The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1842-01-18 00:00:00

from thenco only once a month from J:muary.to April,

SIIERIF

iheriff f

OF LANCASIURI.

of Rawcl l I all

1,- r that T. R. Wilson

r Luis county for the ew,uhig year

CEIRISTENING OF THE PRINCE. OF \VALI:S.—The good
folks of Walton-on-the-Hid, ever on the alert to show a
kind disdositton towards the poor, Lave seized this opportu-
nity of giving the poor a good dinner of beef anti plum pud-
ding. A ball also will be Leld in the evening at the Black
Horse Inn, whit,ll we hope will pass off vvith the eclat that
usually auctols the " Walton doings."

PORTRAIT OF THE M'NEnr..—We' have
been much gratified by the inspection of en admirable por-
trait of this eminent divine. which trill remain on view for a
few days, in the Lyceum Committee-roorn, Bold-street. It
has been painted by George Patten, Esq., R. A., at the desire
of a number of the friends of the reverend gentleman, and is
justly considered to be the most successful effort of that dis-
tinguished artist. Indeed, although in an unfinished state,
it is easy to perceive that the portrait is destined to become a
valuable picture, as well as a faithful likeness. It is the in-
tention of a committee of gentlemen, comprising a number
of the most influential of our townsmen, to have the portrait
engraved in the first style of art, under the immediate super-
intendance of Mr. Patten. And when we state that the
execution of their wishes will be confided to Mr. Cousins,
the most satisfactory result may be anticipated. The names
of subscribers to the engraving are received at the room;
and should the subscriptions exceed the cost of production,
the balance will be applied by the committee to charitable
purposes.

SUGGESTED WITIIDRAWA L OF WHIG AND POPISII
CONTRIBUTIONS TO OUR LOCAL. CIIARITIES.-A Popish
contemporary of Friday—(for the Liverpool Mercury, al-
though only a latitudinarian and anti-church journal for-
merly, is now the thick and thin organ of popery)—contains
a long tirade of mingled slipslop and anathema upon the
subject of " the corporation schools," from which we take
the liberty of extracting, for the edification of our readers,
the following specimen of exceeding amiability. After ex-
pressing a hope that the poor children who have been ex-
pelled from the corporation schools by the tyrannical inter-
ference of their Bible-denouncing priesthood, and to sub-
serve the party ends of the Boltons and Earles of the Town-
council, will not be left by these liberal gentlemen unprovided
with the means of education—a hope in which we fervently
join—the Mercury proceeds to recommend St. Patrick's
school, as one which may in part be made to supply their
wants ; and suggests, in order to provide the required funds
—what does the reader imagine ? That the pockets of the
Rathbones, Earles, and Boltons should be taxed to build one
or two additional schools ? That the funds collected for re-
p- rents, O'Connell tributes, precursor purposes, painted
lILIOWS, shrines, and other decorations and trappings of the
scarlet lady, should be devoted to the education of the " poor
children," whose wretched cellars are so incessantly visited
by the indefatigable collectors of " the church," for the pur-
pose of screwing from the wretched inmates their pennies
and twopennies ? No—good reader. None of these plans
have entered into the imagination of the popish scribe of the
Mercury. The pockets of the radical fraternity in the
Town-council are fast buttoned. " The church"—the " ould
church" at least—has a grasp which never relaxes, and a
maw which cries like the horse-leech's daughter, " Give !
give !" but which never disgorges. The plan of the Mercury
is far more original than arty that we have mentioned.. It is
simply that the Rathbones, Earles, Boltons, et id genus
omne, should cease to contribute to the funds of Ladies'
charities, Blue-coat schools, Infirmaries, &c., and transfer
those funds into the hands of their reverences, to be ex-
pended—we presume, under the direction of Dominie But-
ler or Father Youens—in teaching the rising generation of
the papistrie the most approved version of an ave or an
anathema—the most orthodox form of crossing, sprinkling,
and genuflexion. " Since matters have been driven to such
extremity"—n rites the Mercury—" it may also be a ques-
tion whether those who disapprove of the change effected in
the corporation schools ought not to withdraw their contri-
butions from all other public institutions of a strictly sec-
tarian character." Aye, do so good Mercury ! do so good
liberal ladies and gentlemen ! Withdraw your countenances
and your monies from Lying-in Hospitals, Infirmaries, Blue
schools, and other " sectarian" charities ; and,although the.
bulk of the recipients of those sectarian charities may be
poor Irish R ornanists—the fathers, mothers, brothers, or
sisters of the ‘• poor children" whose best interests you have
chosen to make shipwreck of in your bible-hating and factious
zeal, we beg to assure you that those recipients mill never
suffer, and the hand of charity never be less bountiful fur the
loss of your most sweet countenances and contributions.
Oh popery !—truly this is a specimen of your excessive libe-
rality

