The Sun.
London, England, 1847-06-28 00:00:00

INTRODUCTORY GENERAL MEETING.

The theatre was in the afternoon filled with members
and ladies to attend the preliminary proceedings and
the opening of the business of the Association. The
chair was taken by Sir R. I. Murchison, F.R.S., who was
abundantly decorated with the orders bestowed upon
him by the Emperor of Russia, the King of Sweden,
and other northern potentates, to whose districts his
geological inquiries had carried him. He was supported
by the Marquis of Northampton, the President of the
Royal Society, the Prussian and American Ministers,
Sir T. Dyke Acland, Bart., M.P., the Earl of Ennis-
killen, Sir John Herschel, Bart., Sir John Richardson,
Sir James Ross, Dr. Faraday, Professor Owen, and
many other of the leading members.
Sir R. I. MunclirsoN, in opening the business of the
meeting, said that there was a very fair matter of con-
gratulation in the proceedings of the Association during
the past year, accompanied as they were, likewise, with
the reminiscences of its first visit to Oxford. He was
glad to be enabled to recognise in the room the presence
of representatives of the science of Russia, Prussia,
Sweden, Norway, Holland, and France. Amongst the
latter he could not but feel satisfaction in announcing the
name of M. Le Verrier, whose astronomical reputation
was European. After a year of very satisfactory inte-
rest, he had great pleasure in resigning his seat to his
successor, Sir Robert H. Inglis, Bart., M.P.
Sir R. H. INcias, the president elect, who was attired
in his robes as Doctor of Civil Laws of this university,
delivered the preliminary address, which occupied about
two hours. He commenced by alluding to the progress
which had been made in the different branches of scien-
tific inquiry since the last meeting. At the head of
these was an important discovery in astronomy, the
result of pure intellect. In this, human intellect had but
tracked a path in the highways of the universe which had
been arranged millions of years before by the Great
Creator. He would not presume to dispute upon the rivalry
or merits of Le Verrier and Adams, but it was certain
that one had found by midnight watchings what the
other had predicted by the results of calculation. It was
indeed a glorious triumph of the intellect that it was
not necessary to sit down with Alexander the Great,
and say that there were no new worlds to conquer, for
there were many new worlds to be discovered. In al-
lusion to the astronomical exertions of the Earl of Rosse,
one of the vice-presidents of the present meeting, lie
itrihge
must state that his telescope was the greatest contri-
bution. that ever wealth had made to science, particu-
larly
n its
bcir:onna osf,:ilfneeirittif:.vaelmanivadetmeoercohiaogniicca,tli
enuity. IschTfough the means of the association, and
affectedthe air was observations made t proved e d that
by tidal Denovemasenatss°
water ; that, in fact, astronomical observations of great
importance could now be made by the barometer. In
chemistry discoveries of great importance had been
made, particularly in the discovery of electrical currents
produced from the muscular contractions of the living
body, and which ceased sooner in warm than in cold-
blooded animals. This, which had been introduced by Pre.
fessor Matucci, had been confirmed by the observations
of Dr. Faraday, who would lay before them some of the
results of his experience and observation. Since the last
meeting many important and interesting researches had
been made in the insect creation, as the results of the mi-
croscopical exhibition to be held in the ensuing week
would doubtlessly prove. One of the latest disco-
veries of the microscope was by the circulation of the
blood from the arteries to the veins, a matter propounded
by Harvey, but never before demonstrated. In natu-
ral history, and particularly in botany, the most im-
portant practical developments were being made. Vast
numbers of plants had the last two or three years been
introduced into the botanic gardens at Kew from Austra-
lia and China, the result of which had been a very great
increasedadditional
e number
n thator visitors
establishment,
who h
aasd shown'frequentedin
the
it. Electricity was working wonders for the
benefit and comforts of mankind. In the United
States of America there was an instantaneous com-
munication of 1,300 miles; and when the Hibernia
steamer lately carried out the intelligence of the dearth
of corn in this country to Boston, it was instantane-
ously conveyed to New York, the streets of which were
the next day filled with carts from neighbouring
farmers laden with the produce of the country, and
for English use. It must be recollected that to the
United States we were first indebted for the intro-
duction and exercise of the electric telegraph. Much
as benefits had been conferred upon this country by
distinguished individuals, intellect had undoubtedly
thrown more reputation upon it than had arms; the
name of Newton had a supremacy to that of Marl
borough. Sir Robert Inglis concluded his very able
address by impressing upon the meeting that an im-
proved knowledge of science advanced our knowledge of
God, and that new developments were productive of
moral improvement.
The Marquis of NORTHAMPTON, proposed and the
Chevalier BUNSEN seconded, a motion of thanks to Sir
H. Inglis, for his address, which was carried by accla-
mation. The latter announced his receipt of intelligence
of the restoration to a state of convalescence of Bavon
Humboldt, of whose recovery to health some doubts
were lately entertained.
The meeting adjourned to Wednesday.
The ordinary was held at the Star Hotel, in the even•
ing, when Sir R. Murchison, F.R.S., presided.

rADVERTISEMENT.]—THE EARL OF ALDBOROUGII
AND HOLLOWAY'S PILLS.—An astounding cure by this miraculous
medicine, after every other means had failed. See extract from his
Lordship's letter, dated " Villa Messina, Leghorn, Feb. 21, 1845.
Professor Holloway—Sir : I beg to acquaint you that your pills have
effected a cnro of a disorder in my liver and stomach all the most
eminent of the faculty, at home and all over the continent, had not
been able to effect ; nay, not eves the waters of Carlsbad or Ma-
rienbad. (Signed) " ALDBOROUGII." These wonderful pills will
cure any disease of the liver or stomach.—Sold (alse Holloway's
Ointment) at Professor Holloway's Establishment, 241, Strand, and
by all medicine vendors throughout the civilised world.
DEATH OF THE LION AT THE SURREY GARDENS.—
On Wednesday last the lion Adolphus, the smallest of
the two in Mr. Tyler's collection of wild beasts in the.
Surre7 Gardens, died, after an ilium of only WO dap