The Sun.
London, England, 1824-12-02 00:00:00

ROYAL SOCIETY.

The Aniversary 'Dinner of the Royal Society
was on Tuesday held at the Crown and Anchor Tavern. The
President, Sir Ilumpliry Davy, was in the Chair, supported by
Mr. Peel and Lord Bexley, Davies (filbert, Esq. M.P.,
Sir Thomas Lawrence, President of the Royal Academy,
and many other Uentlemen distinguished for art and science,
were present. After the usual loyal toasts had been given from
the Chair—

Mr. DAVIES GILBERT rose to propose " the health of the
President." Among the duties which the Society had imposed
upon him, in electing him to the office which he bore, none
was more congenial to his feelings than the annual task of
thus claiming their attention to the distinguished individual
who occupied the Chair. The discoveries of Sir 'Humphry
Davy, in analyzing the alkalies and the earths, were un-
equalled in brilliancy and importance since the clays of Sir
Isaac Newton. He had the satisfaction of announcing an-
other discovery •of a similar character, and of the greatest
practical utility. It was known to the lovers of chemical
science, that Sir liumphry Davy, in die course of his
experiment upon the alkalies and earths, was led to suppose,
that the chemical affinities of bodies have a certain relation to
their electric and galvanic attractions, and that by affixting an
alteration in the latter the former might be changed. This,
which at first was no more than a sagacious conjuror or loge.'
nious theory, Sir Humphrey Davy had now established by sso.
turd experiment, and had applied to purposes of great national
importance. Ile altered the chemical affinities of copper,
so as to render it nearly indestructable. Ships could now
perform the longest voyages, without the ccii)per sheathing on
their bottoms being corroded by the action o the water; and,
while a very important saving was thus effected in this neces-
sary article of naval equipment, the invaluable lives of our
seamen were rendered less insecure. He had may to add, that
while the Royal Society was under the guidance of such a Pre-
sident, its honours would perpetually accumulate, and its ser.
vices to science would hourly increase.—((great applause.)
The PRESIDENT returned thanks in a very appropriate ad-
dress. The field of science was boundless—diere were no
limits to human improvement. lie proposed the health of
their Treasurer, Mr. Davies Gilbert," who returned thanks.
The PnEsiDENT proposed "The health of the Right lion.
Robert Peel." They were peculiarly happy in being honoured
with the presence of one of his Majesty's Ministers, who, from
the nature of his office, was the natural patron of every disco.
very in science and applicationi of art, which tended to promote
the internal improvement of the country. The Royal Society
was already under many- obligations to the present Home Se-
cretary, and lie was confident would yet be under many more.
Mr. Secretary PEEL returned thanks, in a speech peculiarly
happy and appropriate, and sat down amidst the cordial appro-
bation of the company.
The PRESIDENT then gave—" The health of Dr. Brookby,
the President of the Royal Irish Academy." He had; in his
address in the morning, explained the grounds upon which the
Council had conferred the Copley Medal on this distinguished
mathematician. In the higher analyses he seconded La Place.
His papers upon the parallax of the fixed stars were before the
Society in their " Transactions." Last year the Copley .Medal
was conferred on Mr. Pond, the Astronomer Royal, for a series
of observations made at Greenwich, which seemed to establish
the parallax of the fixed stars; this year they conferred the
same medal upon Dr. lirookby, for a series of observations
made at Dublin, which go to prove that she fixed stars have no
parallax. He would not pretend to decide-between these dis.
tinguished mathematicians. All be would say was, that the
controversy between them was carried on in a Spirit which shed
additional lustre upon science. Mr. Pond, as a Member of the
Council, was the first to vote for conferring the medal upon Dr.
Brookby. The toast was received with great applause.
The PRESIDENT then gave " The Progress of Science all
over the World ;" and the company, consisting of po Members,
broke up about ten o'clock, after a day peculiarly gratifying to
the lovers of science.

DEATII OF MR. BRIGOS.—A drendrul occur-
rence took place about eleVen o'clock on Friday- night. Mr.
lininns, of the firm of Messrs. Briggs and Co. of this
town, was picked up in a state of insensibility, and with one
of his legs shattered to pieces, at the entrance of the Hotel
yard, from Briggate. Mr. Briggs immediately underwent
the operation of amputation of the leg, but we regret to
say that he expired at two o'clock on Sunday afternoon.—
Mr. Briggs, it is said, wax first discovered by the driver
of a chaise which arrived at the front of the house, and
which did not enter the yard of the Hotel. An in.
quest, however, was yesterday taken before Mr. Barry,
when the principal witness alleged that one or two men,
apparently labourers, were heard to say that the chaise
threw Mr. Briggs down, and inflicted the Injury he sustained.
—The driver of the chaise, on the other hand, deposed that
his vehicle was never sufficiently near the deceased to cause the
dreadful catastrophe, and we understand this evidence was at-
tested by the inmates of the chaise. It was to be regretted
that the person or persons alluded to, who can alone be sup-
posed to have witnessed the scene as it really transpired, were
absent from the inquisition. Upon their testimony alone, a
proper verdict can be returned. We may, however, add, that
from what we can learn it was the prevailing opinion in tite Jury
room, that Mr. Briggs came by his death owing to some colon.
ble transaction. It is, therefore, very desirable that the
above-mentioned witness or witnesses should come forward
to promote the ends of justice by a deposition before
the adjourned Inquest, which will be held to.morrow et
eleven o'clock, in the Court-House. This, it must be apparent
would also be consolatory to the afflicted family of the deceased.
We observe, by an advertisement, that a hand some reward will
be given for the appearance of the man or men in question. It
is rather singular that Mr. Benson, whose i
accdent we relate in
another paragraph, anti Mr. Briggs, were alled—the wives of
those gentlemen being sisters. l'he limb of Mr. Bense: was
amputated on "ruesday, and that of Mr. Briggs on the Fri-
day.—( Len!, Intclligencer, Nov. 30.)