FIRE ON SHIPBOARD.—On Sunday evening, about five
o'clock, a fire was discovered in the hold of the schooner
Sarah and Ann, from Waterford, laden with grain, rags,
furniture, and tallow, lying in the King's Dock. The officers
on duty sent instant intelligence to the Fire-police Station,
and the word was, at the same time, passed to the North and
South Dock Engile Stations. In a short time, no lesi than
nine engines were ranged on the dock quay opposite the spot
where the vessel was lying. Hose were conveyed on board;
and, under the direction of Mr. Whitty and Mr. Hewitt,
both of whom were on board, water was poured freely into
the hold, where the heat and density of the vapour indicated,
that,.if any time. wereJost, serious consequences might en-
sue. As the wind was blowing with some violence from the
northwest, and the schooner was surrounded with large ships,
some of which were laden with spirits, cotton, &c., the eon..
sequence of the fire obtaining anything like head would, pro-
bably, have been most disastrous. Some thoughts were en-
tertained, at the time, of scuttling the schooner ; but even
this would have been a work of difficulty, as she was closely
jammed in amongst the other ships. By throwing on the
water with judgment, the fire, after a time, showed symptoms
of abatement, and, at length, after three or four hours active
exertion, it was entirely subdued.

THE MEDINA STEAM-SHlP.—This magnificent steam.
ship, beonging to the Royal West India Mail Company,
performed, on Friday, her first experimental trip. She left
the Coburg Dock at noon, and proceeded to the North West
Light-ship, and then returned to the Sloyne, from whence
she departed on Stitt nay for Southampton. It reflects great
credit on her builders, the Messrs. White and Son, of Cowes,
and her engineers. Messrs. Bury and Co., of Liverpool, that
this vessel, whose machinery had never been tried on the
river, and only for a short space in the dock, should, in an
untrimmed state, have accomplished the immense speed of,
at least twelve miles per hour. Her motion throuzh the
water was scarcely perceptible by her passengers in the
cabin, and the vibration, in any part, was less than We ever
experienced in any steamer. It is not our wish to describe,'
for we have not the power to sufficiently extol, the beauty, the.
salubrity, or the elegance of this noble vessel. She hei
berthsis
a single
for about
one,
a
one
roomstate-room
by
itself, which we are
sure the public, and all voyagers, will consider a vast im-
provement. In short, this trial trip was eminently success-
ful, and must have been highly gratifying to the builders
and engineers, a 3 it was to the numerous company on board,
who were entertained in the kindest arid most hospitable
manner. Captain Burnef has been entrusted with the com-
mand of the Medina, an honour which he has earned by his
talents as an able seaman and experienced officer in the
royal navy, and whose urbanity and gentlemanly conduct
towards his guests were appreciated and acknowledged by
all. An excellent collation was served at two o'clock, the
attractions of which need not be enumerated, for it was sup-
plied by Mr. Horne, of the Mersey Hotel.

MISS WIIITNALL'S CONCERT.—This very accomplished
lady has announced her concert to take place on Monday
next, when a strong array of talent will be brought forward.
We are glad to perceive that the provincial press generally
speak well of Miss Whitnall, as it proves that the press of
her " ain toun " are not singular in their appreciation of
her talent. She has lately been singing at Shrewsbu y,
and was greatly admired. The Salopian Journal says,—
" Miss Whitnall possesses a maezza-sopratio voice of brilliant
power, and at the same time of surpassing sweetness. She
has every quality to make one of our leading vocalists. Let
her but pursue the right course, and we will answer for her
ultimate triumphant success. The soil, though nearly primi-
tive, is rich in all the germs that constitute a future great
artiste; and under the tillage of a Crivelli, Hawes, or John
Barnett, Miss Whitnall's voice, though naturally good,
would increase in power, compass, and quality : as it is now,
it feeds only on its own superior qualities,—whereas, had she
the advantage of intermixing with, and daily hearing, the
first artistes of Europe, her improvement would be as rapid
as her taste and refined mind are judicious and accomplished.
It is by comparison alone advancement is made : by hearing
others, we naturally recoil back on ourselves, and the more
readily perceive faults we never dreamt of possessing. Thus
is it, we immediately observe the refinement of the musician
who is constantly mixing with men of attainments superior
to himself. It is this kin of improvement our fair debutante
so much requires, to make her command that station her
great abilities and lady-like manners fully warrant. Her's
is a voice more calculated to please, and give a general
audience pleasure, than the high soprano, which, in ten cases
out of a dozen, is harsh and reedy from the fact of over
practice, and a desire to execute passages which, when at-
tained, end in what? more wonderment than pleasure, or
even agreeable effect. The mezzo-soprano is the intermediate
voice between the contralto and soprano, as the barritone is
between the tenor and bass, consequently the most useful in
the scale ; and we congratulate Miss Whitnall in having an
organ equalled by few, and to be envied by all. We look
forward to hear of her in the metropolitan concerts during
the season, where she will not only be an acquisition, but an
ornament in every sense of the word."

