The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1836-10-11 00:00:00

THE LIVERPOOL STANDARD.

tion. (Cheers.) As a body, the House of Peers had done its
duty, and had supported the cause which they hoped to see
flourish in this country. He would particularise one who had
stood forward in that cause in the House of Peers in a most sa-
tisfactory manner, it wns Lord Lyndhurst. (Great cheeritur.)
He was sure it would take more Oratory than he was possessed
of, to mention the fine speeches which Lord Lyndhurst had de-
livered in that House. He thanked goodness, however, that
they were handed down to posterity, and he doubted not but
that posterity would rightly appreciate them. He begged to
propose " Lord Lyndhurst, and the House of Peers." Given
with three times three, and one cheer more.
LORD DELAMERt rose to return thanks for the honour done
to the honourable House of which he was a member. (Cheers.)
He could say but little on the subject ; but this he could say,
that were every Conservative Lord present, and Lord Lynd-
hurst at their head, they would feel proud and delighted at the
approbation shown of their conduct by so numerous and re-
spectable a body of guntlemen-as were there assembled toge-
ther. lie must further add, though it becomes him to state it,
that he was one who did think that the Lords had done their
duty. (Great cheering.) And he would say, they had nobly
done it. They had not done it vexatiously ; there had been no
vexatious opposition to any succession of good, done for the

purpose of teasing or harrassing Government ; no opposition
had ever been made to any measure, but that measure which
had been considered by the Conservative House of Lords, as
trenching on their privileges, and on the principles on which
the Constitution stands. (Great cheering.)
The CHAIRMAN said, the next toast was the health of that
great statesman, whom the,• all admired, and whom they all
respected and loved ; he would propose the health of " Sir Ro-
bert Peel.' (Great Cheering ) And he begged leave to attach
to it "the Conservative members of the House of Commons."

Given amidst loud cheering.
Lord COLE said he had been- called upon to return thanks
but it ill became him to do.it having a senior member of that
house on his right hand, and a friend of theirs on his left, who
he believed was in Parliament before either of them were either
born or thought of. (Laughter.) He felt sorry that he, had
accepted the Chiltern Hundreds not many months ago. He
had, however, done his best. He only wished they had in the
House of Commons such a majority ae they had in the House
of Lords. It, however, belonged to them to give that majority,
if they would but register, register, as a friend of his had said,
" agitate, agitate" in Ireland. if they would but register,
register, register, with such a man as Sir Robert Peel at their
head, they would be able to save the country. If they did not
register they would continue just as they were at present. On
the part of Sir Robert Peel and the Conservative Members of
the House of Commons he
.begged to return them his hearty
thanks. (Cheers.)
Glee—" Hail smiling Morn."
The CRALIIMIN, in proposing the 'next toast said, he always
thought of men as he found them. The Conservative members
of the county had done their duty most conscientiously, most
faithfully, and most honourably. (Cheers.) They deserved
well of their country and of tbat county in particular. (Cheers.)
He believed he was right when he said that no Conservative
member of that county had ever accepted office, 'and yet they
were called ultra-greedy Tories, anxious for place. This was
the abuse which their enemies put on them. He defied them
however, to prove it. He begged to propose the good healtt;
of the Conservative Members of this good Conservative Count_
connected with the house of Oulton and Sir Phillip Egerton.
(Loud cheering.)
Sir Pitt LIP EGERTON rose to return thanks, and was
with loud cheering. He said it was with feelings of the greatest
satisfaction that lie rose to acknowledge the honour conferred
upon hint. He hoped he might interpret the kind manner in
which they had received his name into satisfaction at his con-
duct during the last twelve months, and that his services during
that time had met with their approbation. (Cheers.) This
was the only occasion which was vouchsafed unto him—this
was the only meeting by which he was to estimate how far his
exertions had been received by them with approbation, and how
far the conduct he had pursued in his parliamentary duties had
given satisfaction. (Cheers.) Since be last had had the
hu-
pour of addressing them, a session of parliament had passed
over their heads of extraordinary exertion and devotion—one

in which they had attended to their duties by day and night.
They had sat in committees in the mornings, and:in the house
fill two, three, and four o'clock in the mornings—(hear)—
anxious to watch the proceedings of an administration which
had ever been ready to introduce the most mischievous mea-
sures at the latest hours—(cheers)—when they have thought by
their perseverance to weary out the spirits of the conservatives.
They had felt this at times like this,when they had always been
in a minority on every division. They might have felt at such
times a despondency creeping over them ; they should have.
felt it had they nor been aware that there was another house—
(hear)—that the measures introduced -into that house had to
pass through another tribunal. Had it not been for that recol-
lection we might have lapsed into despondency and deserted
our posts ; but we have been cheered on by by seeing the man •
nil stand that has been made-by the House of !'errs,-(eries of

