464 REPORT—1883. 
research ; hence I need make no apology to others who have lately done excellent 
work in chemistry if I single out the Bakerian Lecture of this year, by Mr. 
Crookes, on ‘ Radiant Matter Spectroscopy.’ It relates to the prismatic analysis, 
not of the light transmitted or absorbed in the ordinary way by a solid or liquid, 
nor of that given out by incandescent gas, but the analysis of the fluorescence that 
manifests itself in certain bodies when they are exposed to an electric discharge in 
a highly exhausted vacuum. He describes, in an interesting and even amusing 
manner, his three years’ quest after the origin of a certain citron band, which he 
observed in the spectrum of the fluorescence of many substances, till he was led 
into that wonderful labyrinth of uncertain elements which are found together in 
samarskite, and eventually he proved the appearance to be due to yttrium. As the 
test is an extremely delicate one, he has obtained evidence of the very general dis- 
semination of that element, in very minute quantities—and not always very minute, 
for the polypes that built up a certain pink coral were evidently able to separate 
the earth from the sea water, as their calcareous secretion contained about } per 
cent. of yttrium, We have reason to hope that this is only the first instalment of 
discoveries to be made by this new method of research. 
I cannot conclude without a reference to the brightening prospects of technical 
chemistry in this country. I do not allude to the progress of any particular indus- 
try, but to the increased facilities for the education of those engaged in the chemical 
manufactures. First as to the workpeople. Hitherto the young artisan has had 
little opportunity of learning at school what would be of the greatest service to 
him in his after career. The traditions of the Middle Ages were all in favour of 
~ jiterary culture for the upper classes, and the education suited for these has been 
retained in our schools for the sons of the people. It is true that some knowledge 
of common things has been given in the best schools, and the Education Depart- 
ment has lately encouraged the teaching of certain sciences in the upper standards, 
In the Mundella Code, however, which came into operation last year, ‘elementary 
science’ may receive a grant in all the classes of a boys’ or girls’ school, and in 
the suggested scheme there is mentioned simple lessons on ‘the chemical and 
physical principles involved in one of the chief industries of England, among 
which Agriculture may be reckoned,’ while ‘Chemistry’ is inserted among ‘the 
specific subjects of instruction’ that may be given to the older children. It is im- 
possible, as yet, to form an estimate of the extent to which managers and teachers 
have availed themselves of this permission, for the examinations of her Majesty’s 
inspectors under the new code have only just commenced; but one of the best of 
the Board schools in London has just passed satisfactorily in chemistry both with 
boys and girls. I trust that in those parts of the country where chemical industries 
prevail chemistry may be largely taken up in our elementary schools. 
The great deficiency in our present educational arrangements is the want of the 
means of teaching a lad who has just left the common school the principles of that 
industry by which he is to earn his livelihood, The more purely scientific 
chemistry, however, may be learnt by him now in those evening classes which may 
be formed under the Education Department, as well as in those that have long 
been established under the Science and Art Department. The large amount of 
attention that is now being given to the subject of technical education is creating 
in our manufacturing centres many technical classes and colleges for students of 
older growth. 
As to inventors, and the owners of our chemical factories, in addition to the 
Chemical Society and the Chemical Institute, there has recently been founded the 
Society of Chemical Industry. It came into existence with much promise of 
success; at the close of its second year it numbered 1,400 members; it has 
now powerful sections in London, Manchester, Liverpool, Newcastle, and Bir- 
mingham ; and it diffuses information on technical subjects in a well-conducted 
monthly journal. 
May the abstract science and its useful applications ever prove helpful to one 
another, and become more and more one chemistry for the benefit of mankind, 
“ 
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