UTTERING BASE Coirr.--Thomas Ford, a stranger in
this town, but having all the appearance of being one of the
light-fingered gentry of the metropolis, was yesterday placed
at the bar of the police-court, on a charge of uttering base
coin. Mrs. Irving, of the Old Salt Box public-house, in
Wapping, said that on Saturday, about two o'clock, the pri.
soner came there, and tendered her a shilling, which she con-
sidered bad, and which she marked by biting it before she re-
turned it to him. Mr. Wild, of the American Hotel, Lower
Sparling-street, said that on the same afternoon, about three
o'clock, the prisoner handed him a bad shilling in payment
for drink. On being challenged with it, he said he had re-
ceived it from Mrs. Irving. Mr. Wild proposed they should
go there, which he agreed to,—when it appeared that the
shilling given to Mr. W. was not that marked by her, but
another bad one, and she had not given him any other. The
prisoner cross-questioned the witness with much severity and
no little tact—showing himself to be no young practitioner.
He expressed himself strongly dissatisfied with the attempt
to identify the first shilling, and said the other (both being
produced) had, in the interim, passed through several hands.
He expressed a wish to have an attorney to conduct his case,
and to hate it reheard. He thought the impudence of the
witnesses in charging him was so great that they were surely
mad ! Mr. Rushton said he might have as many attorneys
as he pleased when he came before a jury, and perhaps he
would find Mr. Powell, the solicitor for the mint, was mad
too! He (Mr. R.) had no doubt that the prisoner was well-
known elsewhere as what was called " a regular smasher."
The prisoner, who said he came from Dublin, was then com-
mitted, to await the order of the Mint for the mode of his
prosecution.

CONSUMPTION OF SMOKE.—On Wednesday last an im-
portant meeting was held in the Music-hall. Leeds, William
Beckett, Esq., M.P. for that town, in the chair, to consider
the practicability of effectually preventing or burning smoke.
Mr. Dresser, of Leeds, on behalf of Mr. Thomas Hall, de-
scribed that gentleman's patent, which consists in a division
formed longitudinally along the boiler in the fire-place, thus
forming two furnaces, which are fired alternately, and, by
means of a damper behind a transverse bridge, the smoke
and gases arising from the fresh fuel in one furnace are.de-
stroyed by passing over the bright fire of the other. Mr.
C. W. Williams, of this town, next submitted his plans to
the meeting, which are in operation at various places. lie
ridiculed the idea of smoke being consumed, and said it was
Impossible to consume it ; his plan was to prevent its for-
mation, and for this purpose he injected into the furnace a
quantity of air sufficient for the purpose, through a series of
holes in an iron plate, by which the gaseous nature of the
coal was entirely subdued before it formed into smoke. His
patent had been tried two years, with all kinds of coal, but
with what saving of fuel he could not tell. The expense of
adopting it to boilers already fixed would only be the expense
of the iron plate and the fixing, exclusive of the patent right.
He was not sure it could be adopted where Stanley or Bran-
ton's fire fenders were in use. Mr. Rodda, of Cornwall,
Mr. Bell, of Edinburgh, Mr. Chanter, of London, and Mr.
Drew, of Manchester, 'severally explained their respective
plans, which were attentively examined by the meeting. A
resolution was then passed iwith six or eight dissentients)
that " that the smoke arising from steam-engine chimnies
can be consumed in most cases without any injury to the
boilers, and with a saving of fuel." A committee was
formed, and a subscription entered into for carrying out the
objects of the meeting.

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FUNERAL OF MASTER HUGH WNEILE.—The mortal re-
mains of this much lamented youth were interred at Ever-
ton Church yesterday morning. A great number of gentle-
men were present at the ceremony, anxious to show their
sympathy with the survivors in their deep affliction. The
Rev. Mr. Falloon addressed the congregation of St. Judes'
ou the mournful subject, on Sunday morning.

On Sunday last two sermons were preached in St. Bride's
Church, by a son of the Rev. J. H. Stewart, the incumbent
of the church. We believe the young gentleman is curate to
the Rev. W. Fremantle, and if we may form an opinion
from what we heard on Sunday, he promises to be a most
tglented divine. His manner is impressive, his enunciation
distinct. and his delivery easy. Both discourses were deli-
vered extempore.

FIRE IN SCOTLAND-ROAD.—Yesterday morning, about
half-past three o'clock, an alarm of fire having broke out in
Mr. Craig's shop, provision dealer, Scotland-road, reached
the fire-station. The fire had far advanced before it was dis-
covered, and some of the parties in the upper part of the pre-
mises with difficulty escaped with their lives. The engines
from the fire-police station were on the spot speedily after
the alarm, and in about an hour the flames were got under—
not, however, with every possible exertion, before the entire
stock in the shop was destroye&
to be about £lOO, the stock being comparatively small at tilt.
time. The whole was, we are further informed, insured at
the Imperial Fire Office.

