124 NOTICES OF THE MEETINGS [Feb. 20, 
In the Library were exhibited : — 
Native Salts from Tarapaca, Peru, presented by W. Bollaert, Esq. 
Crystals of Meconic Acid, Morphia, &c. [Exhibited by T. N. R. 
Morson, Esq. M.R.I.] 
Specimens of Harmotome, and Cale Spar Crystals. [Exhibited by 
Mr. Higbley, jun. } 
Spanish Terra Cottas; and a Drawing after Lucca di Robbia, by 
Mr. W. G. Rogers. 
Porcelain Vessels for Chemical Purposes, from the South of France. 
[Exhibited by W. T. Copeland, Esq.] 
Minié’s Projectiles, used by the Chasseurs of Vincennes. [Exhibited 
by J. Prosser, Esq. ] 
Native Gold from California — Green Carbonate of Copper — Car- 
bonate of Lime, &c. [Exhibited by Mr. Tennant. ] 
Microscope by Mr. Varley. 
WEEKLY EVENING MEETING, 
Friday, February 20. 
Tur Duxe or NortHuMBERLAND, F.R.S., &c. President, 
in the Chair. 
Mr. F. C. Penrose, 
On some Relations of Science to Architecture considered as 
a Fine Art. 
ScientTiFIc considerations not only apply to the Constructive in 
Architecture, but also to its esthetic element. 
Science was defined by the Lecturer as ‘“‘ the knowledge which is 
derived in the first instance from the observation of natural pheno- 
mena aided by reflection upon the results of such observation,” and 
he classed under the head of Science, so defined, all careful consi- 
derations of the analogy of Nature and Art. 
In all the most perfect works of art the economic and esthetic 
ends are answered together. [Illustrations were drawn from the 
beauty of the tapering shaft of a Greek column, which with the same 
amount of material has more stability than if cylindrical; and from 
the graceful form of the Eddystone lighthouse, of which the contour 
was chosen chiefly with reference to the form of greatest resist- 
ance. 
The perception of beauty is an innate idea implanted in man by 
his Creator, and the only really perfect examples are to be looked 
for in Nature; but the highest works of art may come so near per- 
fection that we can propose no material change which would not 
more or less injure their beauty. The most important lesson which 
can be learnt from a careful examination of Nature is that no design 
is perfect until the utmost attainable utility is combined with the 
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