The Sun.
London, England, 1850-06-07 00:00:00

PROFESSOR FARADAY'S LEC, N„.,
TURES ON DOMESTIC CHEMISTRY.
On Saturday, Professor Faraday concluded his
.-,"
7.
course of lectures at the Royal Institution. Com-.VP':
bustion, in its various modes, having formed the sub-
ject of the preceding lectures, the course was very ap---„,
propriately wound up by the consideration of "asheseg:
The ashes which remain after all the 4-bAstibral
parts of the fuel are consumed, may genially' 114'
found in the fuel before it is burned, but other
parts of the ashes are the actual product of combus-
tion, and not the refuse. Various specimens were
exhibited of the ashes of different combustibles.
The professor entered at considerable length into
the history of ashes, for the purpose of showing what
becomes of the clearings out of dust-holes, and the
many uses to which they are applied. After the sepa-
ration cf old pieces of metal, bones skins, and othsr
beterogenous substances, each of which has its sepa-
rate value, the actual ash that remains is employed
tor manure, and the making of bricks. The value of
this material varies considerably according to the de-
mand for brick-making, for which purpose it is pe-
culiarly adapted, and when the demand is great, a
dust contractor will obtain as much as 20s. per chal-
dron for the sifted refuse ; at other times the price
falls as low as Is. the chaldron. The ashes of most
plants consist principally of silica ; it serves to
support them and to give the stalks and leaves
their necessary strength. The amount of silica con-
tained in wheat straw is equal to 67.90 parts in
every one hundred; while the quantity in the grain
itself is only 1.18. The silica in the, straw may be
made apparent by being converted into glass by
combustion, as Professor Faraday exhibited by burn-
ing a straw in the flame of a spirit-lamp, and produc-
ing as the result a small globule of glass. The
proportion of silica. differs considerably in various
classes of plants. Rushes contain less than wheat straw,
while canes, on the contrary, abound in it so much
that the inside of a bamboo cane frequently contains
considerable accretions of that substance' in a pure
state. It is to ashes that we are indebted for some
extremely valuable products of nature. The vege-
table alkali (potass) for example, is derived from the
combustion of plants, and the Professor illustrated
the production of the vegetable alkali by rubbing
the ashes of wood and straw over moistened turmeric
paper, which exhibited a dark brown mark, indicat-
ing the presence of an alkali. By treating the ashes
of sea-weed in the same way a similar effect was pro-
duced, the alkali formed in this instance being soda.
These alkalies, it is well known, were discovered
by Sir Humphrey Davy to be oxides of metallic
bases, possessing many properties alike ; the peculiar
characteristics of the two being that they inflame on
coming into contact with water. Potassium being
the lighter, floats and burns on the surface of water,
sodium sinks to the bottom, and as it rapidly absorbs
the oxygen of the water the hydrogen is liberated,
and may be burned by the application of a taper, as
the bubbles rise to the surface. Potass and soda may
indeed be regarded as merely the ashes formed by the
combustion of their metallic bases, which,have too
great an affinity for oxygen to be preserved uncon-
sumed in nature. That very peculiar substance,
iodine, was first discovered among the ashes of sea-
weed, as explained by Professor Faraday, who per-
formed many experiments to illustrate its remarkable
properties. He pointed out numerous other in-
stances of the importance of ashes, which, though
usually considered mere useless refuse, serve
many valuable purposes. Even glass may be
considered as formed entirely of ashes. Among
other substances which are the refuse of . com-
bustion—therefore, "ashes "—he mentioned the
vast masses of volcanic lava and meteoric stones.
In conclusion, he remarked on the difficulty of find-
ing new subjects for illustration in a course of lectures ,
and he had feared that his audience would have been
disappointed with the little of novelty which he bad
been able to bring before them. Though the sources
of novelty in science seemed to be nearly exhausted,
he was happy to find, from the attendance with which
they had honoured him, that the sources of their
favour were not yet dried up.

