224 Proceedings of the Philosophical 



a consequence, they were visited by many of the citizens, and not by 

 them only, but also by many scientific strangers. Amongst the latter 

 may be mentioned the late James Watt, who, on every visit he made to 

 Glasgow, uniformly called on the deceased and his brother, and fre- 

 quently invited them to spend evenings with him at his hotel. Shortly 

 after his return from the last visit he made to Glasgow, he, as a mark 

 of his regard, presented the Messrs. Hart with some valuable work 

 tools, and accompanied the present with a letter, of which the following 

 is a copy: — 



" Heathfield, Birmingham, December 19th, 1815. 

 " Gentlemen, — On Saturday last, I took the liberty of sending, by 

 the Manchester waggon for Glasgow, a small box, directed as this letter, 

 containing a best Sheffield brace, and thirty-eight bits, and two drill 

 stocks, with twelve drills each, of which I request your acceptance, as a 

 mark of my regard. I hope they will be of use in your pursuits. 



" They may be in Glasgow in a fortnight, and you may inquire for the 

 box at Mrs. Walsh's, in Stirling Square. 



" I shall be glad to hear that you receive them safe, and how your 

 telescope goes on. And remain with esteem, 

 " Gentlemen, 



" Your obedient humble servant, 



(Signed) "James Watt. 



" Messrs. J. & K. Hart, 

 Mitchell-Street, Glasgow." 



The Society then proceeded to the Fiftieth Annual Election of Office- 

 Bearers. Mr. Cockey and Mr. Dawson were requested to act as 

 scrutineers of the votes. The scrutineers having retired to examine the 

 vote-papers, 



Professor William Thomson read a paper " On the Decomposition of 

 Water by Galvanic Elements of low intensity, and on the Electro- 

 Polarization of Platinum Plates." 



The scratineers reported the following to be the result of the election : — 



Prrsfticnt. 

 Thomas Thomson, M.D. 

 Vice-President,.. Walter Cuum. Librarian, ..R. D, Thomson, M.D. 

 Treasurer, Andrew Liddell. 



Soint Secretaries. 

 Alexander Hastie, M.P. | William Keddie. 



Council 

 Arthur Mitchell, M.D 



James Bryce, M.A. 

 William Ferguson. 

 William Gourlie. 

 Alexander Harvey 



William Murray. 

 Neil Robson. 



William Thomson, M.A. 



Allen Thomson, M.D. 



G. W. Arnott, LL.D. 



Robert Sinclair. i A. K. Young, M.D. 



