The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1843-02-21 00:00:00

THE POLYTECHNIC SOCIETY.

The general monthly meeting of thhi society took place on
Tuesday evening last. No specific paper was announced for
the evening, and the members had consequently an oppor-
tunity of incidentally communicating any scientific or me-
chanical information, or originating any discussion they might
deem interesting. The CHAIRMAN, John Grantham, F
briefly opened the proceedings, by introducing a gentleman
who had a short communication to make on

THE NATURAL ORGANIZATION OF ROCK

Mr. CAINE exhibited under a glass case, a specimen of
what he considered the natuaal organization of rock, procured
by him at a copper mine he was in the habit of visiting,
and which might be deemed a curiosity. He described by
means of a diagram, the position in which copper ore was
generally found in the mine, anti the substances by which it
was surrounded. In the present instance, a quantity of rub-
bish or refuse had been thrown in a heap on the ground,
where there had been moss for a period of 30 or 40 years.
The specimen was found at the bottom of the heap, where it
had formed a small nucleus of copper ore, probably by the
action of water or moisture through the general mass. All
around it was perfctly hard, but the specimen itself, though
laminated, was so fragile, that it would scarcely bear touch-
ing without crumbling to powder. The primative rock in
the locality was slate stone, mixed with clay and quartz.
Analogous to this formation in the alchemy of nature was the
hardening of clay at the Staffordshire Potteries, which, when
deposited in masses and left for twelve months, became a sort
of schistus, and required to be reground before it could be
fashioned into earthenware. .

A short discussion ensued on the subject, several members,
including Mr. Adie, Dr. Waldie, Mr. Smith, and Mr. Spence,
expressing an opinion that there was nothing peculiar in the
formation shown, which was rather an incrustation of the
particles of which it was composed through the action of
water, and their tendency to unite, than an original organi-
zation ; and they supported their views by adducing analo-
gous instances of the formation of rocky masses. An inte-
resting conversation then took place on the extraordinary
conversion of iron into copper when left immersed in the
water from a copper-mine. Dr. Waldie remarked that it was
generally thought that the discovery of this transmutation was
accidentally made by a workman at a copper-mine, who had
left his spade in the spring issuing from it, and on taking it out
found it to be converted into copper. The modern practice
was also noticed of sending, from towns, clippings of tinned
plates, old tinned tea-kettles, broken iron pots, pieces of fire
bars, and other scraps and fragments of the same metal—be-
fore considered as useless—to the copper-mines in Wales, &c.,
where, by immersion in the water issuing from the ore, they
were eventually converted into the more precious metal.
Many tons of these scraps are annually sent from this and
other ports for that purpose ; so that it is not imps obable but
that a gentleman may be borne across the Atlantic in a ves-
sel, part of the bottom of which is sheathed and protected
with plates of copper that were formerly the iron utensils in
which his sumptuous meals were for years prepared !
A vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Caine for his commu-
nication.

PROPOSED PERMANENT POLYTECHNIC INSTITUTION

The CHAIRMAN then brought under the notice of the so-
ciety an address and prospectus from the projectors of a pro-
posed " Permanent Polytechnic Institution" in the town.
He read the address,which stated that the institution had for
its object " the exhibition of the most modern inventions
and scientific discoveries," without interfering with other so-
cieties : that the projectors anticipated many difficulties be-
fore it could be got ready for public reception ; but that having
the encouragement of our worthy Mayor, and that the prin-
cipals of several of the first engineering establishments, and
other professional gentleman giving their approbation of it,
they (the projectors) begged to lay the subject before this
members of the Polytechnic Society, trusting for their sup-
port and co-operation, which would materially assist in the
formation of the society. The address also stated, that Mr.
Jevons had liberally offered to find an eligible building on the
Arcade ground, for the institution, either at a fixed rent, or
for one half the profits up to a fixed amount. The Chairman
also read portions of the prospectus, detailing the objects
more fully, one of which was to afford facility for the sale of
any articles on commission.
A short discussion arose on this subject, and Mr. THOMAS
LAOYMAN, who represented the projectors of the proposed
institution, gave some explanations in reply to questions.
Several members expressed an opinion that the circumstances
of the town did not hold out a prospect of success to such an
institution, and, until it were more nurtured, they could not
see in what manner they could forward its establishment,—
certainly not by prematurely uniting their society with it, if
that were contemplated—although they wished it every pros-
perity. They must be cautious how they committed them-
selves by prematurely disturbing their own present arrange-

ments.
The CHAIRMAN, in conclusion, said that it appeared to be
the general feeling of the meeting that all they could do in
the meantime was to wish the proposed institution every
possible success, inasmuch as its objects were praiseworthy.
Beyond this they had no power to forward it, and he had
discharged his duty in bringing its views and objects fairly
before the members.
The meeting then separated, and a number of the members
retired, as usual, to the committee-room, where they partook
of tea and coffee.

