Royal Geographical Society.-The first Ordinary general meeting of this Society was held on Monday, the 8th instant, when its able and enlightened President, Lord Goderich, delivered a short but peculiarly appropriate extempore address. He observed, "that the pursuits which the Society was instituted to promote, were at once useful, interesting, and ennobling. They were useful-for all classes of society would necessarily benefit by that enlarged acquaintance with the resources of our own and other countries, which the improvement and diffusion of geographical knowledge, in fact, constituted. They were interesting-for scarcely any but had friends or relations, who, as seamen, merchants, or travellers, would still more directly profit from the information thus acquired. And they were ennobling—because they roused and exercised the noblest faculties of the human mind; the love of enterprise, the promptitude which meets and overcomes its attendant difficulties, the powers of observation which make the opportunities thus afforded valuable; and though last, not least, the attachment to strict veracity in narration; without which, all other advantages are worse than useless; but for which, he was proud and happy to think and say, that English travellers were, for the most part, pre-eminently distinguished. The Society met, then, with a conscious feeling of the worthiness of its objects; but these objects had, moreover, already received, and were still receiving, the sanction of all that was most eminent for rank and talent in the country. And this, too, would add to its satisfaction:-his most gracious Majesty, King William, had taken it under his most special protection, had conferred on it the title of Royal, and had added a regal gift, or donation, of fifty guineas annually, as a royal premium for the encouragement of geographical science and discovery. And the names in the list of subscribers 'sufficiently testified the quality and extent of the approbation elsewhere bestowed on it. "As to himself," his lordship continued, "he really hardly knew to what he owed the honour of being select ed to be the first President of such an association. He had always loved geographical studies, and had been naturally led to attach much value to one branch of them he meant statistical inquiries; still, he felt unworthy of the distinction, now that it was conferred on him, and he could only promise to make up in zeal, and with the assistance of the Council,

for whatever he might want in ability and talent."

The Literary Fund.-The Literary Fund has received an announcement that his Majesty, in consequence of the many charities to which he subscribes, cannot give so large a sum as two hundred guineas a-year in aid of its means; but, aware of the great merit of the institution, a subscription to half that amount will be annually forwarded by command. We trust that the loss thus sustained will not be felt-but that the exertions of literary men and the friends of literature will be increased in proportion.

Royal Society.-Mr. Davies Gilbert bas resigned the Presidency of the Royal Society, and the Duke of Sussex, it is understood, will not offer himself as a candidate for the office; the choice will, in all probability, lie between Mr. Herschel and Mr. Warburton. The election takes place on the 30th instant. A correspondent of the Spectator," thus alludes to the subject:-"It is seldom that Royalty, in this country at least, has been connected with pure science. We know not how distant is the period when England could boast of a Prince whose solid acquirements equalled those possessed by the Duke of Sussex that illustrious and popular name, which has been mentioned in conjunction with the Presidency of the Royal Society. We want such a patron. But, on the other hand, we are not insensible to the inconveniences and restraints that would inevitably result from such a choice. Scholars are not bred in courts; and the aristocracy of science, powerful in itself, and proud in its humility, is but ill-disposed to fashion its language and deportment to those forms which belong to the aristocracy of rank. We must, therefore, probably, be content in the assurance of possessing in that illustrious Prince a powerful and disinterested advocate, in the highest quarter, for the restoration of National Science; indulging a hope, that when the paths of distinction are open to every other class of merit, that portion from which springs all that is noble and godlike in the human mind, may not-in Britain alone-go unrewarded."

There seems at length some prospect of this venerable, if not venerated, institution being roused from that "deadly night shade," to which, from various causes, it has been subject for the last half century. The greatest evil that can attach to any scientific institution is Royal patronage, if we are to form an estimate from the history of the Royal Society for the last fifty