The loss sustained is stated

BIRKENHEAD DISPENSARY.—The election of an addi-
tional medical officer to this valuable institution took place
at Woodside Hotel, on Monday evening last. The only
candidates who actually came to the poll were Mr. Smith
and. Mr. Vale. On the numbers being taken, there ap-
peared for Mr. Smith, 136; for Mr. Vale, 114. Majority
for Mr. Smith. 22.

FINE ARTS—UNION GALLERY.—The very fine collec-
tion of first class pictures now exhibiting at this gallery are
attracting the attention of all admirers of the fine arta. The
specimens of the old masters are very choice—several of them
we believe have been sold, and are to be removed ; they will
be replaced by others. The group of Pa.tus and Arria charms
every one inspecting it : all are struck with the completeness
of execution and harmony of the design. This group may be
looked upon as a brilliant example of the sculptor's art.

STREET
ROlll3EEY.—Yesterday, at the police-court, a
young man, named John Minnow, was placed at the bar
charged with an assault and robbery of a daring nature. Mr.
Thomas Henry Clarke, an officer of her Majesty's Customs,
said he lived in Eldon-place. On Saturday night he had
been with some friends in the Park. Between one and-two
o'clock on Sunday morning, when he had arrived within a
few doors of his own house, he met the prisoner and three
other men, and took the inside next the wall. One of the
men then struck him over the head, and knocked him down
on his side. Two of them then kneeled upon him and rifled
his pocket of two half-crowns, and about five shillings. His
pocket was turned inside out. He called for tke police but
no one came. The men then ran towards Vauxhall-road,
taking his hat with them. He pursued them and overtook
the prisoner before he got out of Eldon-place, about thirty
or forty yards from the spot. He detained him, and handed
him over to a constable who came up. He accompanied
them to bridewell. His fingers were cut in keeping his watch
s lie never lost sight of the prisoner after he and hi,
companions left him .—A ngus M`Donald, constable, said ti
about the hour stated he heard a cry of police, arid for,-
prisoner in custody of Mr. Clarke. At bridewell ho
searched, and a half-crown, , two
were found upon hi... . _

nces, and fivepenc

Prisoner on being said, that he was unable to stanpdriso on his legs when hecautioned was
taken to bridewell, and knew nothing at all about the rob-
bery. The station-house keeper admitted, on being referred
to, that he had dropped down apparently insensible. He
was committed for trial at the sessions.

