LONDON GOSSIP.

Nelson Examiner and New Zealand Chronicle, Volume IX, Issue 440, 10 August 1850, Page 95

LONDON GOSSIP.

Wrta ChanlerfM BdhOmrgk JmrnwO, Jm. Sj

Not only business, bot bodies corporate, star signs of reamroation with tbe coming on of winter; and a» our learned aorieties (and the unlearned omk too) are shaking off their vacation dust. The Geographical* are all alive with re> ports from smd abont traveller*, and if the propositions thrown out can be accomplished, we shall soon know something more of tbe interior of Africa and other unknown regions. Tbe Chemicals are talking of acid* and alkalies, organic and inorganic bodies, andtMhe "metamorphosis of dieyanometanih'ne," a mysterious process about as easy to comprehend by the uninitiated as metaphysics. The Zoological* are discussing (not devouring) tbe birds and animals and whatever subjects of natural history may come before them at then* meetings; where the frequent introduction of new specimens affords a significant hint that we have not yet got to tbe end of animated nature. The Society of Arts have read papers on a new principle for suspensionbridges- and piers-^-whieh was suggested to the author's mind by his seeing lines of cobwebs one day stretched across a Street, and a spider working on them— and on flexible breakwaters and lighthouses, another attempt at what has been so often tried — open piles; but in this instance with a system of counterbalancing weights. The Civil Engineers have survided the listening to the subject of coffer-dams, as exemplified by the huge structure (1,500 feet long) in use at Grimsby Dock*, which famous works it is said will by and by come into spirited rivalry with those on the other side of the H umber at Hull. The dean of Westminster, Dr. Buckland, was present at one of the meetings, and suggested the propriety of engineers becoming geologists, so as to be able to make surveys without falling into error about strata. Shrewd advice on the part of the dean. The Literatures have been occupied with memoirs on Egyptian antiquities, and on Mount Sinai ; and the Asiatics, as usual, are busying themselves with. Sanscrit inscriptions and sculptures, extracting facts useful to tbe historian or ethnologist out of matters seemingly the most intractable : even as bees suck honey from nettle blossoms. The Antiquaries, among other matters, have been treating themselves to details on the boundaries of land in the old Saxon days, from which facts may be gathered as to monuments of olden time; In a document of this sort, drawn up in the tenth century, they find mentioned as a boundary-mark Welandes Smiddan (Weland's Smithy), or, in other words, Wayland Smith's Cave, with which we are all familiar in Scott's famous romance of " Kenilworth." One can hardly forbear a smile at what, when thus heaped together, appears such a strange-looking jumble; but we know that the grand sum of human knowledge is thereby increased : so *uum guigrue.

Last, though not least on the list, comes the Royal Society— the " Old Lady," as certain irreverent philosophers are pleased to call the venerable corporation. The Fellows, according to custom of nearly two centuries' standing, held* their anniversary meeting on St. Andrew's Day, their noble president, Lord Rosse, in the chair. The address delivered on the occasion contains a few points worthy of notice. His lordship intimated that a series of soirees would be held, as heretofore, on a scale befitting the first learned society in Europe. He announced also that Lord John Russell had offered to place £1,000 annually at the disposal of the council of the society, at a fund from which scientific men may be assisted and enabled to pursue their investigations. The council, as you may suppose, have accepted the offer. They will have a delicate and important task to perform in the administration of the fund, one that can be successfully accomplished only by singleness and sincerity of purpose. Let us hope that no petty views will ever be allowed to interfere with a trust, the conferring of which will to some extent relieve our Government from a reproach under which it has long lain— that of presenting the cold shoulder to philosophy.

