Preface. vii 



atomic theory was treated, since I hold that the 

 work of Dr. Joule was a continuation of Dalton's ; 

 and the works of Dal ton and Joule have given, and 

 must continue to give, the main honour, and that is 

 not a small one, due to the Society. Of Dr. Joule, 

 whose chief discovery has here been spoken of, too 

 slightly I believe, and who is the great successor of 

 Dalton, and must stand as a prominent figure in any 

 society of which he is a member, I would gladly 

 have said more. Dr. Dalton filled up very fully a 

 large portion of the first part of our history, and Dr. 

 Joule has stood, and stands, the main figure in the 

 second. We can claim only a part of the honour 

 arising from Mr. Sturgeon's labours, since he came 

 here after much of his work was done. 



I must especially thank Dr. James Bottomley 

 for the trouble he has taken. A committee was ap- 

 pointed to assist me, but a committee cannot write 

 a book. 



I regret that I have been unable to devote more 

 time and energy to the work ; it may appear ungra- 

 cious not to have given it my whole heart. Had I 

 the hope of a life as long as that of the Society, 

 the result might have been more than these notes. 



There have been, mainly, two objects in the 

 volume : first, to give a fair specimen of the spirit 