years. Such patronage, however well intended by the munificence of sovereigns, must (at least in this money-making country,) always be perverted to improper purposes. Instead of gentlemen being selected for official situations, in which the character of the nation is at stake, merely on account of their scientific attainments, they have, in many instances, derived such profitable appointments from influence of very different kind. The consequences of such a system might have been anticipated. The Royal Society of London, as a body, has long been held in the most sovereign contempt by philosophers of eminence on the Continent; notwithstanding the list of its members contains names of the highest eminence in each department of science. The constant tendency to such exclusive or selectvestry system of parochial management, seems almost inseparable from many of the public institutions of this country. When we consider the notorious mismanagement that has prevailed in the affairs of the above institution, it ought rather to excite our surprise that the great body of the members should have so long remained dormant, thau that a few of the more independent should at length throw off the yoke, and endeavour to rescue the Society from the merited contempt into which it has fallen. It is not for us to name the parties who have contrived by their jobbing management to bring about (without intending it) the "consummation so devoutly wished," by the radical F.R.S. members. This has been already done sufficiently to show the necessity of the case both by Mr. Babbage and Sir James South; and more especially by the correspondence between Mr. Herepath and the Society. During the month of November there were, consequently, several special meetings of the Society held, to take into consideration the peculiar situation of their affairs. But, as the conferences were understood to be private, and, therefore, confidential, we refrain from stating a few facts, relative to the extent of the schism now raging among this learned body, until we learn what measures are to be pursued, and which it is expected are to be promulgated at the anniversary dinner on the 30th of November. The only rumour that we think proper to notice during the progress of this learned fermentation is, that a certain number of F.R.S. reformers of the De Potter school, have determined to throw off the royal yoke altogether, and set up a republican government of their own in some other building than Somerset House.

An

ing of this useful and interesting Society was held at the Freemasons' Tavern. Several of the new members, including the President of the Royal Academy, Lieutenant-Colonel Batty, Messrs. W. D. Roberts, Prout, and D. Griffiths of Norwood, were present; and, altogether, about seventy gentlemen attended. extensive collection of works of art was laid upon the tables. The following appeared to be the most attractive. A large volume of drawings of forest and other trees, and landscapes, by F. C. Lewis-a store-house of the richest materials for the painter-once the property of Sir Thomas Lawrence, and now in the possession of Lord Northwick; a painting of extraordinary power by Etty, one of the children of Clarkson Stanfield;-an etching by Wilmore, of Eastlake's picture, Lord Byron's Dream, which promises to form one of the most excellent and effective of modern engravings;-two or three studies from the life, by Mr. J. Wood (a member of the Society), and, in particular, a design from the Musidora of Thomson; -a collection of drawings, made during a recent tour in England, by Mr. George Sheppard, (also a member,) containing many of a highly picturesque character, and exquisitely finished;-a number of sketches by the lamented Bonington;-a miniature copy of the late President's picture of Master Lambton, by M. G. R. Ward-an artist whose excellence in this branch of the profession is quite unrivalled, and who has, we believe, copied the greater proportion of the works of Sir Thomas Lawrence, at his own especial recommendation. Mr. Henry Behnes Burlowe, the sculptor, exhibited a bust of Mr. Clint, A.R.A.; and as the original happened to be in the room, we had an opportunity of judging it to be as extraordinary a likeness as came under our notice: as a work of art it is also excellent. Mr. George Morant submitted a portfolio of drawings, which contained several from the admirable pencil of Prout, D. Roberts, Copley, Fielding, Stothard, Cox, and Thomas Boys, a young artist of rich promise. Mr. Graves (of the firm of Moon, Boys, and Graves,) the honorary Secretary, (one of the founders of the Society,) also produced a fine collection of modern prints. It is one of the primary regulations of the Society, that such members as are artists be expected to submit their own works to the inspection of the meeting. We regret that the rule is not sufficiently attended to. The only individuals who claim our thanks upon this head are, Mr. Behnes Burlowe, Mr. G. R. Ward, Mr. J. Wood, and Mr. Sheppard. In our future notices 3 x

ever

of the Conversazione, we shall conceive it our duty to point out for especial attention such gentlemen as afford proofs of their industry, talent, and liberality, by exhibiting the efforts of their pencils to their brother artists, and to the amateurs who desire to derive instruction and enjoyment from their society.