" Bravo")—by being cheered on to fresh exertions b 7 seeing
that that legislature, fully aware of their prOceedings, had not
been actuated by factious opposition to ministers in power, but
solely the internal good of the country and of a conscientious
feeling of what was due to the nation at large. (Loud cheers.)
And if they have not followed the example of -the ministers and
of the House of Commons in truckling to the vices of the radi-
cals—the most dangerous section of them—he had almost said,
the tail, as this part of the House of Commons could only be
likened to the tail. But the conservative members bad been
carried on by still farther views ; they had not merely looked
to the House of Lords—they had looked to themselves and to
their country when they saw constituencies at Essex, at North-
ampton, at South Lancashire, and at Newcastle sending con-
servative members to parliament at the first opportunity ; they
were aware that it was not only by the House of Lords, but it
was by the constituency of this country that they were upheld,
and by the members which that constituency sent to the House
of Commons. (Loud cheering.( He feared, however, he was
trespassing on their time. (loud cries of " Go on !") and he
feared he was introducing politics on an occasion when, per-
haps, they had better not have been so introduced. (Continued
cries of " No.") There were times and occasions when all the
best, and loyal, and kindly feelings of their hearts would arise,
and although those occasions might be few and far between,
yut this was it more powerful reason why they should estimate
them aright when they did arise ; and he considered this as
one of those occasions when he was able to meet his conserva-
tive friends at the head of their constituencies. When he looked
beyond the walls of that room, he saw conservative associa-
tions spreading rapidly through the lower orders. They saw
last week the tradesmen of Liverpool formed into an associa-
tion numbering a thousand membeis, in addition to the Newton
conservative meeting.- • (Loud and continued cheers.) When
he saw ccinservatism inarehing so rapidly through the country,
lie could not help feeling
_that if an opportunity should occur of
appealing to the constituencies of the country. that they must be
victorious_ If England should be on their side, who should
prevail against them ? Cheers.; He would ask them to look
at the insures, at the cause, and he was proud to see those
members who were divided into various slight points of differ-

once uniting. He would ask them to study the records of these
names with which they were connected, to prepare themselves
for the event of a dissolution. (Cheers.) He would hail them
to see who were the friends of the church, he would advise
them to search into the votes of their members, and if they
were acquainted with hustings pledges, whether proferred sup-
porters of the established church had been true to their word,
(Loud cheering,) that he considered to be the main objects of
meetings of associations like that, he felt very strongly on this
point. Of course it was a subject of the greatest pleasure to
hire to see column after column, and page after page of the
newspapers filled with conservative speeches, and he must con-
gratulate them and their conservative friends of the country,
on the rapid spread of conservative principles. The honour-
able gentlemen sat down amidst loud cheering and clapping of
hands.
SIR PHILLIP EGERTON, of Tattoo, rose to return thanks on
behalf of his son, Wilbralinin Egerton, Esq. his son, who was
unavoidably ebsent, they might believe him that his son entered
warmly into the conservative cause, that his heart was with
them, and that he had supported the conservative measures
that hail been brought forward in the House of Commons iri
every way. In his name he begged to return them his warmest
thanks for the kind compliment they had paid him, they would
allow him also to say that it was extremely gratifying to him to
see so many respectable men assembled there that day. to see
so many there supporting his son, who had so kindly supported.
bins for so many years. (Cheers.)
The Cum UNIAN rose to propose the health of a worthy Ba-
ronet who had sat [Deny years in parliament, and who had al-
ways !supported the conservative cause, he begged to propose
the health of Sir Robert W. Vaughan—(great cheering)—and
the Conservative associations in the principality.
Sir R. Veucinae acknowledged the toast, and begged to
propose the health of the noble chairman, which was given
with three cheers and conservative honours.
The CHAIRMAN said, in the first place he had to thank the
worthy baronet for proposing his health, and the company for
the very flattering manner in which they had received it. It
was to hint always an unpleasant teak to speak of self : on other
subjects he was not much in the habit of public speaking, and
he experienced no difficulty ; but when he was personally con-
cerned, and on occasions like that, he did find it most difficult.
He would assure them it was impossible for him to evpress
how deeply he felt the honour he had conferred upon him.
He would assure them, that highly honoured as he felt at being
appointed President of that good conservative association two
days before, he had been in such a state of health, that he
almost feared that he would have been obliged to decline time
honour of attending on that day,but so good a cause as this was,
and the delights which he knew he should feel on meeting his
Conservative friends there had carried him through, and enabled
him to preside there that day. He hoped that they should meet
in Letter and happier times. The good cause was now prosper-
ing:. he thought by the next meetinc, which they should hold
the good sense of the country woulehave returned. A great
change had taken place, and he thought that in less than twelve
months the re-action would be completed. lie would only ex-
plain the necessity of opening the eyes of the people and letting
them•know who were their enemies, and who were their friends.
Dont let the people look upon them as they were taught by their
enemies eo do, as greeeiv and ultra Tories, under whose mis-
rule the country had suffered so much ; they talked of the ex-
pense of the war, owing to Tory misrule and to Tory extrava-
gance. lie should be glad to know if the Whigs had been in
power, in what situation this country would have been—(hear)
—this country would at that moment have been a province of
France. Nothing but the great efforts of this country had saved
Europe. No doubt it had been attended wirh great expense.
John Bull was obliged to bleed. (Laughter and Cheers.)
into
had
had a
But he would say that he had value received, that he had some-
thing for his money, that his country was served. (Cheers.)
The present ministers were very likely people to get u
scrape—to bring on a general war ; but they were the last peo-
ple in the country to get them out of it. (Cheers.) leshe
had a specimen of their abilities in that way in the year 1802 ;
they then made an attemt, they tried their hand, and what was
the consequence ? They had list] au armistice it was true—they
had had whet was called a peace—the country was obliged to
pay a considerable army at that time. And what wes the con-
sequence ? They were at a considerable expense to renew this
war, and nothing but the perseverance of the greedy tories
again brought the country out of her difficulties. (Loud cheers.,
He begged once more to return them his most hearty thank,
for the honour they had done him. (Cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN then gave " The Lord Lieutenant of the
County." Given with three times three.
Glee—" Huzza for Old England."
The CHAIRMAN then begged topropose „'The health of the
Lord Bishop of time Diocese and the Clergy,'' which was given
with three times three.
The Rev. JAMES MAINVVARING rose to respond to the toast.
He said it was with feelings of heartfelt thanks that he rose to
acknowledge the handsome manner in which they had drank
his health It had not been in accordance with his wishes
to obtrude himself in such a prominent situation, neither should
he have obtruded himself if he had not seen no competent per-
son to discharge the duties that had devolved upon him.
(Cheers.) He should not, however, be doing justice to that
meeting or to the profession of which he was an humble
member if he were to remain content with this simple
statement, and not advert to some circumstances, which at
this moment seem more peculiarly to effect the existence of
the church. He had heard the charge of unpopularity against
the clergy,
and he had heard, likewise, of the danger that
threatens the establishment. With regard to the first charge,

