The Sun.
London, England, 1834-09-20 00:00:00

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PRICE 7D.

x rten:a?up the stimulus which even the sunshine
of wealth and patronage has sometimes failed to excite.
The President having announced the hours and places of
meeting for next day, the Assembly separated.

SECOND DAY (TUESDAY.)
On Tuesday forenoon, the different Sections met in the
Class Rooms of the University, elected their office-bearers,
and appoint committees for conducting the business.
These preliminary arrangements having been completed,
the Sections immediately proceeded to the discussion of
their various departments of science. The following is a
list of the Sections which have been formed, along with
their respective Presidents :
Mathematics and Physic Dr. LLOYD.
Chemistry {Dr. DALTON (in room
of Dr. Hope. )
Geology Professor JAMESON.
Natural History Professor GRAHAM.
Statistics. Sir CHARLES LEMON.
Medicine Dr. ABERCROMBY.
19 the evening, at eight o'clock, the general meeting
took place in the Assembly Rooms. The company was
as numerous and brilliant as on the preceding night.
Sir Trios. BRISBANE havirr, taken the chair, said that,
before commencing the regular business of the evening,
Mr. Taylor, the Treasurer, would report on the progres-
sive increase of the Association, from its commencement to
the present period.
The TREASURER then stated that the number of tickets
issued to new members, on the present occasion, amounted
to upwards of 800, and that probably 150 would be ad-
mitted to-morrow. The Association, at its commencement
at York, numbered 350 members ; at Oxford they in-
creased to 700 ; and at Cambridge, last year, to about
1,400 ; so that at Edinburgh it already included 2,200,
which would be increased in the course of to-morrow, to
2,400.—( Applause.)
Sir Trios. BRISBANE then requested the Association to
attend to the reports of the Presidents of the different Sec-
tions, as to the transactions of the day.
Professor WHEWELL read the report of the Section of
Mathematics and General Physics, from which it appeared
that the effects of capillary attraction, the effect produced
by heat on particles of bodies—and the oscilations of baro-
meters—had formed the subjects of discussion, in which Dr.
Robison, Professor Moll, Professor Whewell, Professor
Powell, and M. Arago, took a prominent part.
Dr. DALTON, in the absence of Dr. Hope, read the report
of the Chemical Section, the most particular part of which
was a discussion which had arisen out of certain experi-
ments made by Dr. Daubeny, on the nature of gas from
thermal water.
Professor Jameson read the report of the Geological and
Geographical Section, which principally embodied a dis-
cussion as to the stratification of various minerals, particu-
larly granite. Dr. Boase, Professor Sedgwick, Mr
Greenough, Professor Phillips, severally explained their•
views on these points, on which there appeared to be con-
siderable difference of opinion.
Professor GRAHAM read the report of the Section on
Natural History, including Zoology and Botany, which
stated that a report by Mr. Jennings on the recent progress
and present state of Zoology had been read. This report,
which seemed to the section most luminous, began by no-
ticing the arrangements by Linnaeus and his followers, and
afterwards entered into the internal arrangement of animals
as contained in the works of Cuvier, The first part of a
paper had then been read by Professor Hooker, giving an
account of an excursion in Quito, and to Chimborazo, along
with Captain Hall, and containing allusions to the state of
vegetation in that neighbourhood, showing the general simi-
larity of the climate of that district with the climate of the
south of Europe, and, at the same time, thB remarkable
effects produced by the continuous spring of that climate,
contrasted with the effects on animal and vegetable life, by
the alternate seasons of other climates ; and a contrast
drawn between the climates of high elevation in tropical
districts, and the variable climates in higher latitudes, the
result being in favour of the alternation instead of the inter-
nal weariness of the joys of everlasting spring.
Mr. ABERCROMBIE, Chairman of the Section of Anatomy
and Medicine, read the relative report, which set forth that,
among other business, a paper had been read by Dr. Alli-
son on the dependence between the muscular irritability and
the nervous influence.

