The Sun.
London, England, 1859-12-10 00:00:00

pose his fine gift of memory—published a passage
which he informed us was of far higher merit than
anything else we had to expect. And what was
Wordsworth's conduct under this unequaled experi-
ence of bad faith and bad feeling ? While so many
anecdotes were going of the poet's fireside, the
following ought to be added. An old friend was
talking with him by that fireside, and mentioned
De Quincey's magazine articles. Wordsworth
begged to be spared any account of them, saying that
the man had long passed away from the family life
and mind; and he did not wish to ruffle himself
in a useless way about a misbehaviour which could
not be remedied. The friend acquiesced, saying
" Well, I will tell you only one thing that he says,
and then we will talk of other things. He says your
wife is too good for you." The old poet's dim eyes
lighted up instantly, and he started from his seat,
and flung himself against the mantelpiece, with his
back to the fire, as he cried with loud enthusiasm--
" And that's true ! There he is right ! " and his
disgust and contempt for the traitor were visibly
moderated.
During a long course of years De Quincey went
on dreaming always—sometimes scheming workg of
high value and great efficacy which were never to
exist; promising largely to booksellers and others,
and failing through a weakness so deep-seated that
it should have prevented his making any promises.
When his three daughters were grown up. and his
wife was dead, he lived in a pleasant cottage at
Lasswade, sear Edinburgh—well known by name
to those who have never seen its beauties, as the
scene of Scott's early married life and first
great achievements in literature. There, while the
family fortunes were expressly made contingent on
his abstinence from his drug, De Quincey did ab-
stain, or observe moderation. His flow of conver-
sation was then the delight of old acquaintance and
admiring strangers, who came to hear the charmer,
and to receive the impression, which could never be
lost, of the singular figure and countenance and the
finely modulated voice, which were like nothing else
in the world. It was a strange think to look upon
that fragile form, and features which might be
those of a dying man, and to hear such utterances
as his ; now the strangest comments on insignifi-
cant incidents; now pregnant remarks on great
subjects; and then, malignant gossip, virulent and
base, but delivered with an air and a voice of phi-
losophical calmness and intellectual commentary
such as caused the disgust of the listener to be
largely qualified with amusement and surprise.
One good thing was, that nobody's name and fame
could be really injured by anything De Quincey
could say. There was such a grotesque air about
the mode of his evil-speaking, and it was so gra-
tuituous and excessive, that the hearer could not
help regarding it as a singular sort of intellectual
exercise, or an effort in the speaker to observe, for
once, something outside of himself, rather than as
any token of actual feeling towards the ostensible
object.
Let this strange commentator on individual cha-
racter meet with more mercy and a wiser interpre-
tation than he was himself capable of. He was not
made like other men ; and he did not live, think,'or
feel like them. A singular organisation was singu-
larly and fatally deranged in its ;action before it
could show its best quality. Marvellous analytical
faculty he had ; but it all oozed out in barren words.
Charming eloquence ho had; but it degenerated
into egotistical garrulity, rendered tempting by the
gilding of his genius. It is questionable whether,
if he had never touched opium or wine, his real
achievements would have been substantial—for he
had no conception of a veritable stand-point of phi-
losophical investigation ; but the actual effect of his
intemperance was to aggravate to excess his intro-
spective tendencies, and to remove him incessantly
further from the needful discipline of true science.
His conditions of body and mind were abnormal,
and his study of the one thing he knew anything
about—the human mind—was radically imperfect.
His powers, noble and charming as they might
have been, were at once wasted and weakened
through their own partial excess. His moral nature
relaxed and sank, as must always be the case where
sensibility is stimulated and action paralysed ; and
the man of genius who, 40 years before, admini-
stered a moral warning to all England, and com-
manded the sympathy and admiration of a nation,
has lived on to achieve nothing but the delivery of
some confidences of questionable value and beauty,
andto command from us nothing more than a com-
passionate sorrow that an intellect so subtle and
an eloquence so charming in its pathos, its humour,
its insight, and its music, should have left the world
in no way the better for such gifts—unless by the
warning afforded in " Confessions" first, and then
by example, against the curse which neutralised
their influence and corrupted its source.—Daily
News.

THE PRACTICAL IMPORTANCE OF
METEOROLOGY.