he never could believe it, when he had seen such a glow of
feeling so decidedly contrary that night. He was perfectly
aware that they were not in odour with n certain class of peo-
ple in this country, but who they were, or what even their op-
positions, not only against the church, but against the other
institutions of the state, he would not venture to state. But
to their motto, "Laudari a lauclai6 biro." 'file exalted in rank,
in future, and the spread of religion and morality. To this
class of people, be believed they could advance a just claim,
and for the truth of what he now asserted, he would only refer
to the good feelings and good persona which actuated the
friends of the church, in every question that concerned the
church. He would not remain content with this. but he could
refer them to the exertions of their late respected diocesan io
the metropolis, and they would see there an unanimity of pur-
pose, and a readiness on the part of the laity to forward every
scheme which could advance the church. He would only refer
them to their own metropolis of Lancashire, and they would
see there what bad been done, in a very short space of time.
They had to congratulate the friends of the church, in that
great mart of commerce. for nobly and benevolently coining
forwards in behalf of national education, on the principals of
the church of England. He could multiply instances of good
feeling towards the church, not being so looked upon.—
Were they to seek out certain of the deserving clergy
elsewhere recommended -by testimonies of respect and
approbation by those around them. Should it then be said
that there was any unpopular, or any unkindly feeling against
the church? Were these facts any thing like symptoms of dis-
approbation ? He thought then that did away with the other
charge of unpopularity. They had now come to the charge of
the danger which threatened the establishment. That he was
perfectly aware was hardly thought of, and he should treat the
advocates of that doctrine in a similar way. From whence
then were they to apprehend any danger ; was it from societies?
Was it from an assemblage like that which he had the honour
of addressing ? Was it from the concentrated loyalty of those
by whom they were now surrounded ? Was it from these ranks
of society whom they saw daily rally round the institutions of
their country ? Was it from the Monarch who was sworn to
protect the church ? or was it from the power of lords who had
more than once interposed and struggled to save them ?—( Hear,
and cheers ) Would to God it were riot in the other horse,
they would all offer a heartfelt prayer that they might return to
a kindly feeling towards them. The morn which had bung
over them was now about to burst, hut they were in the hands
of one who " Could confront the whirlwind and direct the
storm."—(Hear.) The trial he confessed bad been a severe
one, but still he hoped that they might work through, and if it
was viewed right by the members of the establishment, he had
no doubt but that they should occupy a proper situation, a si-
tuation superior to any which they had yet occupied.—(Cheers )
He was afraid that he had too long trespassed on their atten-
tion, but he trusted that the occasion which brought them there
this night, would prove his best apology for any prolixities of
speech. He could only say as he had begun on behalf of his
brethren the clergy, that he humbly thanked them.--(Loud
cheering.)
The CHAIRMAN said it was with great diffidence that he pro-
posed the next toast, insomuch as the noble, gallant, and illus-
trious persotr whom he was about to give had always been his
best of friends, and, therefore, he would rather that the toast
had been given by some other person less connected with him
than himself. He also regretted it, because he had not the
ability to do justice to the toast which he was about to give.
He had known that illustrious personage ever since he had en-
tered the army, which was not a very short period. (Cheers
He knew him, and they all knew him to be a true friend to his
country. Fie was ready to step forward, and always had been
and ever would be so long as he had life and health to do it, in
defence of his country either at home or abroad. The country,
he hoped, would long look tip to that great Man in time of
need. It might yet happen that his exertions might be called
forth again. Should they ever be placed in a general war again,
there was no individual in this country they had to look to but
the noble duke. (Great cheering.) The noble duke had been
opposed by the enemies of the country; he had been abused by
them in all societies—all radical. societies ;he had been abused
and held up •to the populace its an object for their hatred and
abhorrence. Could 'these people be called true Englishmen ?
could they possess any gratitude when they spoke of the noble,
duke in this way ? (Loud cries of " No.") But he was above
all abuse—he was above all that the faction could do to lower
him. ' (Loud Cheering.) Let hint go front one end of the king-
dom to the other at this very moment, and he would ha most
rapturously and enthusiastically received. (Cheers.) Ple beg-
ged to propose to them " the health of the Duke of Welling-
ton." The toast %Vita given with four times four, with conserva-
tive honotirs.
The CHAIRMAN next proposed." the health of the- Vice Pre-
sidents," which was given with three times threee.
The Honourable HUGH CHOLMONDELEY rose to respond to
the toast on behalf-of his brother Vice-presidents and himself, he
begged to return them his most sincere thanks for the kind
manner in which they had drank his health. He had no doubt
that they would all concur with him in the most hearty good
wishes towards the cause they were all met to commemorate.—
(Hear.) With respect to himself, since the last year nothing
had occurred to make any change in the sentiments he then ex-
pressed to them, but he could riot sit down without expressing
his gratification at seeing himself surrounded by so ❑umerorrs
and so respectable an assemblage, it was an earnest of the
triumph of the conservative cause, which was progressing
strongly throughout the whole of this great kingdoM. (Loud
cheering. If those who identified themselves with the cause,
if those who called themselves conservatives would but unite,
if they would but think that this was no time to talk of slight
and small differences of opinion, if they would but consent to
sacrifice those tine and wire drawn differences, in one word, if
they would but unite hand and heart and fight the common
cause against the common foe, (Great cheering,) they would
most assuredly succeed. tie had only to repeat his acknow-
ment for the honour they had conferred upon him, and begged
most heartly to drink their good healthy. (Cheers.)
Dow COLE then rose and said, as the Chairman had been
kind enough to allow him to propose n toast, he would proceed
to do so. It might be prefaced, that it was a toast that every
Englishmen ought to drink. He would give " Protestant
Ascendancy in Church and State." Given with three times
hree. (Cheers )
The CHAIRMAN begged to- propose " Prosperity to Agricul-
nre and extension to Commerce," which was drank with loud

