152 



NA TURE 



[June t8, 1896 



or electricity, of which his theorems, experimental 

 discoveries and views, do not form a great and funda- 

 mental part, and in the domain of physical optics he has 

 recently shed much lij^ht on some of the most recondite 

 and disputed questions by his lectures and papers on the 

 subject of the dynamics of systems, of molecules, and the 

 constitution of the ether. To discuss his career in detail 

 would take us too far at present, and we must refer our 

 readers to the article in our "Scientific Worthies" series, 

 which appeared in vol. xiv., p. 385, 1S76, and defer an 

 account of his later scientific work to another opportunity. 

 The accompanying engraving of the University of 

 Glasgow shows the scene of the Jubilee Celebration. 

 The part between the main entrance and the western 

 gateway on the left is the physical laboratory, and the 

 gable of Lord Kelvin's house is shown on the extreme 

 left. A great suite of rooms, all on one level, consisting 

 of the University Library, the Hunterian Museum, the 



important share which Lord Kelvin's discoveries, his 

 personal ser\ ices, and inventions have had in the de- 

 velopment of ocean telegraphy. Instruments in these 

 exhibits were during the conversazione in communication 

 with all parts of the world, and were employed in receiv- 

 ing addresses of congratulation. A warm letter of con- 

 gratulation was sent by the Prince of Wales, and addresses 

 were presented by representatives of the principal uni- 

 versities, learned societies, and other institutions through- 

 out the world. All the universities and almost every 

 college in the United Kingdom and Ireland sent delegates 

 and addresses. The addresses were publicly presented 

 to Lord Kelvin, and Lord Kelvin himself and several of 

 the most distinguished foreign delegates received honorary 

 degrees at a congregation of the University specially 

 held in the Bute Hall on Tuesday for these purposes. 



A grand banquet, to which the delegates and other 

 distinguished guests were invited by the Corporation of 



' Buildings of the University of Glasgow. Gable of Lord Kelvin's House on extreme left. Natural Philosophi 

 Gateway. Physical Laboratory to right of Western Gateway. 



Bute and Randolph Halls, and the .Senate Room Lobbies 

 and Examination Hall, give perfectly unique soirde ac- 

 commodation, in which about 2000 guests assembled on 

 Monday evening. In the Library has been arranged an 

 interesting exhibit of Lord Kelvin's inventions and instru- 

 ments, with the diplomas and certificates of membership 

 which he has received from learned societies at home 

 and abroad. There are no less than eighty or ninety of 

 these diplomas displayed, among them some of the most 

 illustrious distinctions, such as that of F"oreign Associate 

 of the Institute of France, to which it is possible for any 

 scientific man to attain, a striking testimony of the 

 universal appreciation which Lord Kelvin's work has 

 received wherever science is cultivated or learning 

 flourishes. The Anglo-.-Xmerican Cable Co., the Eastern 

 Telegraph Co., and the Brazilian Submarine Cable Co. 

 sent addresses of congratulation, and exhibited instru- 

 ments and objects of interest as illustrating the all- 



NO. 1390, VOL. 54] 



Glasgow, was held on Tuesday evening in the St. Andrews 

 Hall, and at the opening of the banquet the Lord 

 Provost read a gracious message of congratulation 

 received from the Queen. The celebration closed by a 

 special excursion on the Firth of Clyde, up Loch Long 

 and round the Island of Bute, given by the University 

 authorities. 



This brief summary of the events of the celebration 

 we hope to replace next week by a fuller account of what 

 has been undoubtedly one of the most unanimous and 

 enthusiastic tributes of admiration which it has ever 

 fallen to the lot of a scientific worker to receive. That 

 such admiration for the achievements and the personal 

 qualities of even the most illustrious man of science has 

 been forthcoming in no unstinted measure, is a happy 

 augury that peace may still have its triumphs, and good 

 work done receive its due meed of reward. 



A. Gray. 