THE LIVERPOOL BOTANIC GARDENS

•
The annual meeting of the shareholders in and subscribers
to the Botanic Gardens was held in the Clarendon-rooms,
South John-street, yesterday. In addition to the business
usual to be transacted at annual meetings, the circular issued
by the committee stated that a resolution would be proposed
to empower the committee to open a negotiation for the sale
of the gardens to the town council of the borough, at a price
not less than would cover the present debt, and upon condi-
tion that the gardens be kept open for the promotion of bo-
tanical science, Notwithstanding this intimation the attend-
ance of proprietors and shareholders was very slender, not
more than from fifteen to twenty gentlemen being present.
On the motion of Mr. ISAAC HanwEN, jun., Dr. Free-
kleton, vice-president, Was called to the chair, in the.una-
voidable absence of Mr. Charles Horsfall, the president.
The treasurer's accounts were read. There appeared that on
the last account there, was a balance remaining due to the
bank of £3051 13s. 7d., and that the current expences of the
year had been £667 14s. sd. The receipts from subscriptions,
admission money, and fees on transfer of shares were £774
12s. 6d., the proceeds of the grand floral and horticultural
exhibition £275 Is. 10d., sale of plants £ll4 2s. Gd., do-
nations towards liquidating the debt £2O 10s. 6d., and that
on the whole account there remained due to thelbank £2764
10s. 11d. •
The report of the committee was next read. It was very
short, being merely a .summary of the transactions of the
year, and a description of the unpromising state of the
finances.
Mr. GEORGE HOLT enquired whether the total debt on
the gardens, mortgage • and otherwise, did not exceed the
sum mentioned in the treasurer's accounts ? It was there
stated to be £2764 10s.
The CHAIRMAN replied in the affirmative.
Mr. G. HOLT asked wheer subscriptions hae.not been
received to the amount ofth £1200,b which reduced the debt
to 4;2764.
The CHAIRMAN : Yes.
Mr. G. HOLT begged to ask further whether the amount
received for the sale of plants was not larger than usual?
The CHAIRMAN said it was.
Mr. G. liovr observed that that was then a source of
income upon which the'committee could not calculate upon
another year, and that what they could rely upon was not
nearly so much as they had received this year.
The CHAIRMAN said the committee had received £lOO
from the Duke of Devonshire, for plants and other items,
making altogether £4OO which they had no right to calculate
uPon, another year. They owed £2700 to the bank, and
about £l2OO to those gentlemen who had subscribed that
amount towards bringing the• gardens out of debt. In case
the gardens were disposed of this £l2OO would have to be
repaid.
Mr. MATHER enquired how many real proprietors there
were. A number of shares, he knew, had been created, in
order to vote for a 'particular measure. The subscriptions
for many of the shares then created had not, he believed,
been since paid. If that were the case the committee would
H
he putting upon the list shares that ought to be forfeited.
ow many subsrcibers were there upon whom the corn
taittee could calculate? The CHAIR MAN said the actual subscrip.- amounted to £650.
Mr. MATHEasked'how many subscribers the committee
could calculate upon ?
Mr. HADNVEN thought no more than 420.
. Mr. MATHER next asked what power the committee had
to inforce payment of the subscriptions ?
feiTtihneg CthrieAslhnalireAsN' in answer, said none but that of for-
Mr. MATHER asked after the expiration of what period
could the shares be forfeited ?
The CHAIRMAN said in a month after the subscription
had ceased to be paid.
Mr. Alderman BARCLAY : The point is, that if any
subscription for the last year is unpaid, you may forfeit
that share now ?
The CHAIRMAN : Yes.
Mr. descr Alderman BARCLAY : How many are there of that
Alderman
The CHAIRMAN : Several.
MXr. HAowsx : There are forty-nine.
r. Alderman BARCLAY said they ought to be forfeited.
G• HOLT observed. that as far as he could see there
would be no profit in forfeiting them.
nyvol • Alderman BARCLAY, in reply, said that might depend
notinc what would happen before they quitted that room. He
iwnigiatr in the circular that a motion would be made for offer-
take e gardens to the town-council •, now he wanted to knew the next step would be if the corporation refused to
them ?
would not
takerateh rather apprehended that the corporation
LATHER em
Mr
• said there was a stipulation in the circular
which, be rather thought, would prevent the town-council
from m accepting this offer. The stipulation was that the gar-
bons s.hould be kept open for an indefinite length of time for
tritnnan
ta meal purpo
Mr. Ald ses.
the
ne,orporae BARCLAY again said it was unlikely that
n would buy the gardens. If that was not done,
eex._ step was to close the concern altogether.
The CHAIRMAN said this subject had better come regu-
larly before the meeting.
On the motion of Mr. G. Hour, seconded by Mr. Al-
dermen BARCLAY, the report and the treasurer's accounts
were passed, and ordered to be printed.
Dr. FRECICLETON was then elected president of the in-
stitution for the ensuing year.
Motions were then passed appointing the usual officers,
thanking them for their services, and also the donors of
Plants, &c.
Mr. E. D. FAULKNER said the committee greatly regret-
ted that they were not better supported by the subscribers at
largo. He held in his hand a list of 300 names, who were
defaulters. There were 240 names, or thereabouts, who were
in arrears for 18-10 and previously. Now these names ought
to be struck out and forfeited, as there was much inconve-
nience arising from keeping them upon the books. He
moved that the names of all those in arrears for 1810, or pre-
viously, be struck out and have their shares forfeited.
Major ARYORD seconded the motion. After sonic desul-
tory conversation, in which the CHAIRMAN, Mr. G. HOLT,
Mr. Alderman BARCLAY, and others took part, the motion
was carried unanimously.
The CHAIRMAN then introduced the recommendation of
the committee, to offer the gardens to the common council.
It had not been carried unanimously in the committee, but
still it was thought better to submit it to the annual meet;-
of subscribers.

vceived

Avery long irregular discussion followed, in the course of
which nothing new was advanced, in addition to what had
been said before on the subject. Mr. Alderman BARCLAY
again expressed an opinion that the council would not give
4,0000 for the gardens, upon the conditions named. Even-
tually Mr. G. HOLT moved and Mr. W. HOUGHTON se-
conded a resolution, to the effect that the gardens be offered
to the council. It was carried unanimously.
Mr. Alderman BARCLAY said he should make another
motion, which was, " that in case the council should de-
cline to purchase the gardens upon the terms proposed. the
committee be directed to take the earliest opportunity to
dispose of the same, and after discharging the obligations
upon the gardens, to divide the surplus among the share-
holders who have paid their subscriptions for the past year.'
Mr. MATIIER thought this motion premature. It might
be brought forward at the next meeting but not at this.
Mr: Alderman BARCLAY withdrew his motion.
Eventually a suggestion of Mr. Nlathers was adoted,
Which was, that the shareholders should be summoned to
a special general meeting as soon as the answer of the
council to the proposal had been received. The meeting
then separated.

