392 



NATURE 



\_Fcb. 2 1, 1884 



their own aggregation when dissolved. The same is true with 

 regard to solutions of liquids. The simplest of these is the 

 .solution of phenol and aniline in water. The stability of the 

 compound formed by phenol «ith aniline shows that both have 

 no affinity to water. Further, M. Alexeyeff discusses the ap- 

 plicability of his theory to bodies which easily pass from 

 one state to another, and the relations of water to colloids. The 

 solutions of liquids in liquids being, on his hypothesis, quite 

 like emulsions. He is engaged now in experiments intended to 

 show that the common emulsions have the properties of solutions. 

 M. Flavitsky proposes, in the Journal of the Russian 

 Chemical Society, the following interesting theory of chemical 

 affinity. According to this theory, the atoms of each simple 

 chemical body, when its molecule is dissociated, move in circles 

 parallel to one another, and to a certain plane, the position of 

 which is constant in space. Each chemical element has its own 

 plane of motion, and ihe circles described by the atoms of 

 different elements cross one another under different angles. Be- 

 sides, the atoms of opposite elements (such as metals and 

 haloids) move in opposite directions. The chemical relations 

 between different elements would thus depend upon the masses 

 of the atoms, their velocities, their positions on their orbits, the 

 direction of the motion, and the angles between the orbits ; while 

 the chemical combinations would be nothing more than the 

 mutual destruction (or rather equilibration) of the velocities of 

 the atoms of the respective chemical elements which enter into 

 a combination. This supposition would explain all the variety 

 of chemical relations even without a great difference in the masses 

 of the atoms and their velocities ; a complete stop might be 

 brought only when the orbits are parallel, or the orbits being 

 inclined with regard to one another — wlien a certain number of 

 velocities acting under different angles mal<e together the neces- 

 sary resultant. This mutual action of the atoms on one another 

 could be imagined — the .author says — at a distance, by means of 

 the ethereal medium which would be thus the medium of 

 transformation of the physical energy into the chemical one. 



TECHNICAL EDUCATION'^ 

 GENb;R.-\L Objects 

 'T'HE object of the Central Institution is to give to London a 

 College for the higher technical education, in which ad- 

 vanced instruction shall be provided in those kinds of knowledge 

 which bear upon the different branches of industry, whether 

 manufactures or arts. 



Just as the Royal Schoul of Mines give^ a technical training 

 to mining engineers, so the Central Institution is intended to 

 afford practical scientific and artistic instruction which shall 

 qualify persons to become — 



1. Technical teachers. 



2. Mechanical, civil, and electrical engineers, architects, 

 builders, and decorative artists. 



3. Principals, superintendents, and managers of chemical and 

 other manufacturing works. 



The main purpose of the instruction to be given in tliis 

 Institution will be to point out the application of different 

 branches of science to various manufacturing industries ; and in 

 this respect the teaching will differ from that given in the Uni- 

 versities and in other institutions in which science is taught rather 

 for its own sake than with the view to its industrial application. 

 In order that this instruction may be efficiently carried out, the 

 Institution, in addition to the lecture theatres and class rooms, 

 will be fitted with laboratorieF, drawing offices, and worksho|i^ ; 

 and opportunities will be afforded for the prosecution of original 

 research, with the object of the mnre thorough training of the 

 students, and for the elucidation of the theory of industrial processes. 



Students 



It is probable that the students seeking admission into the 

 Central Institution will belong to one or other of the following 

 classes : — 



I. Persons who are training to become technical teachers. 



These will be students entering the C liege by means of exhi- 

 bitions under category 2 {b) ; or students selected at the May 

 examinations in technology who pass with special distinction in 



■ The scheme for the organisation of the Central Intilution of the City 

 and Guilds of London Institute, recommended to the Council for adopti n 

 at 3. meeting of the Executive Committee held January 21. 1 liil,;- is now 

 being circulated. We regard the matter as so important, and the scheme so 

 perfect in its way, that we give it in full. 



the Honours Grade ; or teachers of the Institute, registered 

 under the scheme of technological examinations, who, during 

 certain months of the year, when they are disengaged, will re- 

 ceive gratuitous instruction, and will have the opportunity of 

 using the laboratories, collections of machinery, instruments, and 

 apparatus with which the College will be provided. 



