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Proceedings of the Society of Arts, Session 1839-40. 



The Society of Arts held the first meeting of its Nineteenth 

 Session in the Royal Institution, on Wednesday the 13th No- 

 vember, 1839.— Sir John Graham Dalyell, Kt. F.A.S., Presi- 

 dent, in the Chair. 



The President, in opening the Nineteenth Session of this 

 Society, expressed his confidence that the long recess had been 

 prolific of invention. Animadverting on the great importance 

 of the Arts, he shewed the indifference of mankind to their 

 real value from being nurtured amidst their refinements. But 

 were the season of privation to come, even of those deemed of 

 little account, they would soon discover the worth of what they 

 had enjoyed ; they would feel how difficult it was to part with 

 conveniences and benefits which had been in a manner incor- 

 porated with their existence. Various obstacles opposed the 

 progress of invention and improvement of the Arts. First, 

 the want oi encouragement ; secondly, the want oi protection. 

 It was the special province of the Society to obviate the former, 

 for even the most humble devices were acceptable — as none 

 could predict their ultimate worth ; — and in regard to the lat- 

 ter, were the law of Patent to undergo revision, it might prove 

 very profitable to the public. 



The following commmiications were laid before the So- 

 ciety : — 



1. Narrative of the Suggestions and Experiments of the late Mr James 

 Taylor of Cumnock, in company with the late Mr Miller of Dalswinton, 

 for the application of Steam to Navigation. Edin. 1834. Presented by 

 Sir John Robison, K.H.j Sec. R.S.E. — Sir John Robison read the statement, 

 and exhibited the original drawings from which tbe first engine was made. 

 Sir John also exhibited the first model of the paddle-wheel boat, the dif- 

 jficulty of working which by manual labour led Mr Taylor to propose the 

 substitution of steam power. Sir John received the thanks of the Society, 

 and he was requested to draw up a short abstract of the narrative, with 

 some additional facts which he stated verbally to the Society, and not 

 generally known to the public, in order that they might find a place in 

 the Transactions of the Society. (G66.) 



2. Notice of a Polyphotal Lamp, and Reflector of Single Curvature, for 

 steam-vessels, and otherpurposes. By JohnScott Russell, A.M.— -V.P.S.A., 

 Greenock. This Lamp has been used for some years past with much suc- 

 cess, on the Union, and Forth and Clyde Canals, and is about to be 



