Hev. J. Barlow, on Aluminium. [March 14, 1856. 



sonorousness and ductility of aluminium have led to piano-forte 

 wires being made of it ; it may likewise be found useful in lining 

 brass musical instruments, especially those having valves and slides. 

 The properly of resisting oxygen, sulphur, and acids, as well as its 

 great power of retaining heat, render it highly valuable for culinary 

 purposes. If, as may fairly be hoped, aluminium be hereafter pro- 

 duced at a rate that will bring it into competition with iron, it may 

 supersede that metal in fabrics where lightness would, to a certain 

 extent, compensate for inferiority of strength. 



For example, the low specific gravity of aluminium, its freedom 

 from all tendency to rust or tarnish, and its consequent power 

 of reflecting the hot rays of the sun, indicate it as an appropriate 

 material for the roofs of houses. As this metal is capable of plating 

 iron, it would furnish a permanent and imperishable substitute for 

 the paint now used for the protection of iron-railings, water-pipes, 

 cisterns, &c., and which requires (what an aluminium surface would 

 not) constant renewing.* The value of the oxide of aluminium in 

 the ancient arts of life, pottery, dyeing, &c., is notorious. It may 

 not be visionary to expect that, before this century shall have closed, 

 equally important services in augmenting the comforts of civilized 

 life may be performed by the metal itself. 



[J. B.] 



At the close of Mr. Barlow's discourse, Dr. Faraday briefly, 

 but earnestly expressed his sense of the obligations which M. Sainte- 

 Claire Deville had conferred on the Royal Institution by his presence 

 on that occasion, as well as by the time, intelligence, and trouble 

 which he had devoted to make the members and their friends 

 thoroughly acquainted with the interesting substance so honourably 

 associated with his name. These sentiments were cordially re- 

 sponded to by the company. 



* It is calculated that more than a quarter of a million sterling is annually 

 expended, in the metropolis, on the paint necessary to protect the iron work of 

 houses and other buildings from decay. 



