•52 

 MARCH, 13th 1868. 



Annual Soiree op the Quekett Microscopical Club, 

 AT University College. 



The second Annual Soiree took place at University College, Gower-street, on 

 March 13th, 1868. The spacious halls and rooms of the building were placed at 

 the disposal of the Committee by the Council of the College, and it is eminently 

 due to that body to acknowledge the enlightened and hearty support they 

 have afforded to the cause of popular science as represented by this and other 

 societies. 



The microscopes and collections of objects of interest were arranged in the 

 principal library of the College, and also in the Anatomical Museum, which was 

 specially fitted up for the occasion. A large dark room was provided in one of 

 the corridors, where some of Dr. Maddox's exquisite Micro-photographs were 

 exhibited upon the screen by the lime-light, and also some of the effects of 

 polarization. Eefreshments were served in two of the class-rooms and in the 

 Museum. 



The visitors began to arrive by eight o'clock, and were received at the 

 head of the principal staircase by the President (Arthur E. Durham, Esq.), 

 the Treasurer (Mr. Hardwicke), the Secretary (Mr. W. M. Bywater), and other 

 members of the committee. About 900 ladies and gentlemen were present dur- 

 ing the evening. One hundred and seven microscopes were contributed by 

 seventy-five members of the club, and fifteen makers displayed ninety-eight 

 instruments. 



The deficiencies of the following account must be attributed to the difficulty of 

 ascertaining what was really shewn, and to the impossibility of personally inspect- 

 ing every object of interest in so great a multitude. It must be observed 

 that extreme novelty, either in instruments or specimens prepared, can 

 hardly be expected on occasions like these. Anything new is generally 

 brought forward at the ordinary meetings of our societies, or published in 

 other forms, not reserved for these annual occasions. But still an observant 

 and experienced eye may form a judgment as to the state of the particular science 

 which may be represented. It is much the fashion for individuals to express 

 their opinion of their own attainments on these occasions by disclaiming the idea 

 of anything whatever being new to them. They have seen it, or had it, or 

 done it, often and long before. But it is equally certain that the most 

 universal genius may obtain and does obtain hints and suggestions which, if they 

 do not actually originate anything new, may modify conclusions or throw a dif- 

 ferent light on previous opinions. Giving the first place to the members of the 

 Club, the following were noticed: — 



Mr. Bentley. — A microscope supposed to be 200 years old. 



Mr. Bezant. — A number of slides containing Poramenifera, Polyzoa, 

 Diatoms, &c. 



Dr. Braithwaite. — A collection of specimens and drawings of Mosses. 



Mr. Burgess. — A large microscope giving a field of 23 inches in diameter. Pre- 

 parations of a large size, both dry and in balsam ; the latter chiefly consisting 

 of whole insects, the slide being 3 inches by 2 inches and being capable of 

 examination by the half-inch and four-tenths-inch objectives. Some pre- 



