54 KE VIEWS — TECHNOLOGY. 



George Wilson, Director of the Industrial Museum of Scotland, has 

 been appointed. 



The establishment of this chair has excited considerable interest 

 on account of its being new, not only to the University of Edinburgh, 

 but also to all the British Colleges, although it always has its place 

 in the Continental seats of learning. Moreover, the real meaning of 

 the term, and the extent and range of subject embraced by the pro- 

 fessorship, were so little understood, as to give rise in the minds of 

 some to apprehensions of interference with already existing chairs. 

 Professor A\ r ilson, in his inaugural and introductory lecture, has 

 defined very clearly the meaning of the term and the extent of the 

 science, and has shown at the same time that his teaching need not 

 in the slightest degree interfere with that of his brother professors. 



Technology, the Science of the Arts, or, as generally restricted, the 

 Science of the Useful Arts, has never heretofore been admitted as a 

 separate branch of study in any of our Universities, although from 

 the practical nature of the subjects treated of, it must be allowed to 

 be one of the greatest importance. Great advantages must undoubt- 

 edly be derived from young men, when about to enter on the world, 

 having an opportunity of attending lectures in which the various 

 manufactures are minutely described, the numerous improvements 

 which are constantly taking place elucidated, and the scientific prin- 

 ciples on which the varied processes depend, fully explained. 



In the instance now referred to, and under the present talented 

 incumbent, we may expect that the usefulness of the chair will be 

 very great, and widely acknowledged, especially from its connection 

 with that exceedingly valuable institution, the jSTational and Indus- 

 trial Museum of Scotland. 



" The Industi'ial Arts included in the domain of Technology admit 

 of a simple division into mechanical and chemical arts, according as 

 they are mainly related to Physics or to Chemistry." It is to the latter 

 division that Professor "Wilson's attention will be principally directed, 

 although several of the subjects of which he proposes to treat, belong 

 more strictly to the former ; for instance, the process of carding, 

 spinning and weaving ; the use of electricity in the electric telegraph ; 

 the employment of the same agent in electroty ping, and the action of 

 light in photography. The two latter subjects stand midway, as it 

 were, between the physical and the chemical divisions. Among the 

 subjects which are properly treated of in a course of lectures on 

 Technology, the following may be mentioned : The economy of heat 

 and light, the different means of ventilation, the nature and proper- 