THE PERMANENT GALLERY OF ART,

(CONTINUED.)

The room in which the pictures are exhibited is a very fine
one, and the light is delightfully introduced. The pictures
are judiciously hung and well contrasted, but there are too
many works upon the same subject,—in fact, we never saw
such a number of "holy families" congregated together before.
There are some very fine pictures,—some undeniably rare
ones, some of but middling quality, and two or three not
worth the screw they are hung upon. Of the fine class we
may instance—No. 125, The Entombment of Christ, by
Spagnolelto ; 118, A Landscape with figures, by John
Momper ; 119, Hunting the Stag, by Rosa di Tivoli ; 92,
Landscape, with ruins. The Holy Family in their Flight
into Egypt, crossing a river, attended by the Archangel
Michael. This fine picture was presented to the gallery by
J. P. Heywood, Esq., and was in the collection of the late
Wm. Earle, Esq. No. 2is a remarkable picture, by Domenic
Ghirlandaio. Nos. 62 and 64 are singular pictures, by
Luca Cranach, representing the history of Christ. They are
both splendidly coloured, and in a fine state of preservation,
although more than three hundred years old. No. 65 is a
highly finished picture, ascribed in the catalogue to Hans
Hemmelinck, but it is quite as probable to he the work of
Albert Durer, from its exquisite handling and beauty. No.
71, The Boar at Bay, is ascribed to Francis Snyder:, but it
is more likely to be the work of Abraham Hondtus, a native
of Rotterdam, born in 1638. His performances, in many
instances, were almost equal to Snyders. He painted scenes
like the present with great spirit and fidelity. No. 84, A
View of the Entrance to the Arsenal at Venice, is stated to
be by Canaletto : it is more likely to be the work of Francesco
Guardi,an eminent scholar of Canaletto's, who greatly ex-
celled in the same description of subject as his master. His
works are often taken for those of Canaletto; but any one
familiar with the performances of the latter will at once dis-
tinguish them from the absence, to a certain extent, of the
admirable effects which Canaletto produced in his lights and
shadows, as well as in the correctness of his perspective.
No. 69, A Winter Scene, is called a Molinaer, while on it is
the signature of Cornelius Maans, a Delft artist. This pic-
ture greatly resembles the productions of A. Vanderneer for
the brightness of the atmosphere and the spirit of the scene.
No. 100, Head of a Rabbi, is a very fine painting. 101,
The portrait of a Spanish General in full costume, was pre-
sented by Mrs. Winstanley, and will be greatly admired.
This picture is said to be by Velasquez : it is worthy of the
name, at any rate; it is clearly of his school. 102, The head
of an old man with a long beard, is catalogued as emanating
from the "school of Rubens ;" and why it should not be at
once attributed to the master we know not ; it is a remark-
ably fine head, and is full of life and spirit. This picture was
presented to the gallery by Mr. Thomas Hargreaves. 115,
wlefllth ase the
freedom eye
An Interior; a gentleman sitting with a lady playing the
guitar, and a child dancing, is a charming picture. The ease
and u
gracefulnessft the attitude
of t heuf t childh the two
is
adult
figures.remarkable,a s
of the lady had been on the child instead of on the spectator,
of
the
d It
eof very
the
room
theTheffeewcthowloeuoldf
mharv.eßboeesenobe ,a etter
collection will be greatly ad-
mired
sbtaytut hee,
placedlover a
lovers f art.
appro-
priately surrounds his
This statue was one of the last works of the immortal
Chantrey, and has been deposited in the
gallery by the sub-
scribers to it.
That the gallery ought to be visited and highly
no one can deny. It is the first commencement appreciated,
be a very splendid collection ; and we only regret of what may
wealthy possessors of pictures in this town that the
have not more
liberally come forward and made presentations to it. Suppose
one good picture—we will not go so far
as to say fine one,
but one really good picture—were to be
given
by
every gen-
tleman who possessed a few works of a
enhance the value of the collection, and
it would greatly
the donors. on, and reflect honour on

CONVERSIONS FROM POPERY .—On Sunday last; the 12th
instant, two young men solemnly and publicly renounced the
errors of Popery in the Church of Pettigo, and subsequently
received the sacrament of the Lord's Supper, for which they
had been diligently prepared for some weeks previously. We
understand they have been for some time under a serious in-
quiry, and weighed. the subject seriously before giving up their
former opinions.—Erne Packet.

