89 
of Edinburgh^ Session 1862-63. 
literature. Finally, he drew attention to the abolition of fiscal 
duties on the products of the press, — the prodigious copiousness of 
cheap popular sheets, cheap nev/spapers included, — and the capacity 
of modern machinery, moved by steam-power, for their rapid pro- 
duction. On investigation, he found that only a small proportion 
of the whole was of an immoral, or otherwise objectionable kind ; 
much of the writing in this popular department of literature being 
by authors of repute, to whom large sums were paid for their services. 
He estimated that there were not fewer than three hundred millions 
of newspapers now circulated per annum in the United Kingdom ; 
while the quantity of cheap literary sheets issued per annum 
amounted to 144,000,000. He concluded by referring to the highly 
improved tone in all departments of the press, not the least of the 
beneficial effects of modern popular literature being the extinction 
of what was worthless and pernicious. On concluding his paper, 
Mr Chambers laid on the table a quantity of copies privately printed 
for distribution among the members present. 
The following note from Principal Sir David Brewster 
was read by Professor Tait : — 
“ I send you, for the Koyal Society, six of my best specimens of 
Decomposed Grlass. In presenting them, perhaps you might men- 
tion the disappearance of all colour, by introducing a drop of water, 
and the passage of a prismatic line over each film, owing to the 
water entering more quickly between some of the elementary films 
than between others. These may be found by using a balsam that 
will quickly indurate.” 
The following announcements were made from the 
Chair : — 
1. The Council have awarded the Neill Prize for the Triennial 
period 1859-62 to Eobert Kaye G-reville, LL.D., for his contribu- 
tions to Scottish Natural History, more especially in the department 
of Cryptogamic Botany, including his recent papers on Diatomacese. 
2. The Council have resolved that a Conversazione shall take 
place in the Society’s room, on Wednesday, 25th February, at 
8 P.M. 
