
The President then made an allusion to the in-
creased chances of a communication existing between
the Atlantic .and Polar—QatrapszAti3 . w,B stritite„.
-through the discoveries due to the hardihood and in-
trepidity of our merchant seamen ' • and expressed his
belief in the advantages likely to accrue from the
expedition dispatched under Sir E. Belcher, to follow
up the discovered traces of Sir John Franklia%,
vessels.

The next subject of importance referred to was the
result of the Parliamentary Committee on Pensions
to Scientific Persons, by which it appears that elasi-ons
the sum granted annually in recompense of civil se.-_
of
vices, chiefly, though not exclusively, in literaturee
and science, only about one-eighth of the whole
amount, or 13 per cent., had been allotted to scientific
recipients. The committee thought it proper to bring
the subject under the notice of the Treasury, and a
satisfactory change has been recorded, as during the
past year pensions have been granted, at the instance
of the President of the Royal Society, to Mr. Hind,
who has the unique distinction of being the dis-
coverer of no less than six out of the twenty-five
planets; to Dr. Mantel!, so well known as 11
palmontologist ; and to Mr. Ronalds, for the
electrical and kindred researches in which he has
been engaged for so many years past—pensions in-
volving in their aggregate an amount equal to one•
third of the whole grant. The President notified
that our Government had acceded to the request made
by the United States Government, that scientific pub-
lications for the purpose of presentation should be ad-
mitted duty free, conditionally that they should pass
through the Royal Society. This concession, so im•
peratively demanded for the advance of science, was
speedily followed by a remittance from the United
States, which was of such magnitude as to amount to
three tons in weight. He concluded his able address
by some observations of the advisability of science
being more directly represented in Parliament—a
question which had been mooted, but to which he
could not give his support.
The active business of the meeting commences to-
morrow, the committees of the several sections meet-
ing at 10, the rooms opening for members at 11
o'clock.

NAVAL IN TELLICrENCE.
PORTSMOUTII, FRIDAY.--Highflyer, 21, Captain
Matson, came into harbour under steam this morning,
and was afterwards brought into the Angle Deck.
We understand that she will have three feet added tc
her lower masts and three feet taken off her top-
masts. She is very stiff under sail, and sails well.
The only ship in the squadron that beats berin
is the Phaeton. We trust that the Highflyer will
prove the firzt of a fleet of superior men of war, de-
signed by the gallant surveyor of the Navy, Sic
Baldwin Walker, and his assistants,, Messrs. Ed.;
and Watts, on whom the performances of the vessel
.effect great credit.
Dauntless, 24, will come into harbour this even-
ing►, and into the North Dock to-morrow, from
whence the Collingwood, 80, has been moved to-day
to make room for her. _ _

A very splendid and magnificent frigate-built East
India ship, the Blenheim, Captain Close, one of
Smith's fleet, arrived at Spithead, to embark her
passengers, this morning. She is 1,660 tons burden,
pierced for 48 guns, and of sufficient strength to
carry that number along 32 •pounders. She is a re•
markable man-of-war looking craft, built of teak upon
the lines of her Majesty's screw guard-ship Blenheim,
of 56 guns, new stationed at Portsmouth. She is
reported to be a very fast sailing Vessel. Every berth
on board is
engaged, and she could have filled many
more cabins had she had them. Her passengers, 45
in number, embark this evening, and she sails to.
morrow at daylight. It is satisfactory to see such a fine
ship, and one so easily made available for war pur-
poses, iii the mercantile marine. This fine ship takes
out, amongst others, a number of military gentlemen,
&c., of the Hon. East India Company.'e service. Cap-
tain Edmund D. Byng (son of Admiral the Hon. H.
D. Being), for several years A.D.C. to General Sir
Charles Napier in India, Mrs• Byng, Lieutenant
Gleig, Mrs. Gleig, and sister, See., will embark on
board her this evening, for passage to Bengal.
Toe Blenheim anchored at eleven o'clock, and so
man-of-war like is the cut of her sails and her rig that
the demand for her number was kept flying by the
Victory and the steamers at Spithead till she anchored.
She was taken for the Mxander, which is expected at
Spithead from Chatham.
The Termagant, 24, screw-frigate, Captain G.
Giffard, went out of harbour yesterday morning to
try her speed, which was upwards of nine knots an
hour.
The Inflexible, 6, paddle-sloop, Commander Wole
rige, went out to Spithead this morning ready for sea
and to await orders.
The Arrogant, 4G, Captain Robinson, will come
into harbour to-morrow, to go direct into the steam-
basin to be docked on the 15th and have her defects
made good.
DRYONPORT, SEPT. 2.—Equestrian convict-ship,
sailed yesterday with 294 convicts, for Hobart Town.
Argus steamer returned from Portsmouth this day
at noon.
Hogue was commissioned yesterday by Captain
Ramsay. Most of the officers have taken up their
commissions for her.
SHEERNESS, FRIDAY—Her Majesty's ship A
der, 44, Commodore Charles Talbot, had lazan-
com-
passes adjusted on Wednesday, and her
proceeded to the
Little Nora yesterday forenoon, in tow of the Lizard
and African steamers. The Mer will there take
mand
in her powder, and proceed shortly
Her Majesty's ship Daring, ento Spithead.
G. Napier (1849), has be en -, Commander Gerard
taken out of dock at
Chatham, and placed alongside
complete her fittings for foreign service.
the Hussar hulk to
Iler mateetje. ehia w
from the dry dock 'at ellesle7, 72, has been removed
Chatham, navies ...le/see`
considerable repairs.
Her Blajesty's ship Hercules, 72, is ordered to be
docked for
the purpose of being fitted for the convey-
ance of emigrants to Australia.
H,,
-r Majesty's ship Bittern, 12, Commander Van-
sittart, i
's setting up her lower riggiog, but appears
to be getting on slowly with her
equrienned by the
Her Majesty's ship Kangaroo, 1121;..
egSymonds) was
late Surveyor of the Navy (Sir
, in the presence
launched on Tuesday,
,at Chrhpaewctators. The inte-
of a numerous assemblage of spectators.
performed by the
resting ceremony of christeni 8
ommandant of the gar-
wife of Colonel Beresford, c
gar-
rison. 's iron screw steam troop-ship Me-
Her Majesty a
ea nder John Johnson, bas still several
gwra, 6,
kCoartird
artificers at work on her. On taking
of the doe
oyings
on her return from her trial cruise
up he
ino r
e she carried away her port cathead. She
to the Mouse
will be readyproceed to snit about ten
to _ i days, and
it is stated will embark 200 artillerymen for service
at Barbadoes.
Dlr. Sharp, Master's-Assistant of her Majesty's ship
London, 90, passed his examination in seamanship on
board the Waterloo flag-ship on Tuesday, receiving
a first-class certificate of competency.
The captain and officers of her Majesty's ship
London, 90, gave a ball on hoard on the evening 0-i
the 30th nit., at which were present Commodore-
thf-
Hon. Montague Stopford and family, the officers
of
the ships in punt and of the garrison, and
a numerous
assemblage of fashionables, amounting in all to
one
hundred persons. Dancing commenced at 10
and was kept up with much spirit until daylight,i"
when the party dispersed, highly gratified with the
entertainment afforded them. The whole of the ar-
ranpments evinced much taste 0
officers to whom the management
n the part of those
was intrusted.
PROMOTION.

Commander Thomas G, k'orbes (1842), to the rank