Birmingham state herald. (Birmingham, Ala.) 1895-1897, 1897-01-31
LATEST THEORY IN SCIENCE
Vibrations Which Produce Sound
and Light
CAN NOW BE CALCULATED
Health of the Gar and Czarna the Cause for
Much Speculation.
BAYARD VERY MUCH IN DEMAND
Prince of Wales Will Break Bread With
the Ambassador = France Complains
of a Dearth of Children-Cham-
berlain in Bad Light.

London, Jan. So.-(Copyright, 1897 by
the Sun Printing and Publishing Associa-
tion.) )-The latest discovery, or, rather,
the latest theory in science is that of
brain waves, so at least it is described
in the presidential address delivered
Thursday to the British Society of
Physical Research by Prof William
Crookes. He entered before launching
his theory upon an elaborate calculation
as to the vibrations which produce sound
and light
Then he applied similar law to the
subject of thought transferrence, and
suggested that it was quite conceivable
that intense thought concentrated by one
person upon another with whom he was
in close sympa thy should induce tel
opathetic chain along which brain waves
should go straight to their goal without
use of energy due to distance. Such
speculation was, he admitted, new ana
strange to science. as it was at present
strictly provisional; but he was poid
enough to make it, and the time miehl
come when it could be submitted 70 eAs
perimental tests. The professor spoke OF
the work which is being done by the So
ciety as likely to form no unworthy pref
ace to the profoundest science OF man
of nature and of worlds not >reahzea
than we yet had and said he could see
10 reason why any man OF sclentinc iniho
should rather shut his eyes TO or stahu
deliberately aloof from 1t. He enoeaV-
ored in q long argument to clear away
the scientific superstitions" whlch pre-
vent many from venturing into research
which might in time dominate the whoR
world of thought. -,
# is difficult. and not impossible to dis
cover the truth among the mass OF con,
hicting reports in regard to the healtn OIL
the cZar. 1t is matter OF some slgnln-
canoe that all Of the pesslmist nohsers
come from ST. Petersburg via Vienna,
while all the official announcements al
firm that the czar Is in the best or healtn.
Still il is practically admitted in the
semi-official report that the postpone
ment of certain royal visits Is due TO the
unsatisfactory condition OF both tne eIl-
peror and empress. There is no DOUBT
Whatever that the terrific strain of events
during the past year has had severe
effect upon the royal couple 1t could
not have been otherwise had they peeh
of the most robust physique. Ii is ao-
mitted also that the young emperor coHl-
mitted the game mistake as his father
in insisting upon making personal 1nVes-
tigation of every matter demanding MS
attention as a sovereign. His constitu-
tion is weaker than that OF Alexander
III, and the result is a partial nervous
ing to the most reliable accounts at mana,
has caused frequent attacks of neural,
eia in the nature of occasional emofionai
collapses and even one or TWO Ialhtihs
fits The situation has been aggravated
by the sharp and jealous rivalry between
the two factions at court with regard TO
certain features of the governments pol
icy. This has greatly distressed the czar,
who does not possess his fathers lofty,
though arbitrary decision OF character;
1t is even said that he has expressed
helpless disgust at the cabinet council.
The latest blow was the loss of the ex-
pectation of the early birth OF an he1r
to the throne, which was great d1sap-
pointment to the czar, as well as to the
whole Russian people. 1t is fully real
lied that the situation demands rest
more than medicine for both the emperor
and the empress, and the organization OF
a new council of state to relieve the
czar of a large measure of detail work
will do much to res tore him to his full
vigor
No day now passes which does not aad
to the evidence of how great a man is the
American ambassador in the estimation
of the English people.
His public engagements Tor the next
few weeks are limited only by his inclina-
ton to accept invitations. He is already
booked to speak at Harrow, Sheffield and
at the Mansion house, at the Washing
tons birthday dinner and at other places.
Next Wednesday he will entertain at his
own table twenty-six gentlemen VINO
from the English point of view include
the most distinguished individuals in all
the land. The Prince of Wales will for
the first time thus honor an American
envoy In fact it begins to appear that
the foremost men of the British empire
propose to indicate to the unappreciative
authorities at Washington that in their
opinion at all events Ambassador Bay
ri fo m than
periors.
Frenchmen or a large section of them,
are beginning to manifest serious con-
Germ over the revelation of the last CEN
sus that France is the only great nation
which no longer is obeying the divine
command to increase and multiply. the
subject has been taken vigorously In
fandtby public men and others and varl-
Gus plans H. We already been suggested
for making Frenchmen amenable to the
Compulsory fatherhood. 1t has been
pointed out that by reason of her short
comings in this respect France loses
every year battle of Sedan. The ma
tional alliance for the increase of the
population of France has this week pre-
sented a petition to the prime minister
setting forth certain drastic measures
which the government is urged
to adopt. DIR. Bestillon, the inventor OF
the system of measuring criminals, is the
head os the society and its plan includes
some interesting features. 1t proposes
that government scholarships in schools
and academies be given only to families
having1at least three children living. All
favors of the government. such as tobac-
conists' license, concessions in the colon
les. eto. shall be given such families.
When the claims of government officials
for promotion are decided. the number OF
their children shall be taken into account.
Allowances and travelling expenses to Of
ficials as well as salaries of such shall
their children. Posts under the govern
ment except those requiring such special
qualifications shall be given only to ia
thers having more than three children.
Already something has been done to en-
every seventh child may be educated and
boarded at school at the expense Of the