AFFLICTING OCCURRENCE.—On Sunday forenoon last'
IsJames Butler, a boy of thirteen years of age, son of Mr.
aac Butler, farmer, and yarn dresser, of Hollinwood, was
crossing the canl reservoir, at that place, when be hoght-
lessly broke thence in his play, and whilst doing other acci-
dentally fell on the frozen sheet; the weight of his fall cut
through the ice, and he was plunged into the water; he made
repeated attemps to escape, and an alarm being given, his
brother tried to save him, but in vain ; he was not rescued for
Dearly two hours, and was then beyond recovery.-211anches-
ter Courier.
PATA.L ACCIDENT FROM DRUNKENNESS.—It is our
Painful task to record another instance of the awful evils of
intemperance terminating in the loss of human life. On
Pr iday the 7th instant, T. Caldwell, Esq., coroner, held an
inqueSt at the Elephant and Castle public-house. Halton,
over the body of John Barton, a labouring man. From the
evidence adduced before tie coroner, it appeared that the
deceased, some days preceding his death, had, in a state of
intoxication, fallen headlong into the opening of a cellar in
Runcorn, and fractured his skull so dreadfully, that he
died in consequence.
PROPOSED BREAKWATER.—Sir Wm. Hillary, with his
accustomed anxiety for the public good, has been in com-
munication with the National Floating Breakwater Company,
relative to the .utility which would be likely to accrue from
t
he application of their new system to the Bay of Douglas.—
Manx Liberal.

LIVERPOOL POLYTECHNIC

SOCIETY

The above Society held its Annual Meeting on Friday
evening last, at the Royal Institution, when after the dispatch
of other private business, the following gentlemen were
elected officers, and council, for the present year,

President.---John Grantham, Esq., C.E.
Vice-Presidents.—John Cunningham, Esq., F.G.S., Henry
Dawson, Esq.
Treasurer.—Benjamin Platt, Esq.
Secretary.—C. F. Salt, Esq.
Council.
Dr. Reynolds, Rev. T. Dwyer, A.M.
I
Mr. H. Booth, Mr. R. H. Chilton,
Mr. A. King I Mr. J. Wlnnes,
Mr. Robert Mather Mr. T. Clarke,
Mr. Robert Crosbie, I Mr. E. Woods.

NEW PROCESS OF MANUFACTURING BRICKS, TILES.

ARCHITECTURAL MOULDINGS

The members afterwards adjourned to the large lecture
room, when the SECRETARY read a communication from
R. Prosser, Esq., C. E., Birmingham, on his patent process
of manufacturing bricks, tiles, architectural mouldings, kc.
The invention is applicable to the manufacture of any articles
that can be produced under a press. In the ordinary mode
of making bricks, the clay is prepared by suitable machinery,
and mixed with water to temper it, and reduce it to a plastic
state, fit for brick-making. All these laborious processes
used to be performed by the hand, in the open air; but lat-
terly much manual labour has been superseded by horse and
steam power, in the operations of grinding the wet clay be-
tween rollers, and tempering it in a machine called a pug-mill,
which is an iron cylinder set upright, in the axis of which an
upright shaft revolves. Several knives are attached to this
shaft in a spiral manner. As the upright shaft revolves, the
clay thrown in at the top is wet, and kneaded, and forced
through an aperture in the bottom of the pug-mill, and by
this process it becomes tempered, ready for the moulder.
Large quantities of water are used in the tempering process,
in order to make the clay soft enough to be forced into the
moulds ; and this water must he got rid of, by a slow drying
process, before the bricks can be burned. Each thousand of
bricks, when ready for the kiln, weigh about half a ton less
than when they arc first moulded. This half ton of water ha.
to be evaporated before the bricks can be burned. The no-
velty of Mr. Prosser's process consists iu the clay being
dried, ground to powder, and submitted to pressure. in me-
tallic tnonlds, until the particles cohere together. As there

is no water in combination with the clay, no drying process
is necessary ; consequently the articles made by this method
are ready to be fired or burned as soon as they leave the ma-
chine. Owing to the great pressure required to cause the
particles of clay to cohere together, the articles made by this
process have greater density than those made in the ordinary
way ; they are also less porous, and not subjeet to decay by
wet or frost. In addition to these advantages, any architec-
tural device may be impressed upon the clay, Ns hick, when
burned, will retain all the sharpness of the original, however
elaborately finished. _

By this'process bricks can be made in all weathers, And
with greater economy than by any other plan known at pre-
sent. The brick-press is worked by hydraulic pumps, giving
about 300 tons pressure, thus producing the adhesion of
cohesion. The machine delivers the brick (four at a time in
the present machine) ready at that instant for the kiln, re-
quiring no exposure to the atmosphere to dry. The whole
operation, from the time of putting the powdered clay into
the machine to the delivery of the brick, occupies about half
a minute. Machinery might readily be constructed to pro-
duce fifty bricks in a minute. This invention is likely to
work a revolution in the style of buildings in this country :
the most elaborate Gothic may be produced at no very great
cost. An outlay of £2,000 or £3,000 in machinery will
produce to an intelligent licencee many thousands a year.
The SECRETARY exhibited a brick made by this process.
It attractoid much attention.
The SECRETARY also exhibited some specimens of buttons.
They were.truly elegant, and were very much admired. At
the present time, about 5,000 gross of buttons are made
weekly, at Messrs. Minton and Boyle's, at Stoke-upon-Trent.
The demand for them is greater than can be supplied by the
present number of presses.

