I$6 Mr, Alderson on Congreve Rockets. [Feb, 



Article XIII. 



On Congreve Rockets. By Lieut. R. C. Alderson. 



(To the Editor of the Annals of Philosophi/.) 



SIR, Hull, Jan. 12,1822. 



I WAS very much astonished on reading in the 12th number 

 of the Annals oj' Philosophi/ for December last, under the head 

 6f Scientific Intelligence, the very ingenious invention of the 

 application of the Congreve rockets to the whale fishery attri- 

 buted to Capt. Scoresby of the Fame. As a friend of Lieut. 

 Golquhoun, of the Royal Artillery, the inventor of this mode of 

 destruction to the whale, I cannot help contradicting a state- 

 itient so erroneous. Lieut. Colquhoun having applied to the 

 son of Capt. Scoresby, of the Fame, who commanded a fishing 

 ship which sailed from Liverpool, to take him out for the pur- 

 pose of trying the effect of the rockets on the whale, and finding 

 that that gentleman had previously engaged to take out Capt, 

 Manby on a different plan, was recommended by the son to trie 

 father Capt. Scoresby of the Fame, at Hull, with whom Lieut. 

 Colquhoun and two artilleryman sailed ; the result of the voyage 

 was, as stated in your valuable work, successful beyond expec- 

 tation ; and I have no doubt from the improvements made in the 

 weapon by the patentees, Sir William Congreve, Bart, whose 

 name stands deservedly so high in the scientific world, and 

 Lieut. Colquhoun, since the voyage, that it will be of vital 

 importance to those concerned in this trade in all its branches, 

 and more particularly in the sperm fishery, since it requires little 

 skill in its application, and wet has no effect whatever on it. 

 I shall esteem myself particularly obliged if you will give publi- 

 city to these Jacts in any shape you may think proper; and allow 

 iae to subscribe myself, Sir, 



Your most obedient humble servant, 



R. C. Alderson, Lieut. Roy. Engineers. 



Article XIV. 



Statements of Professor Play fair respecting the University of 



Cambridge. 



(To the Editor of the Annals of Philosophy.) 



SIR, Trinity College, Oct. 25, 1821. 



I HOPE you will allow me to take advantage of your pages for 

 the purpose of correcting certain mis-statements which have 



