126 THE RETROSPECT OF THE YEAR. 



and around the Chaudiere river through Canada to Point 

 Levi opposite Quebec. From here they crossed the St. 

 Lawrence to Quebec, ascending the plains of Abraham and 

 remaining there tor a short time ; then proceeding up the 

 river to Pointe-aux-Trembles, where they were afterwards 

 joined by General Montgomery ; the two armies then pro- 

 ceeded up the river and attacked Quebec where Mont- 

 gomery was killed, Arnold wounded and many of the sol- 

 diers killed, wounded or taken prisoners ; and what was 

 hoped to be a victory was turned into a defeat. Had Ar- 

 nold been successful in this expedition, it might perhaps 

 have so changed subsequent events that he would not have 

 been a traitor to his country. 



Monday, Feb. 3, 1890. Eev. Charles B. Rice of Dan- 

 vers lectured this evening on "Aluminum Prose and Po- 

 etry." He stated that the metal was very abundant, but 

 so mixed with oxygen that it was hard to be got out. It 

 used to be worth $100 per pound. Many of the precious 

 stones are largely composed of aluminum, as sapphire, 

 ruby, topaz, moonstone, etc. It is also in many common 

 minerals and earths ; a ton of good clay might contain 

 from $600 to $800 worth of it. 



The progress that has been recently made in separating 

 aluminum from other metals and its great abundance have 

 led some enthusiasts to predict that we are on the verge 

 of an "aluminum age," and that great possibilities with 

 the metal lie before us but just what possibilities remain 

 to be seen. It is very light for a metal, about the same 

 weight as an ordinary stone. 



It does not rust, is not affected by sulphur or acid, does 

 not tarnish, and is not poisonous. Its strength is much 

 less than iron. It is not easily worked and does not take 

 hard or soft temper like steel ; so that it looks as if " the 



