THE MANCHESTER MICROSCOPICAL SOCIETY. 299 
To close the cell, This process should be left to the following 
day. First pick out, under a lens, with a needle, any foreign 
particles that may have obtained admission. Then run a thin ring 
of the gold-size round the edge of the cell with the turn-table. 
Place a cover-glass on the top, and having firmly pressed it into 
position, put on a steel spring-clip, with moderate pressure only. 
In a few hours the clip may be removed, and the slide put away to 
dry. In a few days another ring of cement may be put on, and 
the slide finished according to individual taste ; but if plenty of 
time be not taken over the final processes, so as to insure perfect 
dryness of the inner rings of cement before applying fresh ones, it 
will probably be found in a few weeks that the inner surface of the 
cover-glass will have minute drops of moisture upon it, interfering 
considerably with the definition of the object. The best advice to 
the “dry” mounter is “ Festina lente.” 
tHE MANCHESTER MICROSCOPICAL SOCIE bY 
HE ordinary monthly meeting of the Manchester Microscopical 
Society and the annual soirée of the mounting section were 
held on Thursday evening, October 4th, in the Lecture Hall of the 
Atheneum, George-street. There was an excellent exhibition of 
amateur work and a display of rare and valuable slides. There 
was a large gathering of members and their friends, including many 
ladies. Shortly after seven o’clock the chair was taken by the 
President, Mr. W. Blackburn, F.R.M.S., who was supported on the 
platform by Mr. G. E. Davis, F.C.S., F.R.M.S., Mr. Thomas 
Brittain, Mr. C. L. Cook, Mr. John Aitkin, F.G.S., Dr. Samelson, 
Dr. Hewitt, and other members. 
An interesting item of the evening’s programme was the present- 
ation of an illuminated address, beautifully got up and bound in 
the form of an album, to Mr. Thomas Brittain, who, owing to ill 
health and advancing years, has felt compelled to resign the position 
of a vice-president of the society. He served as president in 1882. 
Mr. Reston, photographer, Stretford, has taken an autotype 
portrait of Mr. Brittain, and this is to hang in the meeting-room of 
the society. 
The Chairman said he had much pleasure in making this 
presentation on behalf of the members of the society to Mr. 
Brittain. It was the original intention of the Council to present 
an illuminated address only, but there was such a liberal response 
to the application for subscriptions that they were able to do more. 
They received numerous suggestions from the members as to the 