At a recent meeting of the British Meteorological
Society, T. Sopwith, Esq., M.A., F.It.S., the pre-
sident, read a paper on "The Practical Importance
of Meteorology." Mr. Sopwith commenced by say-
ing :—ln drawing the attention of this society to a
subject which must be considered to be the very
basis of the society's existence—for without prac-
tical utility all theoretical studies and observations
would have but little claim on our attention—my
object is not to occupy your time by any detailed
statements of views which are well understood, but
to endeavour to direct attention to the present state
of meteorological science with reference to some
means of promoting an increased attention to pheno-
mena which, if accurately observed and applied,
may in a great degree afford certainty in the place
of conjecture, and reasonable ground Yof conjecture
and anticipation in cases where no means are at pre-
sent:recognised for forming even probable conjec-
tures. It may, indeed, be said of every science that
its uses, and consequently its importance, are in-
creased exactly in the same degree in which correct
observation is made the basis of practical applica-
tion. In one sense meteorology is even more popular
than the sciences of astronomy, navigation, geology
or any other study that might be named. Not a day
—nay, scarcely an hour passes, but some remark or
silent observation is made on the weather. It is the
usual salutation of friends on meeting. Whether in
or out of doors, each change of aspect in the clouds,
the commencement or cessation of rain or snow, and
above all the varying temperature of northern cli-
mates, never fail to attract earnest attention. In this
sense we may say that meteorology is the most uni-
versally observed of all the sciences—that the whole
family of mankind form a meteorological society,
constantly engaged in observing results which,
though vague and inaccurate, are mere frequently
communicated in word and in writing than any
other general topic, unless it be health, which is,
as we all know, closely connected with, and depen-
dent on, meteorological conditions, so much so that
an enlarged and practical view constantly recog-
nises their mutual connection. In almost every con-
dition of active life we find especial and important
claims which this science has upon the most careful
attention, in order to obtain the strict elements of
health and comfort ; and in like manner do we find
evil results—the loss of comfort, health, and even
life, as well as deterioration of prospects, ensue from
its neglect. It is probable that in savage nations
the immediate suffering arising from neglect, aug-
mented by the absence of the ameliorating arrange-
ments of civilised life, probably render the inhabi-
tants more accurate otherwise than those to whom
changes of weather are of small moment. The in-
fluence of atmospheric changes upon the comfort
and well-being of the living inhabitants of the globe
and especially of the human race, cannot be over-
estimated, nor would it would it be easy even to
enumerate the more prominent conditions which
have so close a relation with life and health. In an
ordinary lifetime a human being depends for exist-
ence on the inhaling of air with the lungs a number
of times, which must be reckoned in hundreds of
millions, any failure in which, even for a few
minutes, would be fatal to life. How much then,
in an operation of such enormous amount of repeti-
tion, must depend on the purity and density of the
fluid we breathe. How important, then, are the
means by which the condition of the atmosphere
can be ascertained as regards its relation to health,
and considered as an absolute means of existence.
How important to foresee such changes in the
atmosphere as are likely to affect personal comfort
or the success of commercial or other pursuits. How
important it is to have regard to density, to hu-
midity, to motion and temperature. As yet, the
practical importance of meteorology is far from
being generally understood and appreciated. The
interests of the farmer, the shipowner, the mariner,
the miner, and many other extensive classes of
society are so largely engaged, that it is remarka-
ble to observe how small is the number of persons
associated for the promotion of exact meteorology,
scarcely, if at all, exceeding one person for each
hundred inhabitants of Great Britain. This society
has done more to consolidate the observations rela-
ting to British meteorology than -could have been
done by any amount of recombined operations. And
here it would be unjust not to mention in the most
prominent manner, the labours of Mr. Glaisher,
who may be considered as the founder and promoter
of a sound system of meteorological observations.
The practical importance of meteorology will, I
doubt not, be hereafter admitted as generally as
that of other sciences. Its aims are such as admit
of accomplishment, provided the same amount of
public attention can be directed to the only means
whereby progress can be safely and surely
made. These means of progress may be
comprised in a few words, viz., correct observe-

tions made with accurate instruments in a suffi-
cient number of places, and combined under
one general system of arrangement and superinten-
dense. After the mention and various illustrations
of cases in which meteorological conditions are of
great practical importance, Mr. Sopwith dwelt at
some length upon the necessity for good and accu-
rate instruments, and care in the observations, quot-
ing from his journal as follows ---Nov. 25, 1859.
Correct observations in meterology hare an impor-
tance which is not possessed by erroneous data ;
the latter are not only without positive value, they
promote erroneous views, prevent sound conclusions,
and entirely impede all progress in those researches
of science which are useful only when based on
strict truth. Mr. Sopwith discussed observations
taken with the utmost care and regularity in con-
nection with those at Allenhead and Bywell with
standard instruments, and he found that at times

