126 THE RETROSPECT OF THE YEAR. 
and around the Chaudiere river through Canada to Point 
Levi opposite Quebec. From here they crossed the St. 
Lawrence to Quebec, ascending the plains of Abraham and 
remaining there for a short time ; then proceeding up the 
river to Pointe-aux-Trerables, where they were afterwards 
joined by General Montgomery ; the two armies then pro- 
ceeded up the river and attacked Quebec where Mont- 
gomery was killed, Arnold wounded and many of the sol- 
diers killed, wounded or taken prisoners ; and what was 
hoped to be a victory Avas turned into a defeat. Had Ar- 
nold been successful in this expedition, it might perhaps 
have so changed subsequent events that he would not have 
been a traitor to his country. 
Monday, Feb. 3, 1890.— Rqy. Charles B. Rice of Dan- 
vers lectured this evening on "Aluminum — Prose and Po- 
etry." He stated that the metal was very abundant, but 
so mixed with oxygen that it was hard to be got out. It 
used to be worth $100 per pound. Many of the precious 
stones are largely composed of aluminum, as sapphire, 
ruby, topaz, moonstone, etc. It is also in many common 
minerals and earths ; a ton of good clay might contain 
from $600 to $800 worth of it. 
The progress that has been recently made in separating 
aluminuln from other metals and its great abundance have 
led some enthusiasts to predict that we are on the verge 
of an "aluminum age," and that great possibilities with 
the metal lie before us but just what possibilities remain 
to be seen. It is very light for a metal, about the same 
weight as an ordinary stone. 
It does not rust, is not affected by sulphur or acid, does 
not tarnish, and is not poisonous. Its strength is much 
less than iron. It is not easily worked and docs not take 
hard or soft temper like steel ; so that it looks as if " the 