that one of the points for inquiry particularly insisted on
by Professor Lindley, that of the influence of the chemical
nature of soils, and of the excretions of plants was
taken up at an early period of the existence of the
Association, by one of its most zealous supporters, Dr.
Daubeny ; and that, in reference to the review by Dr.
Henry of the labours of European physiologists, we may
quote, as a national honour, the discoveries of our distin-
guished associate, Sir Charles Bell. On the general con-
nexion and occasional apparent opposition of Theory and
Practice, I would refer to some very pertinent remarks in
the address of Whewell, at the last meeting. The im-
portance of carrying on both simultaneously and indepen-
dently, and of looking to our increased knowledge of both
as the only sure means of ultimately reconciling discre-
pancies, has been manifested, by the desire of the Council
of the Association, to procure two distinct reports on the
Theory and Practice of Hydraulics, which have been
drawn up with remarkable perspicuity, and within a small
compass, by Mr. Challis and Mr. Rennie. Both these
gentlemen have shown their zeal in the objects of the As-
sociation, by promising to continue their valuable labours.
Mr. Rennie, on that part of his subject which relates to the
motion of fluids in open channels, and Mr. Challis on some of
those exceedingly interesting branches of theory altogether
modern, which physically, as well as in their mathematical
methods, have the closest analogy to that case ofthe motion of
fluids treated of in the present volume, namely the Theory
of Sound, and the intimate constitution of liquids. When,
in addition to these reports, we shall have received that
undertaken by Mr. Whewell upon the Mathematical
Theory of Magnetism, Electricity, and Heat, we shall
undoubtedly possess the most complete outline extant; of
a department of knowledge entirely of Pelmet. date. In
the science oZ. Hydraulics, indeed, some progress in theory
has accompanied the increase of practical information, at
least since the time of Newton ; but in the other strictly
practical report of the present volume, that of Mr. Barlow
on the very interesting subject of the strength of materials,
little or nothing has been done of much theoretical import-
ance since the days of Galileo. Circumstances, which it
would be easy to point out, prevent our setting out, except
in rare cases,. from unimpeachable data ; but several very
interesting conclusions of general application are derivable
from well conducted experiments, and the Association may
claim some credit for having brought into general notice
the ingenious investigations of Mr. Hodgkinson of Man-
chester, more particularly alluded to in this paper. One
report, and that the longest which has ever been printed
by the Association, remains to be mentioned. It is by
Mr. Peacock, on the present state of Mathematics. 'When
we consider the vast extent of the subject, and the ex-
tremely limited number of persons, even in the whole of
Europe, capable of undertaking it, we must consider the
production of a work of so much labour as the present,
which, as yet, is incomplete, but which the author has pro-
mised to resume, as the best trophy to which we can refer
in proof of the entire efficiency of the Association. Were
these annual reports the only fruits of the labours of this
Society, there would be no reason to complain. But yet
more specific results, of its impulsive action on science may
be quoted. The questions suggested by the reporters and
others, recommended for investigation, have met with ready
attention from several individuals capable of satisfactorily
treating them. Professor Airy has himself investigated,
from direct observation, the mass of Jupiter, suggested as
a desideratum in his report on astronomy ; and, since the
last meeting of the Association, has confirmed his first re-