cheers.
The CHAIRMAN would give a toast, whieh he was sure every
person present, and every true Englishman, would drink with
delight. It was the standing toast of their good and gracious
Monarch, " The Land we lire in."
Sir RICHARD Bitootis begged to propose the health of a
friend of his, and a friend of his country, Lord Delaniere.
(Loud cheers.)
Loan DELA:MERE, in responding to the toast, said, in the
first place, he has to thank his friend, Sir Richard Brooks, for
the very kind manner in which he had proposed his health, and
be had to thank the company for the manner in which it had
been received. lie could only say, that it was no trifling
honour they had conferred upon him, and the compliment was
the more gratifying, as it led him to here die satisfaction of
thinking that be had their approbation in the little in which he
had beets able to do towards the preservation of those principles
on which their Constitution was founded, and by which it must
be maintained. Since he had last had the honour of address-
ing them, whatever had occurred in Parliament or elsewhere,
had only carried further conviction trellis mind of the necessity
and of the utility of such meetings as the present one—(cheers)
—and he was delighted to find that they were becoming gene-
ral, or nearly so, throughout the kingdom; for, he trusted, nay,
he felt confident, that they would be the means of stimulating
to active exertion persons of all ranks and parties. (Cheers.)
He could assure them that he wished he was wrong in that
statement, that there was never a moment of time when exer-
tions of all sorts in this cause were inure called for. For the
Minister that was going about preaching a reform and changing
all things, and disturbance of every class and description, had
not forsaken his vocation—but had been kept in more active
play, he was sorry to say, by the assistance and connivance, in
fact, by the exertions of the present Government. (Hear and
cheers.) Ile knew that the House of Peers, to whom they had
done an honour that day, and Conservatives generally, would
be proud to hear of it, though the House of Lords had done its
duty, and, as he before said, nobly done its duty—yet, without
their assistance—without the vigorous and energetic exertions
of the whole people of England—their cause would fail. (Hear.)
It was not a trifling question that was under consideration, as
to whether Whig or tory should have the ascendancy and ride
the reigns of government. The question was of a tar greater
impirt. He himself cared little whether of the two was at the
head, provided the constitution of the country was not lost.
(Hear.) Their state was all that they honoured in the land,
that was worth everything ; their religion, their laws, their pro-
perty were all, as he before said, that they were now contend -
ing tor, and if they were apathetic they would lose them. He
was aware that he was trespassing upon their time. (Loud
cries of `No.") He was aware that Ire was tryinge
their
t he
tience—(" no")—on merely repeating before h had
honour of addressing to them about this time last year ; but.
his mind was so convinced on this subject, arid he felt so
anxious fur the cause itself; so firmly was he convinced, that
nothing but the energetic exertions of the .people of England
could bring them through the present scrape of the great cause
they were engaged in, which he nmst plead as his excuse, and
he had no other. (Cheers ) The assemblage there that day
was most gratifying, and he fervently from his soul wished them
joy upon the occasion, and it delighted his heart to see the •
numbers and respectability of those whom he now had the
ho
nour of addressing. Let them unite, as his son said ; he agreed
with him most perfectly ; but fet them unite and let then, en-
deavour, and struggle to their utmost to relieve themselves from
the difficulties into which they had been forced by ri diabolical
faction—(hear)—who wished brit to destroy the country, to an-
nihilate their constitution, and to introduce a republic.
(Hear.)
If they did this, he had no doubt as to the event—they would
succeed: perhaps this desirable event might not take place in
his time, but it would be the source of heart-felt comfort to him-
self to think that those he left behind would enjoy the benefits
of a constitution founded on the bests of a most relie,sus
ple and upon a solid politicsai foundation. It wouldglad-
den his heart to think that they would all enjoy What had been
his pride throughout his life, and which had rendered him hapPY
in living in a country which pre-eminently surpassed- in happi-
ness—in glory aunt in power, in every human thing that could
be mentioned, all the rest of the world. (Cheers.)
The ()llama aN begged to propose the health of Sir Harry
Mainwaring and the Cheshire Hounds. (Given with Collier-
vaiiye honours.)
Sir Hama MAINWARING returned thank& He congratu-
lated the meeting that the company assembled was much larger
than on the preceding year, and he was certain, if conservatism
went on spreading as it had done, that room would not hold
them. BM he would remind them that that was not to he Ob-
tained by drinking success to their cause and cheering then
it wan to be effected by each member exerting himself in pro.
curing vote's and registering them, reecollccting that their
opponents were working hard, Let them work hard, and the
more they beat them, the greater would be their honour. (Loud
cheers.)
The CHAIRMAN then proposed the president elect, Lord de
Tabley, who responded to the toast Ls our reporter left the
room, at half-past ten o'clock.

