Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1853-10-21
gntelliaente.
British Association for the Advancement of
Science--Lieut. Maury,s Charts.

science--Lieut. Maury's Charts.
The British Association for the Advancement OF
Science met al Hull, England on the 9th ult. The
usual address on the objects and proceedings OF
the association was read by Prof Hopkins, Vice
President of the Royal Society.
Commencing with astronomy, he stated that be-
tween the 23d Of July 1852, and May y, 1898
nine new planets We're discovered, OF which Mr.
Hind had discovered four; while the probability
was, that there were many more still to be recog-
nized In connection with this subject, he stated
the result of the interview with the Premier OF
England, as TO the establishment Of a powerful re-
hecting telescope in the southern hemisphere
The Earl of Aberdeen had expressed himself ia
yoraby toward the object but had referred the
matter TO the Chancellor ofthe Exchequer. "Judg-
ging,n he said, :" from all we know respecting Mr.
Gladstones views on subjects of this nature, and
the favorable manner in which the House of Com
mons has always received propositions for the adj
vancement of science, we have every reason TO
hope that my successor in this chair may have the
satisfaction of announcing 10 you another proof OF
the liberality OF the government In such case,
the result, doubt not, will afford another proof
that the association is dong effectively what il
processes TO do as an Association for the Advance
inent of Science" After reference to the progress
of terrestrial magnetism the publication ofsother-
nal NAYS, and other purely scientific matters, the
president proceeded 10 say, my predecessor in
his address, informed MS OF an application made TO
our government by that of the United States to
adopt general and systematic mode of observing
phenomena Of various kinds AT sea, such as winds,
tides, cure nts, NC, which may not only be OF
general scientific interest, but may have an i'm
portant hearing on navigation. The plan proposed
by Lieut.. Maury, and adopted by the American
government, is 10 have the required observations
regularly made by the commanders of vessels sent
out 10 sea. am happy TO be able TO state 10 you
that our admiralty have given orders for similar
observations TO be made by those in command OF
English vessels and we trust also that proper per-
sons will be appointed without delay for the re-
ducton of the mass of observations which will
thus soon be accumulated The recommendation
of the general committee, that in the event of a
survey of the Gulf Stream being undertaken, pro-
vision should be made for investigating its zoology
and botany has been communicated to the hydro
grapher of the admiralty, and favorably received.
proposition from Dr. Bache, director ofthe coast
survey of the United States. for Joint survey of
the Gulf Stream by the United States and Great
Britain, having been addressed to the British As
socation since the Belfast meeting, has been for
warded to the photographer ofthe admiralty.
Mr.. Hopkins concluded his review by an est-
mate of what he conceived 10 be the legitimate
objects of the association Some great duty" he
said switch owe TO the public is to encour-
age the application of abstract science 10 the prac
tcal purposes of life--to bring, as it Were the
study and the laboratory into juxtapostion with
the workshop. And doubtless, it is one great OBJ
Ject of SCIENCE TO bring more easily within the
reach of every part of the community the rational
enloyments well as the necessaries of life and
thus not merely to contribute TO the luxuries of
the rich, but to minister also to the poor, and to
promote the general enlightenment so essential
10 moral progress and real advance of civil
cation But still we should not be taking that
higher view of science which would wish to in
culcate, If we merely regarded II as the means OF
supplying more adequately the physical wants of
man. If we would view science under its noblest
aspects, we must regard ii with reference TO man,
not merely as creature of physical wants, but as
a being of intellectual and moral endowments,
fitting him TO discover and comprehend some part
at least OF the laws which govern the material uni
verse, to admire the harmony which pervades it.
and TO love and worship its creator"
This abstract of Professor Hopkins address
presents matter for rejoicing to every lover OF sci
ence in our country. The influence of our coun-
tryman, Lieutenant Maury, and the acknowledged
lead our country has taken in nautical matters,
such as the winds and currents of the ocean, &c,
is something which thrills our heart. The con-
GLIDING part of the address shows the difference
between ancient and modern philosophers. In the
days of old they carefully used knowledge TO keep
the people down; modern philosophers endeavor
TO elevate them. We thank Professor Hopkins
for the sentiment which he has uttered above,
namely, one great duty we owe the public is to
bring the laboratory into Juxtaposition with the
workshop; to encourage the application of alb
stract science TO the practical purposes OF life"
We must say that both the British and American
associations for the advancement of science great
w need this advice. The majority of the papers
abstract as To be positively useless in relation
10 any useful purpose. We will endeavor after
this TO present an abstract of the few practical
papers which We're presented at the sttings of this
association Scientific american.
The steam Packets Oh the Ohio.--The Wheel
ing IRteNieencr of Saturday has the following ac-
sount of the consolidation of the Union Line and
Pittsburg and Cincinnati packets, and extension
of the line TO st. Louis:
The negotiations between the directors of the
Union Line of steamboats, and the Pittsburg and
Cincinnati packets with view TO uniting the two.
lines and forming combined daily line from Pitts
burg to St. Louis, have been concluded. and the
contract for the consolidation entered into. Its
main features are as follows:
The line between Pittsburg and Louisville is to
be composed of nine first class boats, five of which
are to be furnished and owned by the Pittsburg
and Cincinnati line, and four by the Union line.
The line between Louisville and St Louis TO con-
sst of seven first class boats four of which are TO
be furnished and owned by the Pittsburg and Gin
cnnat line, and three by the Union line.
Each line to have three directors, thus giving
the Union line an equal voice in the general man
agement Of the business, the regulation of prices
Of freight and passage. The concurrence of, at
least, two Of the directors of each line shall be
necessary to make an order valid.
Passengers and freight are not TO be carried
from Pittsburg to points below Wheeling at the
same price as from Wheeling to those points nor
from st. Louis, or any points below Wheeling, TO
Pittsburg, at the same price as from those points
10 Wheeling; but pro rata charge to be made for
The increased distance.
II is agreed that any existing arrangement Of
The Union line with the Baltimore and Ohio rail-
road shall be fulfilled by the combined line and
that none Of the parties are to use any influence
10 the prejudice of the business of said road, in
favor of any other railroad; and that in like man
ner, any existing engagement of the PittsbTg and
Cincinnati packets with the Pennsylvania Railroad
Company are to be complied with, and that the
parties are not TO use any influence to prejudice
the business OF said road, in favor of any other
railroad company.
One boat to leave Pittsburg every morning, and
10 stop at Wheeling long enough to receive pas
sengcrs and freight On the trip up, one boat TO
leave Louisville daily, and arrive in Wheeling, if
practicable in time 10 connect with the passenger
train OF the Baltimore and Ohio railroad going east.
English Opinions of American State Papers.
The London Ne,cs remarks:
q Eron, tho time of Alexander Hamilton 10 that