1015] on Gaseous Explosions 303 



however, it appears to be now established that combustion is not 

 quite complete even at maximum temperature, and Watson's experi- 

 ments on the spectrum of an explosion flame appear to support this 

 view. All these matters are still under examination, and it is hoped 

 that in the near future a much more complete knowledge may be 

 gained than at present exists. Much is known in a qualitative way, 

 and some quantitative knowledge has been attained, but much still 

 remains to be done in this way of quantitative determinations of 

 matters at first apparently so simple as specific heat. 



[D. C] 



GENERAL MONTHLY MEETING, 

 Monday, February 1, 1915. 



His Geace the Duke of Northumberland, K.G. P.O. 

 D.C.L. F.R.S., President, in the Chair. 



The following statement was read by the Secretary : — 



Caxton House, Westminster, 

 London, S.W. 



1st February, 1915. 



It has come to my knowledge that a short declaration on my part, with 

 regard to my position as a British Subject, and with regard to my sentiments 

 about the war, would be acceptable to the Managers of the Royal Institution. 

 I, therefore, venture to lay before you the following statement : — 



I was born in Hanover, both my parents having been British Subjects until 

 Hanover was separated from the United Kingdom in accordance with the 

 provisions of the Salic Law. 



In the year 1866, the Kingdom of Hanover was annexed by Prussia, and 

 thereby universal military service was introduced. 



In July 1867, I first came to England, and I went back to Germany in 

 1868 to absolve my military duties, but I was not accepted on account of my 

 shortsightedness. I had, however, to present myself again when the war 

 against France broke out in July 1870, and I joined a regiment of the line for 

 one year. 



Li October 1871, I returned to London, where I have resided ever since. 



As it became probable that I should spend my life in this country, I 

 resolved to follow the example of the late Sir William Siemens by becoming a 

 naturalized British Subject. 



To carry out this plan, I obtained my formal release from German 

 Citizenship in March 1878, and my certificate of naturalization (No. 2671) was 

 filed at the Home Office on the 16th of August, 1878. 



Thus I have been a subject of the Kingdom of Hanover for 19 years, of 