As usual, during the course Of his address, Lord Rosse gave away certain rewards to science in the shape of gold medals. The Copley medal, the most honourable — Davy called it the "olive crown "—was awarded to Sir Roderick Murchison for his " Silurian System." " Geology of Russia and the Ural Mountaina," and other able works in the department of knowledge to which he has especially devoted himself. Two Royal Medals were given: one to Lieutenant-Colonel Sabine for •• Researches in Terrestial Magnetism :" the other to Dr. Mantell for his palteontological works. Twenty years ago, the doctor predicted, from a portion of a bone found in Tilgate Forest, the structure, habits, and dimensions of that huge saurian the iguanodon ; and now that, bit by bit, discoveries have completed the osteology of the animal, the worthy sayan finds his conclusions verified, and gets a medal for his pains. There have been, as you know, many abortive attempts made to apply electro-magnetism as a motive power: despairing projectors may now take new heart, for the Academy of Rouen proposes a prize, to be awarded in August, 1852, for the best essay on the question, " What system of galvanic apparatus, regard being had to power, economy, regularity of movement, and simplicity, is to be preferred by those who endeavour to derive from electric currents a motive force applicable to any branch whatsover of industry ?" The supersession of steam as a pfime mover is one among the possibilities entertained by able physicists : whether it will take place so early as 1852 remains to be proved. The Royal Academy of Sciences of Berlin also offers a prize of 100 ducats for "An investigation of turf (peat) with especial reference to the employment of the same and of it* ashes as manure.'' Here is an alluring inquiry for agricultural chemists. The manuscripts, which may be ia German, French, or Latin, at the pleasure of the writers, are to be sent in by the Ist of March, 1852: the adjudication of the prizewill take place in July of the same year. Apropos of Berlin ; two of its most famous professors--) Dove and Miiller — were so much affected by thelate political disturbances, that the former waa obliged to give up his duties, and travel in pursuit of fugitive health, while the latter became mentally i deranged. To this cause, and to the university deputations which took place in Prussia in September last, we may attribute the small attendance

of German tavans at the meeting of the British Association.

A gowtp", as you know, must not only talk of what is new, but also report on what is progressive in the old. I may therefore proceed to tell you that another Model Lodging-bouse was opened on the 12th. The company who built the one in St Pancras have just completed a new one- in Spitatfield* : it will accommodate 324 single men •nd 50 families. Judging from the demand for rooms in their former building, the new edifice will bs speedily tenanted. Besides this, a lodging-house for single men (not by the same company) has beenqfitted up in Old Compton Street, Soho. It is intended for clerks and assistants, who, for 3s. 6d. per week, will have '' all the comforts of a private home, combined with well-ventilated sleeping-rooms, every convenience for washing and cooking, airy sitting* rooms, and a reading-room supplied with books, papers, and periodicals. This establishment will accomodate 130 inmates. This is progress of the right sort: it is not, however, confined to London : a move is being made at Ipswich, supported and sanctioned by Messrs May and Ransome, whose foundry works are well known. In the words of the report, " the site of a Workman's Hall has ' been determined on, the money is now ready to build it. It will cost about £,1000. There will be forty dormitories for single men and lads, which will be let at about Is. 6d. a week, including attendance; there will be a large room for evening resort — a workman's drawingroom, a library, and readingrooms. The building will be fitted up with baths, the whole under the management of a resident matron and mistress. The privileges of the hall will be available to every workman upon the establishment upon paying a subscription of Is. a quarter ; and each member will thus not only have a cheerful room to spend his evenings in, but the opportunity of obtaining his early breakfast, his dinner, and his cup of tea at a cheap rate from the kitchen, where a cook will be always in attendance." If, after this, Ipswich workmen don't thrive, it will be their own fault ; and it is to be hoped that Workmen's Halls will ere long be found in other counties besides Suffolk. Indeed rumours already reach us of something of the sort being taken in hand at Manchester and other places. Then, again, baths and washhouses are growing : at Birmingham the first stone of a bath-establishment for the poor was laid two months ago ; and the citizens of Hereford and Oxford are bestirring themselves in the same cause. It will be interesting to watch the gradual spread and increase of cleanly habits. Still more, a Commission appointed by government is inquiring into the vexed question of "Smithfield, and devoutly is it to be wished that the honourable gentlemen may decide it ; that we may no longer be-in doubt as to the salubrity or insalubrity of the reeking cattleyard, Wont it be glorious to have the space now so uninviting laid out as a park with green turf, trees, and gravelled walks ? What a boon it will be for the densely-crowded population of the immediate neighbourhood 1 Cattle and swine once banished from the city, there is no reason why slaughter houses should not follow ; and here your Edinburgh "fleshers" have set an example in petitioning for three acres of .land in' a proper site whereon to erect the necessary buildings. May success attend their efforts ! and furthermore, the sooner you get your new water supply the better, for we may then be able to profit by your experience.

