282 



THE OBSERVATORY. 



[1853 



rarely seen equallcJ, and as to tlic case and comfort of the -n-liole 

 of their internal arrangements, it would be gilding refined gold 

 to liave them sur^iasscd. 



As a portion of the line is still unballasted, the extraordinary 

 rapidity with which the train moved down some of the inclines, 

 naturally gave to it a disagreeable oscillatory movement, \\hich wiU 

 ofcourse be materially diminished when the ballasting is completed. 

 We do not suppose, however, that it is in contemplation at pre- 

 sent to run regular passenger trains, at the speed we have already 

 alluded to. After some months traffic the irregular oscillations 

 ■will probably cease by the increased stability of the track. 



To the enterprise and energy of Mr. Good of Toronto, 

 the public are indebted for the construction of the pow- 

 eifid locomotive, which bring's the lakes within an hour's ride of 

 one another ; and to Messrs. McLean and Wright, for the luxu- 

 rious passenger care, which exhibit a neat taste in design, and 

 appropriate skill in workmanship. The gentlemen who partici- 

 l^ated in the rare pleasure of the trip, are indebted to the polite- 

 ness of Mr. Cumberland, the Chief Engineer, and to Mr. Brunei, 

 the Superintendent of the fine, who added to the obligations of 

 their guests, by providing most abundant and deUcious refresh- 

 ments, appropriately arranged in a second class carriage. We 

 have been favoured with the dimensions of the curves, and data 

 connected with the grading of the line as far as Bradford. The 

 remarks which we have prepared on these and other associated 

 subjects, want of space compels us to withhold, until the August 

 number of the Journal. 



Montreal Natural History Society. 



The twenty-fifth annual repoil of the Natural History Society 

 of Montreal is a very encouraging document. It indicates the 

 revival among its present members of that vigorous spirit which 

 inspired its fii-st promoters, when they founded and sustained for 

 a season, " the 2)ioneer in this country of the development of its 

 Natural History." 



We notice with much pleasure the compliment paid by the 

 Council to their indefatigable President, Major Lachlan. Every 

 member of the Canadian Institute, recalling the incidents of the 

 late Annual Convei-sazione, will readily acknowledge the influ- 

 ence which even one active and zealous individual may exercise 

 upon the usefulness and prosperity of a Scientific Society ; par- 

 ticularly in a country whose rich domains of Natural History and 

 Science have hitherto found few discoverers willing to communi- 

 cate to the public the results of their enquiries. We transcribe 

 with cordial feehng, the following allusion, by the Montreal 

 Natural History Society, to the valuable services of their Presi- 

 dent. • 



" In rcfening to the transactions of the pastycai-, your Council expe- 

 rience some difficulty in selecting those of the most interest ; but thoy 

 would be wanting in duo regard to thr •j.'iut.iI I'c rliiigs of the Society, 

 were they to refrain from asUing espcc'iul .iltcnliun In the very valuable 

 services of our President, Major H. L:u hbn, w hu succeeded to the 

 chair in October la.st, consequent ou tlie romoval from the city of its 

 lormcr occupant, Dr. Sewell. Your President lias been indefatigable 

 in Ilia endeavors to resuscitate the Society ; his personal labors in con- 

 nection therewith have been uareniilling, and the value thereof is lully 



substantiated by, among other advantages, the greatly increased sub- 

 scription list, the success of the first soiree, held on the evening of the 

 12th Api-il last, and the prospect of a volume of Transactions Ijcing 

 published ere long. The Council arc quite convinced that the Society 

 will fully recognize and acknowledge the merits of its Chiei, who lias 

 contributed so much in rcinvigorating the character of its proceedings, 

 aud giving an impetus thci-eto, which, it is sincerely hoped, no unto- 

 ward circumstances may arise to arrester retard." 



The Museum of the Society has received many important ac • 

 cessions; especial reference is made by the Council to the liberal- 

 ity of one of its members. 



" The Council, however, trust it will not be considered invidious io 

 making special reference to the extensive donations of Dr. Gibb, one 

 of our members, consisting as they do of above 300 specimens iu vari- 

 ous departments of Natural History and comparative Anatomy, and an 

 equally large collection of miscellaiieous aud rare articles, fi'om all 

 quaj-ters of the Globe." 



An extensive and well arranged museum is an admirable ac- 

 quisition, and furnishes in itself a most prohfic field for private 

 study, and very desirable opportunities for illustrating public lec- 

 tures. We rejoice in the renovated energies of the Montreal 

 Natural History Society, and cordially wish that they may be 

 sustained in healthy and vigorous action. 



The Observatory, 



In our last issue we informed our readers that the Magnetic 

 Observatory at Toronto, established by the Imperial Government 

 and supported by them for a period of twelve years, had been 

 taken in charge by the Provincial authorities, with the intention 

 of being retained as a permanent establishment: we arc now 

 able to give more detailed information on the subject. 



Some time in February last, Captain Lefroy received orders 

 from the home-government to pack up the instruments, dismantle 

 the observatory ahd return home with the military detachment 

 which had been, under his superintendence, employed in the ob- 

 servations, With his usual zeal and energy, h'i lost no time in 

 bringing the matter to the notice of his ExcjUency the Governor 

 General, urging the importance and interest of the scientific 

 results that might be expected from retaining an observatory 

 complete in all points and which had already earned a reputation 

 second to none throughout the world. In these representations 

 he was powerfidly backed by the petitions of our own aud kin- 

 dred societies in both sections of the Province. With most praise- 

 worthy promptitude and hbcrality, the Provincial authorities at 

 once communicated with the Imperial Government oftering to 

 purchase the equipment of the observatory in full, and in the 

 same spirit they were responded to, and the negociation com- 

 pleted without delay. The munificent sum of £2000 voted for 

 this purpose in the last session of Parliament gives a striking and 

 most pleasing proof of the esteem in which Science is held in this 

 country. 



In the meanwliile Captain Lefroy had returned to England, 

 leaving, however, the Military Detachment behind, and formally 

 placing the Observatory, according to his instructions, under the 

 charge of Mr. Cherriman. The Magnetical Observations had 

 been in part interrupted by the introduction of Iron during tbo 



