The Sun.
London, England, 1842-08-23 00:00:00

ELECTRICAL SOCIETY.

AUG. 16. 1842.—Read, first, a letter from Walter
Hawkins, Esq., Member of the Electrical Society,
F.S.A., &c., relative to the Non-protection of Public
Buildings in the Metropolis from the Effects of
Lightning.
2dly.—On the Formation of Ferric Acid by Voltaic
Action, by Mr. G. Mackerel, Member of the Elec-
trical Society.
3dly.—An Account of the Dissection of a Gym-
notus Electricus, by Mr. Henry Letheby, A.L.S.
We, must refer our readers to the Transactions of
the Society; for the manner in which the author of
this paper-describes his reasons for believing that the
gymnotus derives its electricity from the brain and
spinal cord, and that the nervous and electrical organs
are identical. The paper was divided into three parts
—lst, the anatomy of the fish; 2dly, the electrical
properties ; and, idly, whether the former afforded
any clue to the comprehension of the latter. The
anatomical division went to show that the electrical
organs were not superadditions of a peculiar structure,
but the result of an increased development of the
aponeurtic intermuscular septa. The second division
of the subject had relation principally to the experi-
ments of Williamson, Humboldt, and Faraday, on the
Mmnutus, and to those of Walsh, Todd, Davy,
ittebei, and others on the torpedo, which fully
proved that the phenoniena of these fishl were anala-
-ous to those of ordinary electricity. The third di-
;slim of the subject, whether the anatomical investi-
gation offered any explanation of the phenomena, was
disciissed at some length. The two principal facts
resulting from dissection were, that in all electrical
fish, there were organs made up of a aponeurotic septa,
containing an albtunino-gelatinous fluid, and these
were largely supplied by nervous branches, the supply,
indeed, being much greater than the wants of the part
for the purposes of life. The author concludes his
paper with the following deductions :-1. All vitality
is the result of chemical action—electricity is the re-
sult of chemical action ; 2. The vital force in motion
effects combination (nutrition and reproduction), and
decomposition (muscular action, &c.)—electricity in
motion effects combination and decomposition ; 3.
During the perforthance of the vital functions, elm-.
tricitfhas been detected -in warm-blooded animals.
Electricity sent along nerves gives rise to phenomena
in. the living organism not to be distinguished from
vital ; 4. The phenomena of the gymnotus and
torpedo have been proved to be electrical, and reasons
were adopted for showing that these emanated from
the brain and cord.

MANI: F A CTURED GOODS FOR EXPORT.—The al-
most total suspension of business itl Manchester during a
second week has almost stopped the transit of goods in-
tended for shipment Very few have been sent off, and
vessels have either been prevented from sailing or have
been delayed beyond the appointed time by the non-ar-
rival of goods. Business in Manchester will. it is hoped,
be resumed to-day, and trade run once more in its accus-
tomed channel.—Liverpool Albion.
We have learnt within the last few days that Lord
John Russell has signified to Lord Palmerston, in an-
swer to representations made by the latter, as to the ne-
cessity of the Liberals advancing with the popular feel-
ing, that, closely connected as he (Lord John Russell) is
with the Bedford family, he could not consent to be a
party to further reform ; and thatetherefore he thinks it
were better if the Opposition would 'Jut* out for some
other leader before the ceminencement of another Par-
liamentary campaign. —Morning Adver. tiser. •
THE AGE or INTELLECT.—On Tuesday evening
last, a " grand hoax" and act of swindling was .p2ayed
off on the credulity of the good folk of the town of
Penrith, in Cumberland, by a swell-mob-raise-the-wino.
blackleg, calling himself Wainwight, the greatest magi-
cian in the world. He caused a number of hand-bills
to be circulated through the town, setting forth that he
would perform several incredible tricks, never before
attempted by the most learned of the Magi ; among
which was, that he would cut off a man's head, without
his ever knowing or feeling it, and replace it again. In
the evening the audience attended, at the large assembly
rooms, in the Duke of Devonshire's George Inn, kept by
Mr. John Watson, from whom he received two shillings
a piece ; and the time to commence the performance
having arrived, Wain‘vright left the door, where he had
robbingbeen the money; and proceeded behind the
scenes, and all were gaping on the tiptoe of expectation;
but, alas ! the curtain was not drawn ; and the company
getting impatient, the magician was frequently called,
but never made his appearance. On examination, how-
ever, it was found that he had fled down stairs, and
made his escape out of the town. taking with him about
51., leaving the room, his lodgings, and the printer's bills
unpaid. Afterwards the magician was seen on the road
to Kendal, making his way with all speed.
CAPT. MARRTAT.—The reading public will be
delighted to hear that they are about to be presented
with a new work of fiction from the pen of this popular
writer, which is announced for publication anti the
Magazines, on the Ist of September. This forthcoming
production is called " Percival Keene," a title which
seems to promise that the hero is a. sort of antithesis to
the well-known " Peter Simple." If this really be the
case, the Gallant Captain's numerous readers will
doubtless have to congratulate themselves on as great a
store of amusement as was derived from the adventures
of that universal favourite "Peter" himself. In many
points of excellence, as a writer of fiction, Capt. Marrvat
holds high rank among our living authors ; but, in the
humourous pourtrayal of the vicissitudes of life at sea,
he is without a rival ; and as most of the incidents in
Percival Keene's. career are said to take place on ship-
board, the admirers of the Captain's nautical sketches
are likely to be gratified to their hearts' content.
SIGIIT AND Heartesa.—ln consequence of the
great inconvenience felt, attended with injurious effects, to per-
sons' e‘e-sight in the country, by their not being enabled to he
properly suited with spectacles, &v., and which have come
under the notice (to some extent) ut the iblcssrs. S. and IL
8,40m„„5, opticians, &c., 39 Albemarle-street, Piccadilly, op-
posite the York Hotel, and 76 King William-street, Cry ; they
have contrived a plan by which individual: at the most remote
part of the globe can be suited with their Newly-invented Spew
tacles, as correct 35 if the person were present ; those whir
have never made use of spectacles, stating the numb' r of inches
they can see moderate sized print from the eye, and tho'c who
are making use of spectacles, by sending them, and making the
same statement when in use. Immediately the Neuly-invented
Spectacles are placed before imperfect vision, that mist and
dullness which appear before the eyes is at once removed ' •
every object becomes clear and distinct, so that the most aged,
imperfect sight, becomes bright and brilliant, and is brought to
its youthful, natural, and original state. Their Sound Alagni-
fiers Invisible Voice Conductors, will enable persons at an ad-
vanced age, and of forty and fifty years' standing of extreme
deafness to join in general conversation, and to catch the toned
of a distant, low speaker, at a public assembly. They arc not
in the last perceptible, nor more uncomfortable than having a
small piece of fine wool in its place. The Sound Magnifiers,
Invisible Voice Conductors, and Spectacles, are sent daily (by
post) to various parts of the country. 39 Albemarle-street,
Piecadit]v, opposite. the -York Hotel, and 76 King William.
Slut, C....-No connexion with persons of the same use.

Him; AA, ATER AT LONDON BRIDGE THIS DAY.
Morning...—. 10 minutes after 3 I Evening .... 24 minutes after 3.