The Sun.
London, England, 1841-02-22 00:00:00

THE ADELAIDE GALLERY.

This old e•stablished place of amusement and instruction
still maintains its character, and daily attracts numerous
visitors t s witness the various cxhibi ions prepared ft.ir the
• eratifi, ation of the putt c. Like that excellent establish-
ment in Regent-street, the Polytechnic Institution, which
has teen farmed on tee same principle', and with the same
ottje: ts, it is kept up chiefly for the purpose of promoting
pr icticai science, and encouraging the stud}, of natural
philosophy. We understand that the Directors gain
nothing by the exhibitions, that any surplus revenue de-
rive 1 from mnney taken at the doors is expended in im-
oven.ents er new works cf art, and that not unfrequently
contributions from the patrons of science are mane with a
view to attract the notice of the public to some new and
useful invektion. One of the latest novelties introduced
in the Gallery of Practical Science, is a powerful electri-
fying machine connected with a plate on which the dee-
trii al fluid breaks at regular intervals, arid exhibits on a
small scale all the variety and fcrcc of lightning. it ex-
plodes with a loud t eport, producing, according as the ap-
prratus is adapted, fcrked or sheet lightning, and also
that beautiful variegated lightning often seen in
the Oistant hi rizon in the sultry summer months.
This, and a number of other beautiful instru-
ments and machines have been furnished by Mr.
Clarke, of the Strand, well known for his skill in the ma-
nufacture of philosophical instruments. Mr. Clarke also
gives lectures twice a week on the polarization of light—a
subject which Sir David Brewster has within these few
years brought so much into public notice. The lectures,
which are necessarily short to suit the cons enienco of the
visitors, are illustrated by a variety of experiments showing
the variegated lights produced by refraction, or reflection,
and explaining satisfactorily how light is mace to assume
so many different tirges. On this subject a paper drawn
up by Sir David Brewster, and read at the list meeting of
the British Association, gives some curiou! information.
In the ruins c f the Chapter House of the Cathedral of St.
Andrew,, Sir David found specimens of glass in a s'a'e of
decomposition. "The decomposition," he sayr, " com-
mences in points, and extends itself either in planer, so as
to form thin films, or in concentric coats. The films thus
formed arc of extreme elegance, and afford by transmitted
light colours of infinite beauty and variety, surpassing any-
thing produced by works of art. These phenomena arose
%slimly from the polarization c f the transmitted light by
refraction, the splendid colours being entirely those of
thin plates, which were sometimes arranged so a; to have
the appearance of concentric rings. When the thin films
vvete arranged longitudinally, the light was sal polarized,
but only in one plane, but whin a drop of water or oil was
introduced Letween the films, the phenomena of polarize-
tion a; well as of colour entirely disappeared." The ap-
paratus used by Mr. Clarke exhibits these concentric
rings, and also planes arranged longitudinally, which like-
wise disappear at once on altering the plane of incidence.
The study of thew phenomena is full of interest, as shovi-
ing tLe simple arrangement made by nature for producing
om white light those beautiful and variegated colours
found in every part of creation. In addition to these there
arc numerous other objects of interest in the Gallery which
afford both amusement and instruction at a cheap rate, and
well deserve the attention of the public.

DUTIES ON IMPORTS

IMPORTANT PARLIAMENTARY
MEETING.
At a meeting of Members of the House of
Commons, held at the Thatched House Tavern,
St. James's-street, on the 20th of February, 1841,
Joseph Hume, Esq., M.P., in the Chair, the fol-
lowing Resolutions were agreed to :
Moved by the Right Hon. Edward Ellice,
M.P. and seconded by Peter Ainsworth,
Esq., M.P.
First Resolution.—That it is the opinion of this
meeting, consisting of Members representing
many of the most important commercial and ma-
nufacturing constituendies of the United Kingdom,
that the present restrictions and prohibitions in
the Commercial Code of the British Empire and
its dependencies, and the operation of the exist-
ing Tariff of Import Duties, present the most se-
rious obstacles to the extension of the trade of
this country.
Moved by James Morrison, Esq., M.P., and
seconded by Archibald Hastie, Esq., M.P.
Second—That the Report of the Committee
of last Session on Import Duties has strength-
ened the opinions previously entertained, with
reference to the evils of the present restrictive
system ; and has shown that, besides the taxes
paid by the people for revenue purposes, they
are charged an enhanced price upon many neces-
sary articles of consumption, beyond that paid
by the people of foreign countries; and that
encouragement is thereby given to the establish-
ment of rival manufacturing interests abroad.
Moved by Edward Strutt, Esq., M.P., and se-
conded by Robert Hutton, Esq., M.P.
Third—That notwithstanding the addition of a
considerable per tentage to the existing taxes in
the course of the last Session, the amount of re-
venue has decreased, whilst, during the same pe-
riod, there has been a great increase in the pub-
lic expenditure—that to meet this deficiency one
of the following alternatives becomes necessary,
either to raise money by way of loan, or by new
taxes, or to increase the revenue by a revision of
the Import Duties; by the former course, trade
will be impeded, and the burdens of the people
augmented—by the latter, commerce will be ex-
tended, and the comforts of the people increased
—therefore it is the decided opinion of this meet-
ing, that the financial difficulties of the country,
and the wants of the consumer, will best be met
by a general revision and reduction of the duties
on imports.
Moved by Benjamin Hawes, jun., Esq., M.P.,
and seconded by Thos. Thornely, Esq., M.P.
Fourth—That a copy of these resolutions,
signed by the Chairman, be transmitted to Vis-
count Melbourne.
Moved by Henry Warburton, Esq., M.P., and
seconded by Robert Steuart, Esq., M.P.
Fifth—That a Committee be appointed to su-
perintend the printing and circuldtion of these
resolutions, to invite the co-operation of Mem-
bers of Parliament of all parties, to call meetings,
to report from time to time; and, generally, to
further the objects of this meeting.
Moved by the Right Hon. Edw. Ellice, M.P.,
and seconded by William Ewart, Esq., M.P.
Sixth—That the Committee consist of the fol-
lowing Members, with power to add to their
number :—Joseph Hume, Esq., M.P., Mark Phi-
lips, Esq., M.P., Edward Strutt, Esq., M.P.,
Hon. C. P. Villiers, M.P., Thomas Thornely,
Esq., M.P., and Benj. Hawes, jun., Esq., M.P
JOSEPH HUME, Chairman.