THEATRE ROYAL.—The romantic opera of " Fra Diavolo"
was performed last evening. The engagement of Mr. and Mrs
Wood attracted a very fashionable and numerous audience.—
The mnsic was of a first-rate character, and reflects ,"rent cre-
dit upon Mr. Aldridge, the leader of the orchestra. Mr. Wood
was in splendid voice, and quite at home. The opera itself was
calculated to display the talents of this eminent singer to great
advantage. Mrs. Wood, however, was the great attraction.—
Her reception was most gratifying, and several times during
the evening she was most rapturously encored. Mr. Brough,
who has been also engaged, sustained his part with his usual
ability. A series of operas will be brought out during Mr. and
Mrs. Wood's engagement, which will afford a rich treat to the
lovers of musical science.

MR. CHARLES KEAN AND Mit. STUART.—We are glad to see
these gentlemen mentioned together in sorb honourable terms
by a London contemporary, (the Observer.) The former is al-
ready known to a London audience, both by his father's fame
and his own ; and the latter, whenever opportunity may serve
in the metropolis,
characters in which they are spoken of, are Othello, Kean ;
needs only to be seen to meet success. The
lago, Stuart—Lear, Kean ; Edgar, Stuart.

LECTURES ON OPTICS, MECHANICS' INSTITUTION.

