PRESIDENT’S ADDRESS. yes 
Mr. E. C. Brice is the second claimant for a process of 
converting base metals into precious ones; but, on putting 
his process for transmuting lead, tin, antimony, and other 
metals into gold to the proof, it was found that the base 
metals used contained traces of gold, as they always do, 
and that under the rigid supervision of the officials at the 
Washington Mint, Mr. Brice obtained less gold from them 
than the small quantities which they really did contain. 
THE TEACHING OF CHEMISTRY. 
The London County Council appointed a special com- 
mittee of its Technical Education Board to inquire into the 
teaching of chemistry, and after hearing evidence from 
witnesses well versed both in the German and English 
methods, and fully considering the results obtained, they 
arrived at the following chief conclusions :— 
Ist. That the teaching in schools should be solely of an 
educational character, and should have no refer- 
ence to practical, 7.e., technical application in 
later life. 
2nd. Chemistry, pure and simple, is a most valuable 
means of education, and requires to be largely 
imparted by means of laboratory work, i.e., 
experimental exercises. 
ord. That too frequent examinations of young students 
gives rise to great evils. 
Ath. The preparation of the technological chemist 
should extend over several years; it should be of 
University standard and include original research. 
A report to the Council on Hducation by Sir Philip 
Magnus, and his colleagues on Technical Hducation in 
Germany, supports the above-cited report, and it-lays great 
stress upon the very great advantage which Germany has 
derived from its systematic application of science to 
industry. 
