January 2\st, 1919.] PROCEEDINGS. ix. 



Included with the manuscripts and other Joule memorials that 

 have been collected is a letter from James Clerk Maxwell expres- 

 sing the following opinion of the labours of Joule : — " There are 

 only a very few men who have stood in a similar position and 

 who have been urged by the love of some truth, which they were 

 confident was to be found though its form was as yet undefined, 

 to devote themselves to minute observations and patient manual 

 and mental toil in order to bring their thoughts into exact 

 accordance with things as they are." 



Ordinary Meeting, January 21st, 191 9. 



The President, Mr. William Thomson, F.R.S.E., FT.C, F.C.S., 

 in the Chair. 



A discussion took place on "The means by which the 

 Society may promote most effectively the Advancement 

 and Application of Learning in Manchester." 



The President, in introducing the discussion, referred to 

 the great tradition of the Society, and the. important part which 

 it had played in the history of Manchester during the past 

 century, and especially to the very notable contributions to 

 scientific knowledge which has been made by some of its 

 members. 



Professor F. E. Weiss, D.Sc, F.R.S.,in opening the discussion 

 said that the Council had invited a number of representatives of 

 the Industries of Manchester, in addition to those who were mem- 

 bers of the Society, in the hope that the Society might have the 

 benefit of their suggestions and criticisms in the effort which it 

 desired to make to enlarge its sphere of public usefulness. As a 

 member of the University he welcomed the opportunity of expres- 

 sing the hope that the Society might prove of special value as a 

 meeting ground where the members who occupied more academic 

 positions might have the advantage of discussion with the 

 business people of Manchester. 



Among the suggestions put forward by various speakers 

 were the following: — 



I. That while the Society should retain its present ftijnc- 

 tions as a learned Society, its members might meet 

 with others interested in the advancement of Science 

 for informal discussion in the rooms of the Society. 

 Such gatherings might be held in the middle of the 

 day or in the evenings, and light refreshments should 

 be obtainable on these occasions. 