In addition to baths and washhouses at Oxford, a project is on foot for a new college in the venerable university, on a more liberal standard than those already existing : it is not in the nature of things that exclusiveness should always prevail. Normal Schools at Gloucester are also talked of in connexion with the same scheme. But colleges to wit : the opening of the new establishments in Ireland shows that a love of learning is wanted as well as schools. Queen's College, Cork, I am told, commenced with less than forty students; while the college at Galway could mutter only nineteen : at this rate it will be some' time before the endowed scholarships are taken up. Several of the professors are taking a holiday in consequence, waiting while the classes grow. Something better than this is reported from the antipodes: at Hobart Town has recently been incorporated " The Royal Society of Van Diemen'a Land tor Horticulture, Botany, and the Advancement of Science." It originated -in 1843; the Queen is patronness, and a yearly grant of £400 is given by Government to pay salaries and promote the general objects of the institution. The last published report states that eighty volumes, besides pamplets, have been brought together as the nucleus of a public library ; as well as many hundreds of specimen* towards a museum ; and of the large botanic garden, it is praise-worthily recorded that " the society have sought, by rendering the gardens attractive, and throwing them freely' open to 'the public, to diffuse a love for simple enjoyments, and to establish tastes and habits of & laudable and instructive tendency amongst a dais hitherto left to fill up the void of leisure hours with amusement and gratification derived often from questionable, if not objectionable sources/ You will riot be astonished to learn Ihtat a Krge increase in the number of visitors, "whtise propriety of conduct deserves to be recorded," followed 'ihis wise arrangement, The meetirigv of the society are lieldorke a month*, theie are l»etwden 100 and 200 members, and' the papers and proceedings ate published in a quarterly journal. The first number of this contains reports on the dbal basins of Tasmania.

'Among literary matters, several valuable scientific works have lately made ' their appearance :' supplements to the narrative of the American Exploring Expedition, geological, botancial, ethnographical, &c We are, it is said, to have solttethjrig very wonderful from the. States on the' •object of ethnology before long, in an essay on races'Of taen considered withrefsrence to woolly' or hairy ht&da-^Nout turroit* / Besides this, our beyond-sea brethren are eontemplatinga "Nautical Almanac" of their own, bo a* to be independent of the one calculated by "old country" astrono-. men. There is much to be said for and against. It carried into effect, it is proposed to reckon the longitude from New Orleans— -a point six houn in time, or ninety degrees from Greenwich ; and then to bring this en rapport with the observatory at Washington. An astronomical journal is also

to be published, to comprehend " not only researches in every department of physical, theoretical, ■ and practical astronomy, but also investigations on all subjects directly connected with these, such as pure mathematics, geodesy, the theory of instruments, &c. — to the exclusion, however, of popular articles and general speculations." Such a design, eminently calculated to promote peaceful relations among philosophers of all-civilised countries, deserves to prosper.