On Wednesday Evening, Robert Addams, Esq., of London,
celebrated for his lectures on natural philosophy, commenced n
course of ten lectures on optics, at the Mechanics' Institution, to
a crowded audience, which he 'illustrated with a nubber of
beautiful and conclusive experiments. There are few lecturers
who possess such an admirable collection of apparatus as that
which Mr. Addatns exhibits during his lectures.
Light, he observed, is obtained from the leminons bodies of
the heavens, and from the combustion of gaseous matter. In
the latter, its intensity is dependent upon certain portions of
solid matter contained in it. Thus coal gas is a compound of
carbon and hydrogen. Hydrogen is the most inflammable of al'
gasses, but it burns with so feeble a light that we can scarcely
see it ; but if we mix hydrogen with charcoal it will enter into
Combination with it, and produce the intense light we nightly
observe in our streets. This intensity is owing to the ignition
of the carbonaceous portion of the gas. Spirits of wine burns
so feebly that we cannot discern the flame in the day time; but
if we mix with it any solid body, it will give increased light.
This Mr. Addams satisfactorily demonstrated by sprinkling
iron filings upon the flame caused by a sponge saturated:with
spirits of wine, which produced brilliant sparks of intense
I white light.
Light may be also produced by motion—by rubbing one
body upon another, especially if we take two pieces of flint or
of lump sugar. If these be rebbid logether in a dark room,
they will produce a pure white light, but faintish in intensity.
That this was the case, Mr. Addams; showed by rubbing two
pieces of quartz (which may be called transparent flint)
together; the light- emitted was sufficient to be readily seen in
the lecture-room. Now it might be asked, in the first instance,
how light is produced in this way ? We might sky, in regard
to the sun, that there is a fluid continually emitted frein it
which causes light ; but where is the light in the substances
we rub ? How is that light produced ? Is it excited by the
motion of rubbing, or does it exist in the mass of the body,
and, if so. how is it brought out ? if we suppose it owing to
motion, we shall then. by and bye, be able to connect it with a
theory affording an explanation of the phenomenon.
There are certain minerals which, if heated to a less degree
than is requisite to make them red hot, will yield a pure and
white light, resembling that emitted by the glowworm. Fluo-
ride of calcium, or Derbyshire spar, and phosphate of lime,
are of this &Ss ; Mr. Addams sprinkled some of their
dust upon a heated iron-plate. which confirmed what lie had
advanced. After these particles have once emitted light in this
manner, they will not again yield it upon a repetition .of the
experiment tiniess in the meantime a current of electricity be
passed through them. This can only be explained by supposing
that the particles undergo a change of shape during their heat-
ing, and that the vibration or motion attending this change of
shape produces the light; that no change of shape attends the
second heating, but that the electric shock, by restoring the
crystalline particles to their original figures again, put them in
a situation for undergoing a change on the application of heat:
The lecturer saw no other mode of accounting fur these' facts,
unless by such a, mode of reasoning.
We may ask then what the cause of light. It isit ques-
tion very easily put but not very easily answered. It has been
cominol for persons to suppose that light is a form of matter,
that it is constituted of minute atoms of matter, which are
shot off from the sun, with the immense velocity of 192,000
miles in one second of time. Now it seems to us almost im-
possible to conceive that particles of matter so uncommonly
small, can be made to travel with such a velocity, although we
know bottling is impossible with the divine being. We know
that if we take a quantity of gunpowder and put it into a can-
non, with a quantity of dust, we shall find upon the discharge
of the powder, that the dust will be ejected a very short distance.
Thus, if we diminish the particles of matter, the less will be
its velocity. And how small must be the particles of light
when they do not injure our eyes or any other article upon
which they impinge with such great velocity. This notion is
opposed by a theory which considers light to be produced like
sound, by a succession of waves set to motion. It would appear
absurd to say that sound assumed. a shape or form. There is
nothing setting cut from. the sun to our eyes, but simply waves
put in motion. But what is put in motion, the theory of undu-
lation supposes that all nature throughout the universe, as well
HS the infinity of. space, is filled with a very refined kind of
fluid, millions of times finer than the common air we breath.
This fluid is called cether for want of a better term. Now this
matter possesses such extreme elasticity, that if it be struck in
any part, the tremor will pass through it at the rate of 192,000
miles in a second, whilst sound only travels 1130 feet in the,
same time, in our atmosphere& mean density. Notwithstanding
this inconceivable speed, it occupies many years, nay centuries
in- coining from some of the luminous bodies in the heavens to
our earth, and it is in reference to these bodies that we are able
to ascertain the velocity of light. One of the principal methods
by which it is.arrived at, is by observing the time at which the
satellites of Jupiter are obscured, and noting the length of time
during which they remain • invisible to us. We find that at one
period of the year, to the earth's revolution round the sun, we
are flinch nearer to Jupiter than at another ; by ascertaining the
difference between the time of the obscuration of the satellites,
which takes place when the earth is farthest from, and
nearest to Jupiter, we find the time which light takes in travel-
ling a distance equal to the two positions of the earth, at the
two periods stated, and find this to be 192,000 miles In a second.
This is only one of the proofs we have, Dr. Bradley describes
another connected with the phenomena of the aberration of
light.
Now, according to the undulatory theory, the sun strikes the
tether as a bell strikes the sir; that is, the sun may be always
in a state of vibration by heat, electric action, or other causes ;
by which the material domain is put in motion in every direction
in a manner- similar to the air when struck by a bell. This is
the -most reasonable method of explaiuing the action of light.
From the phenomena of polarization amid other proofs, we must
suppose the atoms moving transversely while they arc moving
along, that is to say in alternate curves, like the waves of the
ocean. The waves of light vary in rapidity and length with
their varied colours : red is the shortest and least rapid of the
colours, and there are 39,180 red waves in an inch, which tra•
vel at the rate of 477 millions of millions of miles in one
second. The violet wave travels fastest, proceeding at the rate
,of 699 millions of millions of miles in a second.