the barometrical observation showed increasing
readings instead of decreasing readings, and the
variations of temperature were entirely wrong,
owing mainly to the imperfection of the instruments.
These results having come under the notice of the
Duke of Northumberland, on whose property these
observations were made, his Grace gave a written
assent to a suggestion I had offered with a view to
substitute good instruments, and to have correct
observations taken. Not only did his Grace offer

to defray the cost of such instruments, but proposed
the establishment of meteorological observations at
fishing villages on the coast of Northumberland,
where there is reason to believe that loss of life
might be averted by such a foreknowledge of the
weather as can only be obtained by means of accu-
rate instruments. I am sure the members of this
society will cordially approve the reception which
these liberal and benevolent proposals have met with
from the council, who at their last meeting directed
a letter to be sent in acknowledgment of this im-
portant practical aid, and expressing also the de-
sire, as well as the willingness of the council to
take the responsibility of having such observations
made in strict conformity with uniform prin-
ciples, and so as to admit of comparison with correct
standards. The lnbours of local societies, and of
scientific individuals, must become of greatly in-
creased value when combined in one general and
uniform system. I may here quote a remark made
by Mr. Drew, who says, " Looking at what private
observers like myself may have been able to accom-
plish in the science of meteorology, we must arrive
at the conclusion that comparatively slow progress
will be made until our number is increased, and
until we embrace in our observations a more ex-

tensive range. In addition to the pressure, tempera-
ture, and hygrometric state of the air, it would be
highly advantageous could we for localities ascertain
the rapidity of evaporation, the range and intensity
of solar radiation, and the state of electric tension.
All which, in their varied combinations, go to make
up that general result which we call climate, and
which unitedly produce effects upon the natural
world and the human frame, according to the pre-
ponderance in the atmosphere of the one element or
the other." When public attention is thus direoted
to the subject it is probable that a greatly increased
care will lead to greatly increase usefulness. I
would especially mention schools as places where
meteorological observations might be kept, under
peculiarly favourable circumstances. In the mean-
time, there is one suggestion which I have ventured
to offer, and that is that in many places where ob-
servations arc kept the knowledge of thorn is con-
fined to the persons making them, or to a few per-
sons in the house or other building. Now it would
be very easy to fix in a conspicuous manner a ladder.
like scale—a sort of enlargement of what we see in
levelling staves—and having a large and prominent
index, moveable by hand, so as to be placed daily
at the several observatories, to show the two pre-
ceding observations. Such an arrangement will be
placed at the Alawick Observatory, where it will
be seen from Alnwick Castle, and from many miles
of country, by the aid of a spying-glass of mode-
rate power. Such indications would make the
weather as well known to the public generally as
the time is known by a clock.

ROYAL COLLEGE OF SURGEONS.—The following
gentlemenhaving undergone thelnecessary examinations for
the diploma were admitted members of the college at a
meeting of the court of examiners on the Gth inst., viz. :
Messrs. 11. Rickard, Plymouth ; T. Miller, Boyton, Suf-
folk ; 11. Horsley, Croydon ; T. Michell, Redruth, Corn-
wall; F. Pout, Yielding, Kent; F. 0. B. Wither, Madras;
T. Moore, llales Owen, Worcestershire ; D. Kaarney,
Madras; T. S. Foster, Carnarvon ; S. Booth, Huddere-
field; R. S. Wallis, Birmingham; L. J. Lee, London; 11.
S. llutcheon, Aberdeen; A. Lloyd, Bristol ; U. It. Irvine,
Portsmouth ; E. C. Board, Bristol ; J. Neesom, Bradford ;
C. J. Trotter, llolmlirth, Yorkshire ; J. Merrinece, Bel-
fast; J. Booster, Chester; W. Murray, Durham; W.
N. Pell, Northampton; and J. It. Thomas, Dublin.
MALAGA, Nov. 29.—The steamer Genoa, with
troops, mules, 100 tons of gunpowder, &c., took fire in the
Mole. Fortunately they were able to sink her before the
fire reached the gunpowder. Upwards of one hundred mules
parished