IMPONDERABLES

Mr. ADIE read an interesting paper on the subject of " im-
ponderables." The object he had in view was, he said, to
show the value of the law of the diffusion of fluids to assist
us in forming ideas of matter which cannot be weighed by
mechanical means. There might exist in nature fluids having
a sensible ponderability, whose exact weight could easily be
assigned, if experiments or observations in any collateral
branch of science could be produced to show the velocity
with which the matter in question would, under a known
pressure, flow into a vacuum. The general law for the dif-
fusion of fluids was that they- flowed, under like circum-
stances, into a vacuum with a velocity inversely as the square
roots of their densities, or specific gravities. The hypothesis
of Dr. Dalton, that particles of one gas act as a vacuum to
those of another, had been confirmed by the experiments of
Dr. Graham and others, and the fact that they flowed into a
vacuum with the velocity stated, was established by experi-
ment. The extension of this law, (the concession of which
was required to his argument) was, that in addition to its
governing all known fluids, it also extended to those of w hose
existence at present we have only strong suspicions—namely,
the imponderables• heat, electricity, magnetism, the retherof
astronomers, c. The imponderables, if material at all,
must be aerial fluid, anSI subject to the laws of fluid, unless
they can be shown to be an exception to that as yet known
universal law.

After noticing the difficulty that presses against the belief
in the immateriality of heat (yet unresolved), the lecturer
reverted to the old corpuscular theory, which, sustained by
the highest authority, still claimed attention ; and on this
theory the law for the diffusion of fluids was a valuable
servant.

" To show the weight (he continued) of practically speak-
ing imponderable bodies, let me suppose we have a room
which we can fill with atmospheres of different fluids at
pleasure, all of them under a uniform standard barometric
pressure of 30 inches. In addition to this we must have a
close vessel communicating with the room by an orifice that
can be quickly opened. If, then, the air be exhausted from
this vessel, and the orifice opened, it will be found that the

atmosphere air in the room will flow into it with a velocity of
from 1300 to 1400 feet per second. If the room be filled suc-
cessively with gases of various known densities, the velocity
with which they flow into the room can be easily predicated
from the _known rate and density of air. For example—
Vapour of camphor would f10w.... 570 feet per second:
Carbonic acid gas

Atmospheric air, taken at a quar- 1 1320 „
ter of a mile per second
Vapour of water
Hydrogen gas
What, then, would be the velocity into the close vessel of a
supposed fluid, with a pouderability so small as to require
the most skilful analysis to detect its weight. A gas weigh-
ing a quarter of a grain for 500 cubic inches may be taken as
the type of such a body. It would be 620 times lighter than
our atmospheric air, and would consequently flow into a
vacuum with a velocity of nearly 6x miles per second. Any
aerial fluid lighter then this must remain imponderable by
direct experiment in our laboratories, though in large masses
its weight may be very considerable. Suppose the room
filled with heat or light still under the same barometric pres-
sure, if we could measure the velocity with which they pass
through the orifice, their specific gravity might be calculated.
Their velocity is so prodigious, that we possess no means of
measuring their velocity under 30 inches pressure, but astro-
nomers supply evidence on this head. The velocity of light
has been found to be 195,000 miles per second. The amount
of retardation, when it passes through an atmosphere of 30
inches' pressure, is also shewn by experiments on refraction,
from which the rate at which light or heat would flow into
the close vessel might be assumed to be ascertained. On
the corpuscular theory, then, of heat, it diffuses itself into a
vacuum with a velocity of 195,000 miles per second. Atmo-
spheric air under similar circumstances flows with a velocity
of a quarter of a mile per second. These velocities are in-
versely as the square roots of their densities : hence the spe-
cific gravity of heat, on this view, is the 608-billionth part of
air, and the weight of a cubic mile of such an aerial fluid is
nearly 1500 grains—a weight so far beyond the limits of
ponderability with reference to our senses, that it must be
augmented 100 million times before it could be practically
weighed."
The lecturer then carried his calculations according to this
law, to reckon the specific gravity of an infinitely more atte-
nuated fluid—the tether in which the undulations of light
have the vast velocity mentioned. Sound vibrated in air
with a velocity of 1130 feet per second, and such air had a
diffusive force of 1320 feet per second. Here sound suffered
a retardation of 190 feet per second, and light vibrated
900,000 times more rapidly than sound. Making a calcula-
tion, therefore, on the principle before stated, the diffusive
velocity of tether, according to the Dynamic law, was
136,000,000,000 of miles per second. He had reck-
oned the weight of a sphere of tether the size of our earth,
and, supposing it to be weighed under like circumstances to
air of standard pressure, the weight would be very nearly 70
grains. If the diffusive velocity thus given be bdrne out,
the whole woight of the tether in the vast sphere of solar space
assigned by Herschell to be 100,000 times the mean diameter
of the earth's orbit—the aggregate of the 70 grain spheres
necessary to fill with tether this great sphere, may be judged
of, when it is considered that their total weight would be
equal to our solid globe taken 74 times. The lecturer then
proceeded to deduce an hypothesis that this medium (tether),
though yet unsettled, was the basis of all atoms of matter,
and that these, less or more compressed, formed oxygen,
hydrogen, mercury, and so on, or other primitive bodies.
" This view of the subject," he said, " would leave us less
perplexed as to the source of iron and nickel found in the
composition of meteoric bodies which sometimes reach this
earth—nay further, even as to the comets themselves."
" I do not know," he continued, " if these considerations
will be objected to on the ground that they extend too far for
mortal ken. Certainly, in the present state of our knowledge
they are not ripe for decision, but it must be remembered
they all appertain to inquiries into the laws of matter, where
it has been permitted for the faculties of man to receive from
nature the development of so many of her perfect laws.
Should a grand extension of those laws ever take place in our
day, I do not think there would ever be any ground to fear
evil, from a momentary feeling of exultation or pride for the
step attained ; because it would be sure to be quickly sub-
dued by a contrary feeling of reverence and awe for the great
Author of all, of whose works we had only succeeded to un-
derstand the first link."