Thames Tunnel Company.-The halfyearly special assembly of the proprietors of shares in the Thames Tunnel, has been held at the City of London Tavern, T. H. Wollaston, Esq. in the chair. The report of the directors for the last half-year stated, that a declaration having been made, at the last meeting of the company, that Mr. Brunel's plan was the best calculated to complete the important work of the tunnel, it had been resolved, "That the remainder of the tunnel be completed on such plan, when the necessary funds be obtained for that purpose." The report went on to state, that "the interest which this bold, useful, and unprecedented undertaking has universally excited, is a farther encouragement to hope for aid from the wisdom of the Legislature, and the directors will seize the first favourable opportunity which shall present itself of applying for such aid." The chairman said that the directors were anxious to obtain a faculty from the meeting to enable them to proceed, and to ask assistance of the Commissioners of the Treasury, or

Parliament. Mr. Martin moved that the report be adopted, and that the directors be authorised to present a petition to the Lords Commissioners of his Majesty's Treasury, or to Parliament, or both, for assistance, when they shall deem it expedient to do so. The resolution was carried. The chairman observed that the company had received 40l. and 502. a week for admissions to view the work; and last week, though the winter was setting in, 30l. were thus received. Mr. Brenel, the engineer, was happy to see unanimity once more prevail, and he trusted the undertaking would be completed. Few were aware of the magnitude of the work. The tunnel at Rotherhithe was only two feet less in width than Temple bar, and as high as the windows in that structure. Waterloo-bridge bad been settling for six years, but the work of the tunnel remained firm. He thought the directors should have applied to Parliament last session. Mr. Martin said the directors were pressed with plans, and, if they had not considered them, they would have been charged with neglecting British talent. Mr. Brunel complained that his plan of working had been trampled upon and vilified. Mr. Adams-“ If so, it has risen superior to all difficulties and opposition." Thanks having been returned to the directors, the meeting adjourned.

FRANCE.

France has changed her moderate ministry for one that is decidedly less so than that which it displaces, but is by no means sufficiently marked in its character to meet the views of a great, and at present, most influential body of the people and the press. The new ministry has been composed as follows:-M. Lafitte, President of the Council and Minister of the Finances; Marshal Maison, Minister for Foreign Affairs; Count Montalivet, Minister of the Interior; M. Dupont de l'Eure, Keeper of the Seals; Marshal Gerard, Minister of War; M. Merilhou, Minister of Public Instruction, and General Sebastiani, Minister of the Marine. In its remarks on this change, the "Journal de Paris" 66 says, we may now expect to see a decisive system, and a real government." We doubt this very much. It is an important fact, that the change in question has been brought about solely by the casting voice, as it were, of Lafayette-the only true "child and champion of republicanism."

Since this arrangement, however, the following changes have been made. Gerard has retired in consequence of weakness of the eyes, and Marshal Soult is Minister of War in his room; Sebastiani is Minister of Foreign Affairs instead of Marshal Maison; and Count D'Argout succeeds to the Ministry of Marine, lately held by Sebastiani.

In France the Church is in a predicament like that in which the Saxon kingdom stood in the days of St. Wilfred. The bishops appointed by the late government have been allowed by the Pope to swear allegiance to Philippe; but they are not bishops till they are consecrated, and there are not in France three bishops able and willing to perform that ceremony.The speech of the King of England produced in France a great sensation, and the funds fell considerably. It was strongly alluded to in the Chamber of Deputies on the 5th, and the Minister Sebastiani gave it a pacific interpretation. The policy of France, he said, was peace within and peace without. It was whis

Diamond Microscope.-Of all the various substances furnished by nature or art, the diamond seems to be that most pre-eminently calculated to form small deep lenses for single microscopes, possessing a most enormous refractive power, combined with a low dispersive one, together with a very little longitudinal aberration. Mr. A. Pritchard, 18, Picket Street, Strand, has succeeded in forming a very thin double convex lens, of equal radii, and about 125 th inch focus, from a perfect stone of the finest water. Its polish is very beautiful, and by its strong reflective power at once shows the peculiar and in vulnerable material of which it consists; while the large angle of aperture which it bears, attests the faintness of its spherical chromatic aberration. It appears from experiment, that though the refractive power of different stones varies considerably, if a diamond and a piece of plate glass are ground in tools of the same figure and radius, the magnifying power of the former will surpass that of the latter as 8 to 3, so that if the power of the glass microscope should be 24, that of the diamond will be 64! What a lift does this give in the construction of deep single microscopes.