The question now arises, which of the two theories should we
adopt. To say that the sun gives out atoms, would argue that
it will be wasted in time. Let us see which of the theories will
account for the most of the properties of which we find light to
be possessed. The corpuscular theory is the older theory,
which was adopted by Newton and his contemporaries ; whereas
the undulatory one is of comparatively modern standing.
There are, altogether, 23 orders of phenomena to be accounted
for in Optics, such as the polarization of light, its motion, &c.
The corpuscular theory only explains four out of these perfectly ;
there are three imperfectly explained, one perfectly by a condi-
tion supposing that there is a repulsion taking place on the
surface of a plate of metal—three imperfectly, by assuming
conditions—and twelve cannot be explained at all. By the un-
dulatory theory seventeen orders of these phenomena are ex-
plained perfectly, three imperfectly, one conditionally, there is
no order left explained imperfectly with conditions, and only
two which caonot be explained at all. Indeed these two have
lately been explained. After this, the lecturer said he need not
say which theory ought to be adopted, that which explained
satisfactorily seventeen orders of phenomena, or that which
expl•ained only four.
The intensity of a light is the quantity of illumination it will
produce. .We often find it convenient to determine the differ-
ence of intensity between various fights. Suppose there existed
a prejudice against the use of gaslights in favour of that of
"miles, it would be necessary to show the consumer that gas
gave a greater quantity of light at less expense. To do this we
must be able to compare the light of it candle with that of a
gas lamp. This will lead us to consider what is the de-
crease of light according to the distance of the luminous body,
Rua then we shall get nearer a comparison. Now, suppos-
kw a candle he placed at a given distance from a wall or piece
of paper, it would spew a certain quantity of light upon the
well, but, if the candpe be removed to a greater distance, it will
not illuminate the wall as much as it did before. In fact, we
find by a very simple experiment that the quantity of light is
inversely, as the square of the distance of the luminous body.
•By this means we calculate the distances of time planets by no-
ticing the reflection which they cause at various distances.
This is precisely what kslMens with regard to sound, and gave
the idea of a photometer to, Count Rumford. His method, as
well as that of Dr. Black, and oilier celebrated experimentalists,
consisted chiefly in inteecepting the.light..from a candle and
lamp by ,ineani of some opaque body, and then noticing the
difference of the shadows. l'he luminary occasioning time
strongest shadow was removed •to a greater distance, until
the shadows cast by each light was exactly similar, then sup-
posing
one to ten feet, and the other five feet from the inter-
cepting substance, these numbers were. squared, which shewed
that the lie ht at time greater distance gave out 100 parts of light
to 25 of the other, end consequently, that it was of four times its
intensity, various ingenious contrivances have been devised by
Dr. Ritchie and others, for facilitating this experiment, the
apparatimslor which was ,simewn and explained by the talented
lecturer. •
..On Saturday evening Mr. Addams continued,
There are various cantles which disturb the rectilinear motion
of a:ray, of a light. A, ray of light is always in the direction of
the radius of a system of spiral waves, emanating in every pos-
sible direction from the luminous body, and would always pursue
a Perfectly straight course, provided the media through which
the waves :.re propagated were of the same density and elasti-
city.. But it these waves or undulee meet with a medium of
another density they will assume a netvdirection. If the op-
posing medium be metal, we shall have a new system of waves
piopagatedfrom its surface, passing off perhaps in a diagonal
direetion. Light may be supposed to be reflected from any
surface, even the air itself reflects a portion of light. We may
s4fe4y say there is not any body which is visible but reflects a
portion of light, but the light bodies reflect more than the dark,
and so on. The law of reflection is this, that if a ray of light
fall perpendicularly upon any reflecting surface, it will be re-
turned back in the same direction, hut if the ray make an angle
with the surface of reflection, it will he reflected on the opposite
side of a perpendicular, so its to make time angle of reflection
equal to that of incidence.
We must confine our observations to those bodies which ap-
pear lustrous, such as a piece of glass silvered at the back, or
else's piece of polished metal, because, if we bold a piece of
paper up, we see the light the same in whatever way we bold it,
but not so with silvered class or polished metal, if we hold
them in one position we do not see the image of thii light, but
in another we do. •to this description of surfaces therefore, the,
law previously given will only apply.
According to the undulatory theory, reflection is caused by
a change itfthe direction 'of the ray of light, in consequence of
the waves of light encountering a new medium of different
elasticity. The density of the mtherial fluid mks in different
bodies. it has before been obierved that the space through
which time heavenly bodies pass, is a void filled willm this w.her.
Time pores, of our ettnospitere are likewise filled with this tether,
as well as water and everyStmlistance in nature. As the density
'of
the medium is increaseil,,so is the elasticity and time velocity
,of the weyes,of light diminished.
Having explained the cause of reflection, it remains to be
slinwn how light is only seen from a polished mirror, in that
angle called the angle of reflection. Suppose two rays of bent
to fall diagonally upon an horizontal surface ; when they touch
time plane there will be it new system of waves generated, and
a'reflection of a pitiful of the light, not of all, for a portion
will pass into the opposing surface, which will be greater or less
According to the sithstatice of which it is composed. That por-
tion of time rays which is reflected, will move on
in ownw suc-
cession of circles. When two rays are coming d in an
obi que direction, parallel to each other, it is necessary to. pre-
vent,ss
the waves interfering with each other, that they should pass
over equal spaces at the same period of time. Thus, wizen
one ray has reached- the surface, the other has a short space to
travel through before it reaches it, during which time time
.first
ray is passing off at an angle. When the second ray has arrived
short
.space, and
at the surface, 'the first ham passed through
the two rays again proceed parallel to each other. 1 his law is
difficult to be understood even with the aid of diagrams, but the
reader will see that as it is necesshry that equal spaces should
he described by each ray, that the angle of incidence will always
be the same as the angle of reflection. Were there any differ-
ence in the spaces described by the different rays, one ray would
destroy the other.
The quantity of light reflected by different bodies, is exceed-
ingly variable. Some will reflect one half, others not more

