Proceedings of the Society of Arts. 407 



May 16. — Sir John Graham Dalyell, Kt., President, in the 

 chair. — Sir John stated, that certain letters on the present de- 

 fective and oppressive state of the Law of Patent for Inven- 

 tions had been addressed to him as President of the Society ; 

 but the omission of his correspondent, a very inteUigent per- 

 son, to specify his place of abode, had hitherto precluded him 

 from communications in return. As nothing could be more de- 

 sirable to those who valued truth and expediency than being 

 guided to both through whatever channel, he should now pro- 

 pose the appointment of a special committee to investigate the 

 subject. — Agreed to. 



The following communications were then laid before the So- 

 ciety : — 



1. On the best Method of Constructing the Interior of Buildings in- 

 tended for the accommodation of Auditors and Spectators, and its appli- 

 cation to Lecture-rooms, Churches, and Music- rooms, by arranging the 

 Seating according to certain Isacoustic and Iseidomal Curves. By John 

 Scott Russell, M.A., F.R.S.E., M.S.A. Drawings were exhibited. (542.) 

 Thanks. To be printed. 



2. Mr Sang concluded his paper on the Construction of Obhque Arches. 

 Thanks. To be printed. 



3. Description and Sketch of a new Instrument for sharpening and set- 

 ting the Teeth of Saws. By Mr Alexander Proudfoot, Newbigging, near 

 Carnwath. (541.) Referred to a committee. 



4. Model and Description of an Improved Bottling Cock, suitable for 

 wines, ales, porter, &c. By Mr R. Rettie, brassfoundry, 20 Royal Ex- 

 change Square, Glasgow. (502.) Referred to a committee. 



5. Drawing and Description of a proposed Rotatory Steam-engine. By 

 Mr J. B. Montrose. (558.) Referred to a committee. 



6. A Musical Catechism, with Tunes for the use of the Blind. Printed 

 in Raised Characters at the Glasgow Asylum, 1838. By John Alston, 

 Esq. of Rosemount, Honorary Treasurer to that Institution, Hon. M.S.A. 

 (559.) Referred to a committee. 



7. Letter on Moulding and Casting Works of Art. By Nicholas P. 

 Comins, Esq. Madeira Place, Leith. (564.) Thanks. 



8. Donation. — A Multiplication Table for the Blind. Printed in raised 

 Characters at the Glasgow Asylum, 1838. Presented by John Alston, 

 Esq. (560.) Thanks. 



9. Donation. — Lehrbuch zum Unterrichte der BUnden. By Johann 

 Wilhelm Klein, Director of tlie Institution for the Blind at Vienna ; with 

 6 copperplates. Printed at Vienna, 1819. Presented by John Alston, 

 jEsq. (561.) Thanks. 



. 10. Donation. — The Gospel according to St John, printed in Embossed 



