322 
Miscellaneous Notices. 
terranean trade. It cannot fail to have a beneficial effect, both upon French 
commerce, and English manufactures, for the engines must be made in England 
to insure good workmanship. 
We have just heard from another channel, that a steamboat, upon a similar con- 
struction to that built for the river Garoune, was tried a few days since, on a voyage 
down the Thames, and through the Thames and Medway canal, to Rochester and 
Maidstone. The voyage is stated as having not taken more than six hours each 
way, from London to Maidstone, and back, notwithstanding the shoals in the 
river Medway, above Rochester. 
We have always been of opinion, that no more danger could arise from the use 
of high-pressure engines than low-pressure engines, if proper means were taken 
to prevent all possibility of explosion. And between the use of steam pipes in 
lieu of boilers, and having apertures of sufficient size for escape-valves, we cannot 
see any chance of risk, from the use of high-pressure any more than low-pressure 
steam ; while in point of economy and lightness, the advantages are decidedly in 
favour of high-pressure engines, for steam navigation — Times Newspaper. 
2. — Royal , and other Societies. 
In the work, of which we gave some account in our last number but one, and 
which appears to have excited so much attention in England, there is much 
which, but for our narrow limits, we could have enlarged upon. In the Chapter 
on the* Royal Society, the Author points out the necessity of the members exercising 
some independence of opinion, and of their speaking out a little more than 
they do. We have a pretty good idea of the sort of thing which Mr. Babbage 
describes in this section ; and we do not hesitate to say, that a more serious bar to 
the prosperous and honorable career of any scientific body cannot be found, than 
this whispering in corners ; this deference to names, on points on which every mem- 
ber should consult his own honest and unbiassed judgment. A feeling is generally 
prevalent, that to call in question the proceedings of any functionary in such a 
society, is to be guilty of a want of delicacy towards the individual, and, in tact > t0 
make a personal attack on him. This mischievous opinion is well exposed by Mr. 
Babbage ; as is also the indifference generally manifested towards the state of the funds 
bv the members ; every thing being left to the management of one or two, who con- 
trive never to give the Society at large any acccount of the expenditure. In tins 
way the Horticultural Society at home got involved in debt to the extent of £ l yuuu , 
and but for the appearance of a determined reformer amongst them, it is very 
likely that they would have gone on in their mad career to the present moment. 
There is little doubt that Mr. Babbage’s book will occasion much improvement on 
all these points, in the different societies at home; and especially, that it will produce 
a very great, if not a radical, reform in the Royal Society itself. His statements are 
so important, being published too now in the face of all Europe, that it is quite im- 
possible to avoid taking up the subject. And if taken up, equally so to avoid apply- 
ing some remedy to such evils. And though we must, in justice to our Indian i So- 
cieties, concede that we have nothing which can be compared to the miser, 
system here detailed, as that by which the Royal Society proceeds yet do ™ also 
stand in need of some reform s-reforms which have been called for and which 
must come. And in the conviction that the knowledge of the evil is the first step 
towards a cure, we recommend to every member of our Indian Societies to re 
this book, and at each description of any objectionable course, to ask hnmelf ^ho ? 
do we manage these things ; may we not take a bint from this, and do bet . 
Above all, we would recommend, did we think our voice likely to have any wei D , 
that every member should take an interest in the proceedings of the Society 
belongs to ; that he attend its meetings when he conveniently can ; and tba 
voting, lie exercise bis own judgment, scrutinize the statemen s niace ,. .*• 
meeting, from whatever quarter coming — and that he particularly oppose 
to the slovenly practice, but too common amongst us, of getting rid of a suoj. 
Brought regularly before the meeting, by private and desultory conversation. 
We think the few points in which some of our Societies requue o 
generated, might easily be carried, did the members take a little more inte 
in the proceedings and prosperity of the body to which they belo B - . 
in .reality, this is the root of the evil both here and at home, i. e. the negl 
their duty by the members ; for otherwise, it would be impossible for one n > 
set of men, to obtain the influence we see, were he not left the whole field 
self, by the indifference of some, and the timidity of others. 
