80 Miscellaneous Intelligence. 
prominent chemists of Great Britain, and was acknowledged as a 
standard authority, the more especially in matters relating to the 
application of scientific knowledge to acts of legislation, particu- 
larly as regards sanitary affairs and the conduct of mines and man- 
ufacturing establishments. His researches on air, and rain, and 
at one time “the beginnings of a chemical climatology.” So too 
are his publications on disinfectants, sewage, the air of mines, 
ventilation, ate a variety of other subjects. Since 1863, he has 
done his country and humanity good service, and the cause of 
science as well, in his official capacity as Inspector-General of 
alkali works,—an office which was perhaps created for him to fill, 
and for the a filling of which it may well be said that he was 
specially crea 
revious to ie act of 1863, there had been for a generation or 
two a bitter feud between the soda manufacturers of Glas asgow 
Newcastle, and La pebahive: and those of their neighbors who, 
4 no immediate pecuniar _ benefit from the works, fe und 
man of sciemific habit of Bi accustomed to entertain con- 
should done, in the pecuniary sense, to the owners of the 
gigantic manufacturing sitahlishidieen'¥a or their work-people. The 
prudent, naan judicious, and. effective—because just and 
wise—manner in which this most intricate problem was treated 
by Smith is shove all praise. The conduct of the matter, as set 
forth in ee annual “ Reports under the Alkali Act,” may well be 
studied American statesmen as affording a moat striking and 
pense tee contrast to some of our own so-called‘ sanitary acts of 
_ legislation and administration, notably those which have e recently 
become notorious as disgracing all sense of justice and intelli- 
gence in one of our leading State 
Many American chemists and mphyaidists must still remember 
the feeling of sympathy and good will with which they received 
some years since, the goodly volume entitled “ Chemical and 
Physical Researches of Thomas raham,” which was prepared, | 
and printed, and distributed by Angus Smith and James Young, 
as a tribute to the memory of their old friend cated master. It 
was, indeed, Me every sense a most worth nume 
Dr. Smith was born in 1817 near Glasgow. He died May 11th, 
bots hb Bay near Llandudno, after an illness of several months’ 
F. H, 8. 