REDUCTION IN THE ARNIY.-It has been determined that
a reduction shall take place in the infantry of the army, the
following regiments are gradually to be reduced to 740 rank
and file each :-Ist (Ist and 2d battalions,) sth, 6th, 7th, Bth,
11th, 14th, 15th, 16th, 24th, 26th, 27th,
30th, 32d, 33d, 34th.
35th, 36th, 37th, 38th, 41st, 43d, 44th, 46th, 47th, 48th, 49th,
52d, 53d, 54th, 56th, 59th, 60th (Ist and 2d battalion,) 61st,
64th, 65th, 66th, 67th, 68th, 69th, 70th, 72d, 73d, 74th, 75th,
76th, 77th, 79th, 81st, 82d, 13th, 85th, 87th. 88th, 89th, 92d.
and 93d. The service companies to 540, and the depots 200
rank and file. The 19th, 90th, 95th, and Ist battalion rifle
brigade will remain as heretofore, at 800, their service com-
panies being 600, and their depots 200 rank and file. The
2d, 3d, 4th, 9th, 10th, 13th, 17th, 18th, 21st, 22d, 25th, 28th,
29th, 31st, 39th, 40th, 50th, 51st, 55th, 57th, 58th, 62d, 63(1,
78th, 80th, 84th, 86th, 94th, 96th, 98th, 99th are to remain
at 1000 rank and file. The 12th, 20th, 23d, 42d, 45th, 71st,re
91st, 97th, and the 2d battalion of the rifle brigade,
owwill •
hmeaianlloawt
allowed
d2ooto rank
reagnimd fienleta;
alervisnugpeinrnlunmdiearioers zipllinn, d
tahocedve3ro,
to those serving in all other foreign stations,
There-
cruiting
standard o f thfeosre
trheegi
infantrymen tswoifllt
the
ee
lrineog
of those regiments servinc, in India,
inches China,
for men not Wales) will be raised to ssfeet rwing lad- under
eg ments serving
at 5 feet 6 inches, but
exceed-
inglB years rys years
recruits
New South Wales may take
not under 18 years of age u
(withaanded the
N e e
South accordingly.
o n
frsaogef.ageß, and
i 5 feet 6 inchesintor
ndia,
China, and

Ma. RICHARD CARLISLE.—The body of this eccentric
man was, on Monday night, removed to. St. :Thomas's Hos-
pital for dissection, in compliance with his dying request, and
with a long expressed desire that it might be subjected to
anatomical purposes for the public good. Mr. Grainger lec-
tured upon his body on Tuesday. The report that he died
in want of the common necessaries of life and of medical as-
sistance is completely groundless. All his wants were most
abundantly supplied, and at the moment of his death his
house was well supplied with every necessary.—(London
paper.) On Tuesday the theatre of St. Thomas's Hospital
was crowded, in consequence of it being announced that Mr.
Grainger would lecture upon the body of Mr. Carlisle, which
had been conveyed there on the previous evening. It how_
that, although the executive of the hospital not
onlye how-
ever, er , appears,expressed a wish that his body should be brought to the
hospital for anatomical purposes, but also paid the expense
of its conveyance, the governors, who had
society
edioettt,hyiatbtwoof utlzdteoshmeoeys;
been consulted on the subject, disapproved of it altogether,
lest it might be supposed that, by 89 doing, it would identify
them with the peculiar religious
. principles of the deceased
The result of this uneasiness on the part of the governors was,*
that Mr. Grainger, instead of lecturing upon the
by anatomy
mn
ot,he.
dbiesnoewfintesdcoonnfehrirsedpsornt
the skeleton in the *
connexion with the principles of Mr. Carlisle.
irahnonipTyoossueecidfluttsioo
place
It
wpafi hos-
pital, ds:
idp,
museum of the hos-
pital, but to that deceased's family would not
Carlisle directed that his body should be d consent. Mr.elivered to Mr.
s Lawrence for dissection, and that his bone
after-
wards burned. Mr. Lawrence declined h should be a
du with the body; it was, therefore, h vi
St. having any thing to
man's Hospital.— Globe. andedovet to Tho-