- sults by new observations, which give almost the same mass
t by the observed elongations of the satellites, as had been
. deduced from the perturbations of the small planets by Ju-
. piter. Hourly observations of the thermometer in the
; south of England have, in two instances, been commanded,
and we are assured that the same desirable object is about
. to be attained by the zeal of the Committee in India,
. where the Association has established a flourishing colony.
. A series of the best observations, conducted for ascertain-
ing the law which regulates the fall of rain at different
heights, has been undertaken at the suggestion of the Phy-
sical Section, by Messrs. Phillip and Gray of York, which
have been ably discussed by the former gentleman, in last
year's report, and have since been continued. A regular
system of Auroral observation, extending from the Shet-
land Isles to the Land's-end, has been established under
the superintendance of a special Committee, and specimens
of the results have been published. Observations on the
supposed influence of the Aurora and the Magnetic Needle, ,
have likewise been pursued in consequence of this proceed-
ing. The conditions of Terrestrial Magnetism in Ireland
have been experimentally investigated by Professor Lloyd.
An important inquiry into the law of Isomorphism has been
undertaken by a special Committee, which has likewise
reported progress ; and an elaborate synopsis of the whole
Fossil Organic Remains found in Britain is in progress
under the hands of Professor Phillips. Many specific in-
quiries are besides going forward, under particular indivi-
duals, to whom they were confided ; whilst it is not to be
doubted that numberless persons, many of them perhaps
new to the world of science, are at this moment pursuing
investigations recommended in general terms, in one or
other of the publications of the Society.
To others the Association has not scrupled to commit a
portion of the funds at their disposal, for the purpose of
pursuing objects which required an outlay, which might be
deemed unreasonable by individuals. Among the most im-
portant of these is the collection of the Numerical Constants
of Nature and Art, which are of perpetual recurrence in
physical inquiries, and which has been confided to the su-
perintendance of Mr. Babbage. When objects of still
more peculiar national importance presented themselves, the
Association has fulfilled its pledge of stimulating Govern-
ment to the aid of science. Five hundred pounds have
been advanced by the Lords of the Treasury towards the
reduction of the Greenwich Observations, at the instance
of the Association ; and more recently the observa-
vations recommended by the Committee on Tides
have been undertaken, by order of the Lords of the
Admiralty, at above 500 stations on the coast of Britain.
Individuals, as we have said, have been stimulated by the
influence of the Association, but so may nations and great
bodies of men. Its published proceedings have found their
way to every quarter, and are tending to produce corres-
ponding efforts in distant lands. Our reports on science
have produced some very interesting counterparts in the
literary town of Geneva. America has taken the lead in
several departments of experiment recommended by the
Association ; and ,the instructions for conducting uniform
systems of observation have been reprinted and circulated
in the New World. We must likewise consider it as an
especial proof of the influence and importance of the Asso-
ciation, that a Report on the Progress of American Geo-
logy has been undertaken and executed by Professor Rogers
of Philadelphia. Similar contributions from some other
foreign countries have been promised, which will extend the
utility of the Association, by making us acquainted
with the more characteristic state of science in the
various parts of Europe. Nor can we fail, on the
present occasion, to consider, as a most auspicious
promise of the future success of the Association, that
the distinguished Secretary of the Institute of France has
not only honoured this meeting with his presence, but has
promised to interest that powerful body on behalf ofthe impor-
tant objects contemplated by the Association, which its co-
operation might effectually secure. The formation of a
Statistical Section at Cambridge was the prelude to the
establishment of a flourishing society, which acknowledges
itself the offspring of this Institution, and which promises,
by a procedure similar to that introduced by the Associa-
tion, to advance materially the greatly neglected subject of
British statistics. We look forward with anxiety to the
future fate of the Association. So long as it continues to
be guided by the same principles as heretofore, it cannot
fail to confer a substantial benefit upon the science of
Britain. We have enough of energy in action to commu-
nicate to the many the knowledge of the few, but it is to
prevent the stagnation of the stream at the fountain-head,
which should be our especial object.—True it is that but
a few are able or disposed to devote themselves unreser-
vedly to those great enterprises which require the whole
man ; yet, though it is morally impossible that any others
should undertake the highest generalizations to which we
have just alluded, a division of labour is as practicable in
intellectual as in mechanical science. If one designing
mind direct the whole, distinct labourers may be engaged,
unknowing each other's tasks, yet happy in the conscious-
ness of being more usefully and more honourably employed
than in imperfectly attempting the execution of works which
they might individually complete. The exquisite piece of
mechanism which, in the form of a watch, issues from the
manufactories at Paris or Geneva, has its various elements
of its wheels and pinions, its balance and fusee, collected
from the detached cottages of the peasantry of the Jura.
To combine individual effort, to render parts capable of
combination into a whole, to economize time and thus vir-
tually to lengthen the lives of those whose exertions are
valuable in the cause of science, may be considered as
humble, yet surely most important contributions to its ad-
vancement. We shall have little reason to regret the want
of a National Institute, whose existence is the just subject
of pride to our continental neighbours, so long as individual

Sir C. LEMON reported the proceedings of the Section of
Statistics, from which it appeared that Colonel Sykes, one
of the deputy chairmen of that section, had some statistical
returns as to the Deccan, which, however, were not as yet
in a fit state for publication ; the Section also reported that
Professor Forbes had applied for leave of access to the Ar-
chives of the East India Company, which had been, with
their usual liberality, granted. It was also reported that a
Statistical Association had been formed in London, and Mr.
Benjamin Haywood, the remaining vice-preses If this sec-
tion, likewise mentioned the formation of a similar Associa-
tion in Manchester. The latter Association had acquired
important information relative to the state of the working
classes in that city, having visited no less than 4,102 fami-
lies, comprehending nearly 20,000 inhabitants ; of this num-
ber 8,851 were children, and of these 252 attended day
same's-, an-d-1,030-attended-Sunday Schools, so that nearly
a half were entirely destitute of education ; 689 families
were found in comfortable circumstances, 651 less so, and
upwards of 2,500 in uncomfortable circumstances. The
next business that had been brought before this Section was
a letter from Sir John Sinclair on the science of agriculture
and on the means of its improvement, but the section wish-
ing to abide as much as possible to facts, could not enter
upon this paper. This finished the report of the sections.
Professor ROBINSON, of Armagh, then addressed the
company at considerable length upon the subject of Comets,
and said that the term " comet" had been from earliest as-
sociations almost synonymous with spirits, terror, and all
the pageantry of unholy and fantastic apprehension. They
knew that still such terrors were found,---they knew
that lately in Paris, the capital of one of the most civilized
and enlightened nations, such a panic prevailed at the re-
turn of one of those strangers, that, to calm the apprehen-
sions of the people, it was necessary to have recourse to one
of the most eminent philosophers, to satisfy them that they
were neither in danger of being suffocated by its noxious
influences, nor crushed to pieces by its concussion. But,
to philosophers, it presented itself in a far different aspect.
Instead of announcing a tempest or revolution, or the fore-
warning of some dreadful scourge in the world,—instead of
all these objects, which its presence formerly conveyed to
the mind, they now beheld in its track one of the proudest
triumphs of human genius, and derived the strongest con-
viction, that the person who should pretend to say to human.
knowledge, " thus far shalt thou go, and no farther," was
as yet in blindness, in infancy, unpractised in his strength,
ignorant of the state of power to which the human mind
could be raised. The learned Professor then entered into
a most interesting disquisition on the history of the great
Haley comet, which was calculated once more to appear in
the latter end of the present year, although it would not
make its nearest approach to the earth till the 6th January,
1835. This expected comet would bring another triumph
to those who would hail with exultation its prompt obe-
dience to the mandate of the mathematician. He con-
cluded by giving a most scientific analysis of the various
theories on this abstpase subject.
Professor WHEWELL then followed up the observations
of Professor Robinson by a still farther and lengthened
comment.

