291 



A paper was then read by Dr. Howard Townsend, on the 

 Waters of the Dead Sea. 



Dr. Townsend exhibited samples of the water and de- 

 scribed its constituents and properties. He also discussed 

 at length the topography of the region and the probable 

 origin of the peculiar characteristics of the locality. The 

 paper was of great interest and value. 



March 26, 1861. 

 The Institute met, and in the absence of the president, 

 Prof. Hall was called upon to preside. 



No other business being before the meeting, Dr. Vander- 

 poel proceeded to read a paper, being a condensed transla- 

 tion of an account of the Duchess of Albany. He gave a 

 preliminary sketch of the political characters of the epoch ; 

 of the son of the deposed James II., who was the hus- 

 band of the Duchess of Albany; of the gallant and ro- 

 mantic attempt he made to regain the throne of Eng- 

 land j of his political position, which led to his marriage, 

 through the intervention of the French court, and of his 

 subsequent residence and character ; of the connection of 

 the poet, Alfieri, with the duchess, and of the final elope- 

 ment of the pair. 



At the conclusion of Dr. YanderpoePs paper, Dr. Towns- 

 end exhibited to the Institute a beaautiful copy of a monk- 

 ish manuscript. It seemed to be a theological work of 

 some importance, from the notes and observations written 

 in another hand upon the margin. It was in monkish Latin, 

 and rendered particularly unintelligible by the numberless 

 contractions. 



Dr. Townsend also exhibited an early specimen of print- 

 ing, being the Liber Propetarum. It was remarkable for 

 the clearness and perfection of the type, in this respect 

 being scarcely inferior to the best specimens of the present 

 day. 



After this, without further business, the Institnte ad- 

 journed. 



