72 On the Nature of alkaline Matter, &c. 



authorize such an inference. The discovery, however, will 

 be partly due to them if hereafter the fact be substantiated. 



1 cannot close this communication until I shall have said 

 a few words concerning the high encomiums on n.icrosco- 

 pic chemistry, accompanied by the hitler philippic against 

 " the dismal, large, subterraneous laboratory." Chemistry 

 must now, we are told, be transferred to " the comfortable 

 fire-side of the drawing-room ;" from Vulcan's foul stithy 

 to my lady's chamber. This elegant change is to give 

 " new impulse to the advancement of the science, and new 

 schools are to arise under new auspices." Most happy 

 shall I be to find these Eutopian prospects realised. It 

 seem.s, however, more than probable, that the successful 

 impulses already given bv the schools of " mv verv learned 

 and approved good masters," Cullcn, Black, and Fordvce, 

 will retain the cultivators in the paths now ojieped. And 

 with regard to the scene for operations, the privilege of 

 taste will he asserted ; for that indeed is not disputable either 

 in chemistry or elsewhere. Becher's taste was opposite to 

 that of the ingenious new advocates : "Nee quicquam prae 

 carbonibus, veneni-j, fuligine, follibus, et funds valere po- 

 test."- — Phys. Suiter. Prcpf. The lord high chancellor of 

 England not long ago declared in court, that he would 

 not pay sixpence for the rapturous notes of Mara or Cata- 

 ]ani. This also was a n)atter of tasie, and no one dis- 

 ])uted : it w-as only observed by a large majority, that his 

 lordship had " no music in his soul, aiTd was not charmed 

 by concord of sweet sounds." — No more. 



The value of a tree is best known by its fruits : and ac- 

 cordinglv to inform the judgement of the pul)lic by practical 

 examples; and as sonie return for the notice with which 

 my papers have been honoured, I shall, with your permis- 

 sion, offer for your next naniber a few remarks on the 

 publication in general which has produced this communi- 

 cation ; in which, whatever difierino, opinions may subsist, 

 I assuredly must admire the ingenuity, and respect the 

 knowledge, of the honourable antagonists. ■ 



George-street, Haiiover-sqiiare, (J, P, 



Jan. 14, 181'J. 



X. Proceedings of Learned Societies, 



ROYAL SOCIETV. 



Jan. 9 and 16. -i hr conclusion of Dr. Herschcl's paper 

 on the late comet was read. The Doctor entered into a 

 very minute investigation of the nature and extent of the 



luminous 