THE CITY ARCHITECT.—A high compliment was
paid to this gentleman on Wednesday last by the presenta-
tion of a valuable piece of plate, weighing 222 ounces of silver,
for services which are sufficiently indicated by the inscrip-
tion :—" Presented to J. B. Bunning, Esq., by the coal-factors
and merchants of the city of London, as a testimonial of
their admiration of his genius and judgment in the erection
of the Coal Exchange, and of his urbanity throughout the
progress of a structure which is not more approved of by
those for whose use and convenience it was designed than by
the public at large, for its taste and elegance as a work of
art. Anno Domini MDCCCL." The plate was presented
by Mr. Harris, as the organ of the coal-factors, with an
appropriate speech. In addition to this pleasing compliment
to Mr. Bunning the coal-factors and merchants have signed
a declaration for presentation to the corporation of the City
of their satisfaction with all the accommodations provided
for them by means of the New Coal Exchange, which they
attribute to a union of talent on the part of the architect,
which has enabled him to produce an edifice, which, whilst
it embodies all the requirements of the coal-factors and mer-
chants as men of business, is, at the same time, in design,
taste, and judgment, the admiration of the numerous stran-
gers who daily visit it as one of the chief objects of interest
and of art in the city of London.

ZOOLOGICAL SOCIETY OF LONDON.—At the monthly
general meeting held yesterday at the society's house in
Ilamver-square, Mr. E. J. Budge in the chair, Mr. W. H.
Twentyman, Dr. George Fripp, and Mr. Edward Lomax,
were elected as Fellows. and Miss Bertrand, Mr. A. N.
Arinini, Mr. W. Page Wood, 11. P., Mr. Richard Blake-
more, M.P., Mr. James Taylor, Mr. John Thrupp, and Mr.
J. I'. Stocker, proposed for election at the next meeting.
The report of the council stated that the visitors to the
gardens in the month of May amounted to 39,977, being
an increase of 21,658 over the corresponding month of 1849.
The visitors from the Ist to the sth of June amounted to
14,600.

ROYAL ASYLUM OF ST. ANN'S SOCIETY.—The
anniversary festival of this long-established charity was held
on Wednesday evening at the London Tavern, and was very
well attended. Viscount Fielding occupied the chair, and
the proceedings were of the usual character on similar occa-
sions. The children of the asylum, including 180 boys and
107 girls, were introduced into the dining- hall during th•
evening, and their cleanly and healthy appearance excitod
general approbation. The Noble Chairman made a strong
appeal to the benevolence of the company on behalf of the
charity, and the secretary, Mr. Leeks, was able in conse-
quence to announce a list of subscriptions amounting alto-
gether to 1,5631. Over the festivities of the evening Mr.
Harker presided as toastmaster. All the arrangements con-
nected with the dinner were in the usual excellent style of
the London Tavern.

AIANCIIESTER TRADE RIPORT, JUNE 6.—Busi-
ness to-day has been comparatively at a standstill. In the
yarn market prices at least lAid. over those of last week are
demanded ; holders are firm, and hence little business has
been transacted. Twists, mule and water, partake of the
advance. In the goods market little has been done. It is
said, however, that 40-inch shirtings for the Indian market
are likely to be in demand. Madapollams and 1' cloths are
very quiet. Shirtings are in demand, and stocks generally
are light.
THE IRON TitADß.—Trade in the South Stafford-
shire district ccntinues as dormant as it has been for several
months past, with little or n 9 prospect of improvement. The
fire-brick trade is also very much depressed, owing in a great
measure to the bad state of the iron trade. Many nail-
makers are perambulating the streets and neighbourhood of
strike to from a list of the
kSetoepurobpritighee,,,a.nagdesN.ethletratopnp,enirns,consequence of the
nailmoney-paying trade
the
eand e
gbbmommy-shophood of mastersndandey. t
e factorsou out of
inof timete
eighty-eight nail masters and factors, fifty-eight are tommy
or truck-dealers, and thirty only pay their workmen in cash
—Worcester Chronicle.
THE NEEDLE
TRADE.--The trade of RAetddAitice
h is
in a most flourishing condition at present, especially in the
common descriptions of goods - an article for some time con-
sidered as all but lost to the town. The stampers and other
classes of workpeople have, we hear, demanded and obtained
Nachv
cc
rrey considerablethese
artisans
chiefly advance in
reside,the it with the greatest
th
eir prices
difficulty, even with the promise of advanced prices, that
parties can be engaged to undertake a given amount of work,
where, twelve months ago, almost any quantity could have
Orders have
11 acturers at Red-
ditch, been
been producedneceseari
ya t
declined
lshortined notice.the ISmiaannyflarge
ditch, from inability to complete them in time.— Worcester
Chronicle.

