FOR THE ADVANCEMENT OF SCIENCE. 151 



society, throwing aside the stern tone of the lecturer, and mixing 

 with the busy throng. — In the course of the day, Mr. J. Simpson, 

 Advocate of Edinburgh, delivered a lecture on the Philosophy of 

 Education, at the Assembly-rooms. It was attended by a genteel 

 audience of both sexes, and elicited very warm admiration. Mr. 

 Simpson's views are just and rational, and he is eminently happy 

 in the illustration of his principles. Anecdotes of Sir Walter Scott, 

 and frequent playful and entertaining allusions, rendered his argu- 

 ments as popular as they were clear, and well calculated to promote 

 the best interests of society. 



A great number of the members of the Association went to Han- 

 ham, by water, on Friday morning, to view the progress of the 

 Great Western Railway. The arrangement of the procession, and 

 the provision for the requisite accommodation of the visitors were 

 undertaken by Captain Claxton. During the progress of the pro- 

 cession, the banks of the river were crowded with spectators — Ano- 

 ther portion of the members embarked in the Killarney steamer, 

 and after viewing the fine botanical and mineralogical collection of 

 Mr. Bright, at Ham Green, Mr. Miles's splendid picture-gallery, 

 at Leigh Court, continued their voyage round the Holms, and re- 

 turned to Bristol in the evening. 



There was a general meeting this evening at the Theatre. The 

 Marquis of Northampton presided. — The presidents of the different 

 Sections reported their proceedings, and Dr. Buckland alluded most 

 particularly to the discoveries made by Mr. Cross. The patrons of 

 science owed him great obligations for an achivement which would 

 immortalize his name in the annals of geology. 



The President said that Dr. Buckland had observed that Mr. 

 Cross had no intention, when he came to Bristol, of at all communi- 

 cating his discoveries, but was led to do so by the discussion he 

 heard. This was a very singular and pregnant instance of the ad- 

 vantage derived from this Association. 



Dr. Buckland then delivered a short lecture on Geology, and the 

 meeting broke up at 11 o'clock. 



The ceremony of laying the first stone of the Clifton Suspension 

 Bridge,perf ormed by the Marquis of Northampton, was a splendid 

 sight ; this commencement of the greatest work of science and art, 

 which the skill and ingenuity of man has ever yet attempted, was 

 well timed, and proved a highly interesting termination to the pro- 

 ceedings of the week. The rocky ridges on both sides of the river 

 were crowned with animated human life, and the effect, amid such 

 scenery, can hardly be imagined, far less described. 



The following dimensions of the bridge will enable our readers to 

 form some idea of this gigantic undertaking : — 



Distance between the two points of suspension 700ft. 



Length of suspended roadway 630ft. 



Heighth of roadway above high-water mark 230ft. 



Total width of floor 34ft. 



