Me. W. Keddie on the Early History and Proceedings of the Society. 121 



standard, whatever it might he, duodeciraally, decimally, or binally, 

 giving preference to the latter mode. This essay was published on the 

 recommendation of the Society. 



Mr. P. Fleming presented a copy of a work of his on the Base Line 

 for Trigonometrical Surveys. The base line was a fertile topic of discus- 

 sion at subsequent meetings. 



Mr. Hugh Wilson submitted a new oar, so constructed as to enable 

 the rower to sit with his face to the bov/ of the boat. 



JNIi". Hart exhibited a pigeon with only one leg, and no vestige of 

 another. 



In 1822, a paper was produced by Mr. James Beaumont Neilson, on 

 the " Method of Purifying Coal Gas, by passing it through a weak solution 

 of Sulphate of Iron." Mr. James Thomson, chemist, introduced the 

 subject of " Calico-printing and Turkey -red Dyeing." The Circulating 

 Medium and the Principles of Political Economy came under review. 

 Among tlie new members this year was Mr. Archibald M'Lellan, 

 coachmaker, the founder of the City Gallery of Art. 



Mr. Allan Clark exhibited an "Arithmetical Machine," making it, 

 says the minute, " perform addition, subtraction, multiplication, and 

 division." When set, it added up the sum of £999,999 19s. lid., or 

 one penny less than a million of pounds sterling. The idea of this con- 

 trivance had occurred to Mr. Clark fifteen years before. 



Mr. Thomson propounded to the Society a plan for the application of 

 mechanical power for the benefit of the public. The power of five men 

 is equal to that of one horse, was his first proposition ; the second was, 

 that the value of one horse's power is £50 per year. Therefore the 

 power of one man is equivalent to ^10 a-year. Thus, a number of men 

 walking or treading on the periphery of a large wheel, would have all 

 the effect and steadiness of a horse-gin. And in cities such as this, 

 where power is required in almost all manufacturing processes, the poor, 

 destitute, and strangers without resources, might occasionally be em- 

 ployed on such tread-wheels, and receive wholesome food for theii* 

 labour till they got other work. These wheel-houses, it was suggested, 

 might serve as places of call, where labourers might be got at all times. 

 In all places where there is a redundant population, the labour of a 

 number of the people might thus be turned to account. This method 

 of applying force for the public benefit was particularly recommended 

 by the author as suitable for workhouses, bridewells, and other places. 

 This paper gave rise to much grave debate, extending over more than 

 one sederunt, and running into devious channels, as may be inferred 

 from the fact of the Society's having seriously entertained the intention 

 of recommending the plan as suitable for raising water in such towns as 

 Vol. IV.— No. 1 . u 