DUBLIN, THURSDAY MORNING.—The weather has
undergone another naost favourable change. After some
eight or nine days of strong sunshine, the weather became
cool. Yesterday
shower of rain fell. This morning is showery,. Nothing
evening, and towards nightfall, a refreshing
could be better timed for the husbandmen than these alter-
nations from sunshine and heat to gentle moisture.
MARLBOROUGH-STREET POLICE REPORT.— We
have received the following communication in referen_cre to our
Marlborough-street Police report of Tuesday :_.Melv• iimihno
Singleton presents his compliments to the edito.rtoaf Thee
pearwith as
.Nun, and will feel much obliged by_his lettinegoin
gl —t
)Pwas not the
little delay as possible that he (M
wpoonsiltdiohnma.et
giveienrtllbemoraonoghw-lastoreaeptpoenar
ttention called to the o-
written before, but only h his Thursday,rralSiiinegreatonnt
lice report this morning.—
Bedford-row.
moral sentiment is a region of
The atmosphere of
34, Great James-street,
Tedueisndaync:
grandeur which reduce
II material magnificence to toys, yet
!,nlelvizearycwoorke,tschjots ahuamtahl.
FLOEICULTURAL CURIOSITY.—In the garden of
as reason the doors of the uni-
verse.
‘ol:lerresn eNs.VilliambyAblilceenm,
etn description,ailor, Ashbo
with four perfect
rne-road,
now. in full bloom and in a good state, a very fine tulip of
the flamed
on
s LAND.—A vessel
arrived from Launceston, Van Diemen's Land, has brought
358 quarters of wheat consigned, and also 287 quarters of
esEtA em.r.— Fit.Doem r by
VAN shire Chronicle.
DiEmE
.;ull,
wheat to orcer, as a portiun of her cargo, the produce of that
distant colony. This is an unusually large supply of grain
from Van Diemen's Land, the importations from that place
generally being made in bag,s to a limited extent, and the
present large arrival in bulk from that quarter is, therefore,
of some interest and importance.
THE QUEEN'S COLLEGE IN IRELAND.--The Free-
man's Journal says that the Roman Catholic Primate has
recently received a decisive letter from Rome, declaring that
Roman Catholic clergymen cannot hold utlice, in or other-
wise be instrumental in advancing the project of the Queen's
Colleges in Ireland, and that the Roman Catholic laity are
prohibited from sending their youth to those colleges for
education.
AGRICULTURAL " DISTRESS." —A striking exempli-
fication of the terrible destitution to which the agricultural
class in this part of the kingdom is reduced was given in our
Commercial-Rooms on Wednesday morning. The reversion
Ple (expectant upon the decease of a
nan estate of 119 acres, in the
olardryem now aindaegredin7ofe years)e-sim i
parishes of Marlborough and West Advington, Devon, was
sold by Mr. Harril, after a spirited competition, for 3,020/.
the reserved price being put at 1,5001. The value in fee wee
4,*001.....Nri5t0/ AhrcurY, • -- : id. s./s 1, „1,1 eq.4,1 J. J. ,