Professor HAMILTON, of Dublin, very shortly replied to
the observations of the latter gentleman, as to comets not
having always appeared at the times stated by philosophers,
and being rather erratic and uncertain in their course.
The Association then adjourned, and the President inti-
mated that the next evening meeting would take place in
the same room, and at the same hour.

THIRD DAY (WEDNESDAY.)
The evening meeting of the Association commenced at
the usual hour of eight ; and long before that time the
room was crowded to excess with ladies and gentlemen.
After the Treasurer had read a state of the accounts of the
Association, reports of the proceedings of the different Sec-
tions through the day were read by the following gentlemen :
—Professor Whewell, mathematics ; Professor Christison,
chemistry ; Lord Greenock, geography and geology ; Pro-
fessor Graham, natural history ; Dr. Abercrombie, medi-
cine ; and Sir Charles Lemon, statistics. These reports
appeared in general, to be little more than minutes of
papers read in the various sections, of which, from the
crowded state of the room, we could only catch the follow-
ing subjects :—ln the mathematical department, Professor
Moll's paper on transverse vibrations was read. Dr.
Powell of Oxford stated his views in reference to the un-
dulatory theory. Meteorology, also, it appeared, formed
a prominent part in the discussions of the day, and on this
subject the continuation of Mr. Phillips's report was read.
In the Chemical Department, a paper was read by Dr.
Charles Williams, on a new law of combustion, showing
that certain bodies are inflamed at a temperature as low as
35 degrees of Fahrenheit. Dr. Daubeney read a paper on
the comparative degrees of heat in coal tar and splint coal,
showing that though tar may be used as fuel, it is not supe-
rior to coal.

In Geography and Geology, Mr. Stephenson's report as
to the change in the relative level of land and water was
read.—This called forth some interesting remarks from
Professor Lyell (who has recently returned from a tour in
Sweden), who adverted to an important fact, that the land
on the coast of Sweden has, within the last 100 years,
gained somewhat more than three feet. Other papers,
principally geological, were read, and particularly one b;
LOrd Greenock, on the coal strata of Scotland.
In the Natural History Department, the
principal sub-
ject of discussion
.related to the height at which certain
species of vegetation exist. The limit of perpetual snow
was another subject of observation, from which it appeared
that the results differed in this point from that of calcula-
tion—the character of the country always assisting in de-

terming the limit. There was among other papers one by
Mr. Brown, relative to certain anomalous families of plants.
In Medicine, there were only a few papers read, which
did not seem to have called forth any remarks of importance.
In Statistics an article was read on the advantages of
infant schools, and a conversation took place on the diffi-
culty of ascertaining the exact amount of the earnings of
the poor. A paper was read on the statistics of Glasgow,
kr Dr. Clelland, in which he showed the numerous inaq-
tcuracies fallen into by those who had drawn up the paro-
ohial statements. A letter was read from Professor Mal-
thus, regretting his inability to attend the present meeting
of the Association.