2. Persons not under sixteen years of age who, having passed 

 a matriculation or entrance examination, are prepared to take a 

 complete course of instruction with a view to some professional 

 or industrial occupation. These students will probably belong 

 to two classes — 



(a) Persons who pay full fee;, and will receive in this Institu- 

 tion an education similar, in many respects, to that which they 

 may acquire in one of the technical high scliools of the Continent. 



(b) Persons who are received into the Institution from the 

 Finsbury Technical College, or other similar colleges in the 

 provinces, by means of exhibitions, w Inch will cover the whole 

 or part of their educational and other expenses. 



It is probable that many of the persons in sub class \b) will be 

 select pupils from the public elementary and national schools, 

 who, having received a preliminary science training, and dis- 

 tinguished themselves at the Fiiisbury Technical College or 

 elsewhere, will proceed to the Central Institution in the hope of 

 qualifying themselves for some of the higher posts in engineering 

 or manufacturing industry. 



3. Persons who, having been already engaged in industrial 

 pursuits, desire to attend special courses, with the view of ac- 

 (juainting themselves mere fully with the scientific principles 

 underlying then' work. 



Conditions of Entranxe 



The matriculation or entrance examination for students intend- 

 ing to take the ordinary science curriculum, with the view of 

 subsequently obtaining a diploma, will include mathematics, 

 pure and applied ; chemistry ; physics ; drawing, and modern 

 languages. Whilst considerable freedom will be allowed to 

 students entering the College as regards the courses of instruc- 

 tion which they desire to follow, a definite scheme of instruction 

 will be drawn up for each of the different branches of industry, 

 and students intending to spend two or three years in the College 

 and to devote their whole day to -study w ill be recommended to 

 follow the scheme laid down. The fee for the cour.-es to be 

 pursued by a matriculated student will lie about 30/. per annum, 

 and a fee of about 20/. per annum will be charged to students 

 wishing to take special courses and to occupy themselves for the 

 greater part of the day with laboratory practice and research 

 work. With the view of encouraging research work, the 

 Institution will be provided with separate laboratories in which 

 the students will have the opportunity of working without dis- 

 traction or disturlmnce. The permission to use these laboratories 

 will be reserved for the advanced students who have previously 

 parsed through the ordinary courses of the College, and for 

 non-matriculated students under very special circumstances. 

 Subjects of Instruction 



As the object of this Institution is to train technical teachers, 

 proprietors and managers of chemical manufactories and of 

 other industrial works, as well as mechanical, civil and electrical 

 engineers, architects, builders, and persons ei gaged in art 

 industries, the Institution will comprise five chief divisions, 

 viz. : — (i) Chemical Technology ; (2) Engineering, mechanical, 

 civil, and electrical ; (3) General Manufactures ; (4) Architecture 

 and Building Construction ; (5) Ajiplied Art ; and the subjects 

 of instruction inay accordingly be grouped under the general 

 headings of Chemistry, Engineering, Mechanics and Mathematics, 

 Physics, Manufacturing Technology and Art. Inasmuch as the 

 Royal School of Mines is already established as a training school 

 for mining engineers, no provision will be made for the instruc- 

 tion of students in this branch of industry ; and consequently the 

 sciences of geology, mineralogy, and metalUtrgy will not neces- 

 sarily be included in the subjects of instruction at the Central 

 Institution. 



Professorial Staff 



Chemistry. — The main object of the instruction in this depart- 

 ment will be to afford to students facilities for acquiring a 

 knowledge of the highest branches of Chemistry, and of its 

 application to such industries as alkali manufacture, the manu- 

 facture of artificial colouring matters, brewing, soap boiling, the 

 manufacture of oils and varnishes, dyeing, &c. To provide the 

 requisite instiuction in this department, it will be necessary to 



