356 Literary and Philosophical Society. 



scopical section are at present in active existence. The 

 chemical section has long ceased to meet, and at present 

 there is scarcely room for it. The new society of students 

 in Owens College seems to be found more convenient for 

 such of the members as are likely to attend. 



The publications of the Society consist of Memoirs and 

 Proceedings. The latter are printed after every meeting 

 and distributed with the circular calling the next. In this 

 way the abstracts of work done are published rapidly, 

 being sent not only to the members but to newspapers and 

 scientific journals. The Memoirs are published in octavo 

 at irregular intervals. 



The Society was very active till 1803, having in eight 

 years printed six volumes. The earlier volumes sold well, 

 and helped to build the present house, which cost 6oo/. ; 

 during 45 years afterwards it published only seven volumes ; 

 during the next twenty years it published ten volumes, so 

 that about 1840 it began a period of activity after a rather 

 slumbering state. The period of early activity produced 

 above all Dalton, with Henry and the founders who have 

 been mentioned. The second period of less activity pro- 

 duced certain men of mark of which the Society may be 

 proud, but no society was very active during that period 

 of war and struggle with its consequences. 



The third period has produced Joule's work, and we may 

 claim some of Sturgeon's, and brought to the Society a 

 greater variety of men and study. It is not easy to judge 

 our intimate friends, but it is certain that there are in this 

 third period more men in the Society who are members 

 of other societies the Royal, for example than in any 

 former period. The Society may partly be judged of in this 

 way, and not solely by the papers read at its meetings. 