The CHAIRMAN then requested Dr. Lardner to explain
the principle of Professor Babbage's celebrated calculating
machine. The Learned Doctor commenced his ad-
dress by pointing out the absolute necessity of possessing a
machine by which errors in numerical computation might be
obviated.—That even the most perfect tables by which
navigators determine their longitude are incorrect is
fact familiar to every one. These arise, in the first in-
stance, from mistakes made by calculators ; and it was
stated as a singular fact that in one case three indivi-
duals, acting independently of each other in making the
same calculations and constructing the same tables, each
fell into precisely the same error. This, Dr. Lardner ob-
served, arose in most cases, from the calculist either for-
getting to carry one, or carrying one too many. Several
instances of this were pointed out. But even allowing that
the tables were correctly constructed, still in the opera-
tion of printing, errors would inevitably occur. The ma-
chine invented by Professor Babbage, it is contemplated,
will prevent the possibility of error in forming those nu-
merical tables. It is, however, impossible for us to follow
the Learned Doctor through the details he gave of this
celebrated machine without diagrams.

FOURTH DAY (THURSDAY.)
This evening the rooms were again extremely crowded,
and such was the anxiety to be present that the company
began to arrive as early as seven o clock, being an hour be-
fore the proceedings commenced, and in a short time after-
wards the room was nearly filled. Numbers, however,
continued to throng the passages up to eight o'clock, when
the great room was completely filled to the very door, and,
consequently, a considerable part of the visitors, including
many of the ladies, had to content themselves with merely
promenading through the lobbies and side rooms. Among
the company present this evening we noticed Viscount
Melville and Lord Belhaven.
The President having taken the chair, •
Professor WIIEWELL reported the transactions for the day
in the Section of Mathematics and General Physics. A
paper had been read by Professor Rennie on hydraulics,
embracing some observations upon the river Thames, showing
its slope previous to the creation of the new London bridge.
Mr. PHILLIP read a paper on a new form of the dipping
needle, whereby errors regarding the centre of gravity could
be corrected.
Professor ROBINSON made some remarks on the Edin-
burgh Observatory, showing the necessity of some scientific
improvements.
Dr. CHRISTISON reported the proceedings of the Che-
mical Section, the most important part of the business of
which seemed to have been a discussion on chemical nota-
tion introduced by Mr. Johnston. The subject was re-
ferred to the committee, with the view of introducing an
uniform system of chemical notation. A letter from Profes-
sor Airy, of Philadelphia, was read, respecting the pro-
priety of facilitating the communications with foreigners•of
congenial pursuits.
Lord GitEENOCK reported the proceedings of the Sec-
tion of Geology and Geography.
Mr. Nicol, read a paper on the subject of the structure
of fossil wood, and explained the general results of his ob-
servations, and showed his method of making the thin sec-
tions of fossil wood.
Professor TRAILL read a paper on fossil remains found
in Orkney, which gave rise to some discussion. The sec-
tion resolved, if the weather should prove favourable, to
have a geological excursion to some of the hills near Edin-
burgh.
Professor GRAHAM reported the Section of Natural
History. .
Mr. SELBY read a lengthened notice of the birds obtained
during an excursion in Sutherlandshire, and On the struc-
ture and use of the orbital glands.
Sir W. JARDINE also read a paper on the various spe-
cies of the genus Salmo collected during the same tour, ex-
hibiting the specimens and drawings. On this important
subject some observations were made by M. Agassis and
Dr. Richardson.
Mr. TREVELYAN read a notice on the distril?ution of the
phenogamous plants of the Faroe Island.
A paper was read by Mr. J. G. DALZELL on the propa-
gation of Scottish zoophytes, illustrated by many beautiful
drawings. He stated that he had kept some of the zoo-
phytes alive in his own house for several years.
Dr. ARNOTT read a paper on the coculus indicus of
commerce.
Mr. MURRAY made somo observations on his gucce
cultivating phormium tenax.
Dr. ROGET reported the proceedings of the Section of
Anatomy and Medicine, the most prominent feature of
which seemed to be a lecture by Sir Charles Bell, on the
nervous system, which was to be continued on the follow-
ing day.
Colonel SYKES reported the Statistical Section. The
discussion resolved on the new statistical account of Scot-
land. Earl Fitzwilliam suggested that more minute details
regarding the subject of agriculture should be obtained, and
mentioned that he had been successful in getting some mi-
nute returns from his own neighbourhood. On the sugges-
tion of Lord Jeffrey, the committee undertook to communi-
cate with the Highland Society on the subject.
Mr. Brunel reported the proceeding of the subsections of
Mathematics.

Dr. Buckland then gave an interesting lecture on some
species of fossil reptiles, which he illustrated by various
drawings exhibited on the wall of the room.
The meeting closed at a little before 11 o'clock.