260 



for the assumption that editions of the block books, of en- 

 gravings with text printed with movable type, had been 

 circulated in Holland previous to 1435; and consequently 

 whatever conclusions may be formed as to the secret art 

 practised by Gutenberg the mirror polisher, in 1438, at 

 Strasburg, they could not have the effect to decide for his 

 priority in the discovery of the art of printing. It is use- 

 less to attempt to settle the question between Strasburg, 

 Mayence and Haarlem, by summoning the contradictory 

 chroniclers as witnesses and counting the number who are 

 of each opinion, and enquiring which side has the majority. 

 Their testimony must be compared with all cotemporane- 

 ous facts relating to the subject, and especially with the 

 earliest monuments of art. 



At the close of Mr. Homes's paper, Dr. Gould gave some 

 acount of the variable star Mira. He stated that it was now 

 visible and near to its maximum brilliancy. He described 

 its periods and changes. He stated that no theories yet 

 proposed, satisfactorily explained the phenomena of varia- 

 ble stars. 



At the close of Dr. Gould's paper the Institute adjourned. 



November 30, 1858. 

 The president, Mr. Pruyn, presided. 



Prof. Murray proposed James Hendrick as a resident 

 member. Joel Rathbone, Paul F. Cooper and R. W. Swan, 

 ■ who were proposed at the last meeting, were elected. 



Dr. Hough offered a resolution that a selection be made 

 of the unbound pamphlets of the Institute for binding. The 

 subject was referred to Dr. Hough and the librarian, with 

 power. 



Mr. Paterson then read his paper on a method of Demon- 

 strating the Result of a Constant Force. He began by 

 stating that although the motion of a falling body is one of 

 the most common of natural phenomena, it was not until the 

 time of Galileo, that its true nature was investigated. From 



