New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-09-29


meeting of the mathematical and physical sec
ton and he takes active part in the dis-
cussions He at his best this morning IN
giving an account Of experin' nts conducted by
himself and two associates in electrifcation and
characterization of gases. He has a strongly
marked benignant Scotch face with gray beard
and hair, and a high forehead While not a
smooth and fluent speaker. since he has con-
tracted the English habit Of hesitation and re-
working of sentences midway. he has an ami
mated STYLE makes many expressive gestures
and is most gracious and cordial in his manner.
The lucdtv Of his mind Is revealed when he Is
suddenly exposed to suggestions and criticisms.
as he was this morning from Professor Lodge
and others: and his kindness OF heart inspires
annreciative and magnanimous comments upon
every paper that is read before the section
Lord Kelvin. great man OF science as he IL. mas
the simplicity Of child in his social relations
and manner Of life. He is an optmst who be
Ueves that the world is on the verge of scientific
discoveries more remarkable than any which
have ever been made.
After Lord Kelvin the second place Of honor
in the association belongs TO Lord Rayleigh.
He too is frequent speaker in the discussions
of the chemistry and mathematical and physicai
sections and a very direct, logical and forcibie
debater he is. The account which ne gave OF
his own investigations Of his element,
argon in connection with Professor Ramsay
experiments with helium has been the most i'm
portant contribution made this year to the work
of the association It revealed the patience and
tireless labor with which scientific processes of
study are conducted by men Of the first rank.
Week after week he had to watch and wait
until he had stored up a sufficient quantity or
the new gas to allow him TO determine its re-
fractive index and to experiment upon It, HIS
argon was obtained from air by the removal OF
| nitrogen by the oxygen method and with
series Of electric sparks. As the proper
ton Of argon in the atmosphere is very small
| only ! per cent this process was most tedious
| one Having at last obtained a supply OF his
new element, he weighed 1t and found that its
density was the same as the same gas which
| had been prepared by 'he magnesium method;
| and then he proceeded TO take the retroactive
| index and TO ascertain the viscosity. Then fol-
lowed a series Of intricate comparative !nvesti-
cations of the corresponding properties OF argon
| and helium. which were only Ineligible 10 ex-
perts: but even IL the audience could not follow
the details, 1t was impressed with the intellec-
| tual struggle which had been in progress in the
| scientific laboratories and with the conquest Of
| mind over matter which had been accomplished
| The most popular dis cussions Of the session
have been those in the Public Hall on the rela-
ton Of agriculture TO science. and In the anthro-
| biology section on Interference with the Civili-
| cation of Other Races" The former the
| conventional debate. which Is repeated year
| after wear in connection with similar discus
| sions in the economics section on remedies for
| agricultural distress. The latter had the charm
| of novelty. It was the sequel to the brilliant
| presidential address delivered by Professor W
| NJ Flinders Petrle. who has made a great repu-
| Stonehenge and the neurology Of ancient monu.
| ments and by his work In Egypt and Palestine
| for the Exploration Fund.
CIVILIZATION AND SAvAGERY
| This discussion confined 10 those who
| had had practical and personal experience In
| uncivilized countries. and was intensely interest
ing including a paper b. Lord Stanmore ant
remarks from many points OF view by Pro
fessor Haddon. DR. Gust. DR.. II. o. Forbes
I'm Thurm. Ling Roth and others The rela
tions Of travellers missionaries. traders. Off
cred 1t was contcnded by several speaker.
that savage customs often usefu
than those which were substituted for them
and that clothing too often confused with
morality. Professor HaddOn remarked that IN,
experience OF all travellers that there wa:
\ absolutely no connection between the quantity