Clifton College Scientific Society. 5 



engine invented by Branca in 1629, Blasco de Garay's engine, 

 Denis Papin s, and others, followed by a description of Thomas 

 Newcomen's, which he illustrated with a diagram. The inven- 

 tions of James Watt were explained at some length, and this 

 part of the paper iinished with Stephenson's locomotive. Tlie 

 following is an extract : — 



' The steam-engine is the universal civiliser of the world. It 

 has done more to increase human comforts, and render acces- 

 sible to the poor man things unattainable without its influence, 

 than any otlaer invention. By means of it friends meet friends, 

 sociable habits are cultivated and increased, nations are knit 

 together in iron bonds of alliance, commerce has been extended, 

 a new era has dawned for literature — in short, there is no art, 

 science, or branch of industry that has not benefited directly 

 or indirectly since the discovery of this subtle giant. We 

 ought then to honour and hold sacred the names of those two 

 Englishmen, Stephenson and W^att, perhaps the greatest bene- 

 factors of the human race, who, in bringing forward their in- 

 ventions, had to struggle against obstacles of every sort, but 

 with true English spirit overcame them all, and lived to see 

 the beginning of their good work.' 



J. Duncuft next described at length Watts' ' Double-action 

 Engine, and Parallel Motion,' giving also an account of the 

 locomotive. 



The lecture was illustrated throughout with diagrams and 

 Avorking-models. It was received with much applause. 



MEETING, Feb. 17, 1871. 

 The President in the Chair. 



The second meeting for the term was held on ] 7th February. 

 There were fifty-five members present. 



J. G. Grenfell, Esq., was elected an Honorary Member. 



The President brought before the meeting full details of the 

 proposed plan of working by ' sections.' He stated that it had 

 been determined to found seven sections in all, and that each 

 section should have ten members. A Director would have to 

 be appointed over each, and the President and Secretary were 

 to be ex officio members of all. 



A motion, based on this plan, was passed unanimously. 