In further treating of the ascertained velocity of light, he
showed how, by simple steps, astromoners rose to sonic of
the beautiful conclusions they attained. He explained the
trigonometrical mode adopted by them to measure the sun,
moon, and other objects not approachable. An accurate base
line on this earth (its diameter) was the fundamental ground-
work from which we deduced all the sizes and distances of
the planetary bodies. The distances of the sun and planets
being ascertained by systems of triangles, the law of gravita-
tion enabled a skilful analyst, from a few observations of po-
sition, to predicate the path of the body. The path and dis-
tance of the planet Jupiter had by such means been long
known. The times of revolution of his satellites, and, con-
sequently, the periods of their occultation behind his disk
were equally well ascertained. The observed occultation was
behind the calculated one, by precisely the time required for
the velocity of light at the rate of 195,000 miles per second.
Herschel had truly said, that to form any conception of this
vast velocity we must compare it with objects we know, and
he institutes a comparison between it and a cannon ball, also
the flight of a bird, He (the lecturer) might be allowed to
add a comparison with a locomotive !engine. In the time
that the five feet wheel of such an engine travellingat the rate
of 40 miles per hour, makes a single revolution, light will
pass through a space equal to 50,000 miles, or nearly twice
the circuit round our globe. _ . _

He concluded by The physical astronomer,
whose enquiries are conducted independently of all external
objects, can do little without observations of positions of the
heavenly bodies, furnished him by the practical observer;
while the united labours of these two classes would always be
expressed in terms involving at least an unknown quantity
the site or weight of our earth, until they associated them-
selves with a third class, who are devoted to experimental
science ; for their task of weighing and measuring the earth
is a question of a purely practical nature ; so that even here
we may read the lesson we are all taught should govern us in
private ;ife,—l mean our dependence on one another."
A GENTLEMAN put some questions to the lecturer on the
mode of measuring the distances and dimensions of heavenly
bodies by means of an imaginary base line—the diameter of
the earth. These elicited some satisfactory explanations.
JOHN ROSSON Esq., alluded in eloquent terms to the
progress and beaefits of the society. 'With reference to the
specimen of bricks produced, he considered it incumbent on
the legislature to repeal or greatly reduce the present duty
on that article, which tended to deteriorate our domestic ar-
chitecture. He was much delighted to observe the quality
of Mr. e!•osser's bricks, which was greatly superior to those
hitherto introduced not even excepting the Dutch bricks
brought to this country in the reign of King Wm. and Queen
Mary, when we could not make bricks suited for our humid

climate. He proposed a vote of thanks to the council of this
society, for their exertions and ability in promoting its inte-
rests. He noticed, in conclusion, the advantages that had
arisen in France from similar societies,—stating that the fine
docks of Hamburg were designed and built by members of
the Polytechnic school. He anticipated the happiest results
from the progress of the society to the town at large.
The motion was unanimously carried, as were votes of
thanks to the lecturer, to Mr. Prossor, to Mr. Rosson, and
other friends, and to the proprietors of the STANDARD, for
the facilities afforded them in reporting their meetings. These
were for the most part feelingly acknowledged, and the
members adjourned to the committee-room, where, before
separating, they partook of tea and coffee.