Earl Stanhope's Calculating Machinery. "The smallest machine, which is intended for the first two rules of addition and substraction, is not larger than an octavo volume; and by means of dial plates, and small indices moveable with a steel pin, the operations are performed with undeviating accuracy. The second, and by far the most curious instrument, is about half the size of a common table writing-desk. By this, problems in multiplication and division, of almost any extent, are solved without the possibility of a mistake, by the simple revolution of a small winch. The multiplier and multiplicand in one instance, and the divisor and dividend in the other, are first properly arranged: then, by turning the winch, the product or quotient is found. What always appears singular and surprising to spectators is, that in working sums in division, &c. if the operator be inattentive to his business, and thereby attempts to turn the handle a single revolution more than he ought, he is instantly admonished of his mistake by the sudden springing up of a small ivory ball."

W. Church, of Haywood House, co. Warwick, for certain improvements in the construction of boats and other vessels, a part of which improvements are applicable to the construction of carriages. Sept. 21, 1830.

F. Molyneux, of Hampstead, co. Middlesex, and W. Bundy, of Kentish Town, in the same county, for certain improvements in machinery for spinning and twisting silk and wool, and for roving, spinning, and twisting cotton, flax, hemp, and other fibrous substances. Sept. 21, 1830.

C. Derone, of Leicester Square, co. Middlesex, for certain improvements in extracting sugar or syrups from cane-juice and other substances containing sugar; and in refining sugar and syrups. Partly communicated by a foreigner. Sept. 29, 1830. J. Harrison, of Wortley Hall, co. York, and R. G. Curtis, of the same place, for certain improvements in glazing horticultural and other buildings, and in sash-bars and rafters. Oct. 6, 1830.

M. Donovan, of the City of Dublin, for an improved method of lighting places with gas. Oct. 6,

1830.

R. Pering, of Exmouth, co. Devon, for an-improvement or improvements on anchors. Oct. 6, 1830.

J. Heaton, W. Heaton, G. Heaton, and R. Heaton, of Birmingham, co. Warwick, manufacturers and copartners for certain machinery, and the application thereof, to steam engines, for the purpose of propelling and drawing carriages on turnpike roads, and other roads and railways. Oct. 6, 1830. J. Dickinson, of Abbotts Langley, co. Hertford, for an improved method of manufacturing paper by means of machinery. October 6, 1830.

Lieut. Col. L. Walker, of Pentonville, for a machine or apparatus to effect the escape and preservation of persons and property in case of fire or other circumstances. October 6, 1830.

W. A. Archibald, of Cavendish Square, co. Middlesex, for an improvement in the preparing or making of certain sugars. October 13, 1830.

D. Napier, of Fitzroy Square, co. 'Middlesex, for certain improvements in printing and in pressing machinery, with a method of economizing the power applicable to the same, which method of economizing power is also applicable to other parposes. October 13, 1830.

F. C. Jacquemart, of Leicester Square, co. Middlesex, for improvements in tanning certain descriptions of skins. Communicated by a foreigner. October 20, 1830.

J. B. Sharp, of Hampstead, co. Middlesex, and W.Fawcett, of Liverpool, co. Palatine of Lancaster, for an improved mode of introducing air into fluids, for the purpose of evaporation. Oct. 20, 1830. A. Craig, of Ann Street, co. Mid Lothian, for certain improvements in machines or machinery, for cutting timber into veneers or other useful forms. Communicated by a foreigner. Oct. 20, 1830.

A. Ure, of Burton Crescent, co. Middlesex, for an apparatus for regulating temperature in vaporization, distillation, and other processes. Oct. 20, 1830.

A. Ure, of Burton Crescent, co. Middlesex, for an improvement or improvements in curing or cleansing raw or coarse sugar. Oct. 20, 1830. A. Ure, of Southampton Row, co. Middlesex, for an air-stove apparatus for the exhalation and condensation of vapours. October 20, 1830.