53 
of some Alloys of Nickel and Iron, similar in composition to Meteoric 
Iron,” by W. Fairbairn, Esq., President of the Society. 
March 2Zrd, 1858. — “On the Absurdity of Ontology, and the 
Vanity of Metaphysical Demonstration,” illustrated by reference to 
Professor Perrier’s Institutes of Metaphysic, by the Rev. T. P. 
Kirkman, M.A., F.R.S. 
April &th, 1858. — “On the Hardness of Metals and Alloys, and 
on the Specific Gravity of Alloys,” by F. C. Calvert, F.C.S., &c., 
and Mr. Richard Johnson. 
“On the Meteorology of Manchester, 1857,” by G. V. Vernon, 
F.R.A.S., communicated by the President of the Society. 
“Remarks on the Comparative Temperature of the Climates of 
England and some parts of Italy,” by W. Fairbairn, Esq., President 
of the Society. 
A large proportion of these papers have already been 
ordered to be printed. The duty of editing them has been 
assigned to the Secretaries and Librarian, and there is little 
doubt that the publication of the next portion of the Society’s 
Memoirs will take place soon after the conclusion of the 
present session. 
It will be in the recollection of the members that the 
physical and chemical apparatus of the late Dr. Dalton was, 
at his death, presented to the Society by Dr. Charles Henry, 
to whom they had been bequeathed by their possessor. 
From that time down to the end of last year, this apparatus 
remained enclosed in unsightly boxes, in a back room of the 
Society’s premises. Here it was almost inaccessible, so that 
very few persons had any idea of what it consisted, and in 
course of time it unavoidably became covered with dust, and 
partly corroded. The want of funds had always been the 
obstacle in the way of having the articles, of which it con- 
sisted, properly arranged and exhibited. The Committee, 
however, appointed under the auspices of the Society for 
the purpose of erecting a public monument to Watt, finding, 