A work has just made its appearance here, published at-Leipsic, which maybe ranked among the curiosities of literature It is entitled, "Biographical Bibliography, or Dictionary of 26,000 Works, Ancient and Modern, relating to the History of the Public and Private Life of Celebrated Men of ell Times and of all Nations, from the Beginning of the World to our Days." The dedicatory page shows the name of Alexander Yon Humboldt surrounded by an ellipse of stars, and the work is offered to him as "premier connitable of scientific Europe." The author, E. M. Oettinger, says, "this work which now very modestly knocks at the door of the learned world is the fruit of twelve years' labour, the exploration of twenty great libraries, and of 10,000 catalogues, which we have turned over during this period." The book is a tall quarto of nearly 800 pages; if favourably received, the author intends to bring out as a sequel "Historical Bibliography, to contain all the Monographs relating to the People and Countries of the Universe." Such a feat as this quite reminds one of the patient labours of monkish historians. Dr. Obm, another learned German, has sent over his first volume of " Contributions to Molecular Physics." Following the general practice of his countrymen, he begins at the beginning, and starts with the " Analytical Geometry "of the subject ; at this rate it will be long ere he reaches the end. There is a fact worth noting connected with the history of this book: some years ago Ohm made a most important discovery in the laws relating to electric currents, which for a long time was known only through a plagiarised version -brought out by some Frenchman as his own. At- length the Royal Society recognising the - value of Ohm's researches, honoured him with their Copley medal, which approval has reanimated the doctor to further labours in the same field, and he dedicates his book to the Society, as he says, "out of gratitude." And here! may mention that Mr. Smee has published a supplement to ait " Electric Biology,' which he calls "Principles of the Human Mind." It consists of a series of texts, in a style somewhat aphoristic, oa the -various subjects developed in his former work, embracing all mental phenomena, in health and disease, deranged or defective : in morals, aesthetics, instinctive and acquired ideas. We are to have a translation, too, of Quetelet's "Laws of the Social System," by Professor Nichol; and, to leave this topic, I may just add that Mr.'Layard is again at Nineveh : he reached Mosul last September, and has recommenced his' labours. Already a painting has been discovered which exhibits the mode in which the two huge sculptured bulls were transported to their respective positions. This time Mr. Layard is accompanied by a skilful draughtsman : he has again visited the hill tribe of Yezidis, or Devil- worshipper!, so that we may look for another interesting book in due season

Noteworthy subjects are continually turning up in various circles of -gossip, according to their quality. " Have you heard," says one, "-what the ' Recueil of the Socie'te' .Poly technique' says about a new mode of turning waste steam to account ?" The proprietor of a factory took it into his head to introduce his waste steam under the roots of pine-apple plants; and such was the combined effect of heat and moisture, that a magnificent crop of ripe fruit was the speedy result, and of a j much finer flavour than usual, owing to the growing part of the plant having been daily exposed to the open air. Then another will call your attention to the monster monolith, mentioned also in the same publication, which has been quarried by the Russians to serve as a pedestal for the statue of their late emperor, Alexander. The huge mass is 30 metres (98*45 feet) in length, [by 7 metres -22*97 feet) square, and weighs, or is estimated to weigh, 4,700,000 kilogrammes (4,626 tons). Six hundred quarrymen were engaged two years in preparing it ; and its erection, under the superintendence of M. Montferrard, a French architect, required 30 capstans and 2,000 men. The stone which supports the statute of the great Peter weighed originally about 1,800 tons, less than half the weight of the new block, which, it is to be presumed, we must regard as a specimen of the gigantic scale of Russian .operations- A third asks you to look at some notes he has made of recent American inventions, where you find that a Mr. Bussey of Illinois has patented a machine, which makes 'fences and ditches at the same time. He describes it as a " combination of two ditching machiens, so that the sods cut from two parallel ditches shall be elevated and placed, with the, grass, out in a continuous ridge between the said ditches at one operation." ' Then in Massachnsets a Mr. Howe has constructed a moat ingenious machine for sewing— to do the work of, sempstresses and tailors. The clo^h, or other material, is held between wires, serving** basting threads, attached to raetel plates, wlrdch move with the progress of the work. ' Two threads are used, one carried by the needle, the otbjp by a shuttle. The needle is .'curved, with the eye about one-eighth 'of an inch from the point ; a vibrating arm in which it is held thrusts it through the> cloth about three fourths of an inch, when the protruding curve and thread resemble iv appearance a strung how. Immediately the shuttle is made to pass through f hi* bow, between the steel' and string, in such a way that " the thread which was carried in by the needle is surrounded by that received from the shuttle ; and as the needle is drawn out, itforces that which was received from the shuttle into the body of the cloth ; and as this operation is repeated, a seam in formed which has on each side of the cloth the same appearance as that given by stitching, with this peculiarity, that the thread shown on one side of the cloth is exclusively that which was gives out by the needle, and the thread seen on the other side is exclusively that which was given out by the shuttle. It will therefore be seen," thus pursues the inrentor, " that a stitch is made at every back and fourth movement of the shuttle,"