than one-thousandth part of the light impinging upon them.
We may, in some cases, increase the reflecting power, by ad-
ding to transparent bodies substances which have greater
powers of reflection. Thus, if we coat the inside of a glass
cylinder with paint, with the exception of a small portion,
aviinst which, the light of a lamp may be directed, we shall
find, upon filling it with water, that the water will not be visi-
ble, but if a few drops of milk be added to the water, light
will be reflected from it. Mr. Addams here exhibited a
table computed by Mr. Potter, of Manchester, shewing the
amount of reflection in plate-class mirrors of different angles
of incidence, by which it appered that, as the angle increases,
the greater number of rays are reflected, but under the most
favourable circumstances, one•half of the rays will be lost.—
This varies much in metal reflectors ; thus, inlspecula metal,
used in the construction of observatory astronomical instru-
ments, the greater the angle of incidence, the .less will be the
quantity of light reflected. The following are a few of the
most remarkable of the reflecting properties of different sub-
stances :
Water, at the greatest possible angle of incidence, will re-
turn three quarters, and Glass two-thirds of the rays. Water,
at the perpendicular incidence, will return only one-fifty-fifth ;
whilst Glass will return one-fortieth ; and Mercury two-thirds
of the rays. We thus gain more from metallic reflectors, at
the rectangular incidence, than from other substances.
If a light be reflected against a wall, it will be found that upon
moving the reflector through a quarter of a circle, the image
will have traversed through double the distance. Sextants,
quadrants, &c., are constructed on this principle, so that the
whole of the heavens can be readily seen, If the surface of a
reflector be convex or concave, the light will not he reflected
as from a plane, but the law governing the circumstance will
be the same. A concave reflector will bring all the rays into
a speck of light at a given distance ; but a convex reflector will
spread theili out in every direction. The concave reflector pro-
duces the same image which it received, which can be magni-
fied at pleasure. It is obvious that any lines drawn from the
centre of concavity to the curve must be perpendicular to 'that
part of the curve, because the radius of a circle is always per•
pendicolar to the tangent of that point of the curve which it in-
tersects. All rays occurring in the direction of the axis of the
mirror, are returned in the same direction. The focus where
the rays will assemble, is always equal to one half of the radius
of concavity of the mirror, with a little variation, hereafter to
be noticed, according to the colour of the ray.
- When light is reflected, it belongs to that division of the
science called Catoptrics, but when it is bent or refracted by
passing through a body, it.belongs to the division called Diop-
trics. If a portion of light ,be passed from one light into ano-
ther, where the density and elasticity of the other is much dif-
ferent, then the light will take a different direction, unless it
fall at right angles. We will suppose that the light is passing
through the 'mther of the air, and that it meets with a quantity
of water. When a ray of light meets the water, a small por-
tion of it is reflected ; the remainder will enter the water. The
instant it reaches the water, it is bent at the point of contact of
the two media. This bend, like every operation of nature, is
invariably certain and uniform. We find that where air and
water are concerned, that, if the ray above be of such an angle,
that the sign of that angle shall measure four feet, or inches,
and that the sign of the angle of refraction shall measure three
feet or inches, that is to say, the upper and lower angles Are as
four are to three. _ _ . . .

A ray of light may be reflected from the bottom of water in-
to the air. Suppose a polished plate of metal be placed at the
bottom of a cistern, and the light of the sun falls upon it; the
ray would be bent and carried out of the water in the same
manner as in going in. The same will happen to all transparent
bodies that have higher refractive powers than the atmosphere,
but in varying proportions. Tables are frequently given show-
ing the indices of refraction for various substances. These in-
dices are the quotients of the sign of incidence, divided by the
sign of refraction. It is usual to consider the angle of refrac-
tion as one, so that the angle of incidence will he one and a 'de-
cimal, which is called the index of refraction. Mr Addams
illustrated the 'retraction of water by throwing a ray of light
into a glass cistern containing water. Owing to this refraction
of water: the position of substances in it is apt to be mistaken
and inexperienced individuals, in attempting to spear a salmon,
almost invariably miss the fish by striking in the apparent
rather than the real direction, besides which the fish appears
much higher in the water than it really is. Mr. Addams illus-
trated this in a very curious and satisfactory manner. He
placed a piece of lead, having a transparent point struck upon
it, at the bottom of a tin trough, so that it could not be seen
by the audience whilst.sitting down. . When water was poured
upon the' lead so as to cover the transparent point, it could be
be seen by the audience without any alteration in their position.
.Another very demonstrative illustration of this refraction-of
light in water was presented by Mr. Addams, with which he
concluded his lecture. If in a graduated disc of metal two
tubes be placed, and an angle he made with them equal to the
angle of refraction, a personrooking through one tube will be
able, if the experiment be properly conducted, to see through
both tubes any article at the bottom of the water.
We were glad to observe a Dumber of scientific gentlemen
present at this lecture—it proves that genuine talent is duly
estimated in the town.