PROCEEDINGS OF TEE INSTITUTE OF CHEMISTRY OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND. PABT I. 1887’. REPORT of the ANNUAT, GENEKAJ, MEETING, BALANCE SHEET FOR 1887, AND ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT, PROFESSOR ODLING, M,B,, F.R.S., &c,MeA.3 ,&rnban : TAYLORPRINTED RY A. P. BLUNDELL, & CO., 26, GARLICKHILL,CANNON ST.. E.C. 1887. ANNUAL GENERAL MEETING. THEFirst Annual (kneral Meeting of the Institute of Chemistry of Great Britaiu aod Ireland, as incorporated by Royal Charter, was held at Burlington House on Monday, the 14th of March, 1887. The Balance Sheet (see p. 4), having been laid before the Meeting by the Treasurer, the President delivered his Address. The Omrcs~sand COUNCILfor the ensuing year were then elected (see p.5). The CENSORSelected were Sir Frederick Abel, Dr. James Bell, Dr. E. Frankland, and Dr. W. J. Russell. Dr. Percy F. Frankland, MY. C. €3. Cassal, and Mr. H. J. Helm were appointed AUDITORS. INSTITUTE OF CHEMISTRY OF GREAT BRITAIN AND IRELAND. INCOHPOBATED BY ROYALCHARl'Ett. -L___= 2 s. d. s s. d. .s 8. d.Balance in hand 1st January, 1886.. 1105 $3 4 Printing, Stationery and Postage .. .. .. 88 13 7 EntranceFees .. ,. .. 7 7 0 Advertiwments .. .. .. .. .. 13 3 7 Life Compositions .. .. . . 37 16 0 Rent, Office, and Miscellaneous Expenses .. 99 11 6 45 3 0 Examiner's Fees and Examination Expcnscs .. 42 10 7 381 Fellovs' Subscriptions . . .. 445 4 0 Salaries and Wages .. .. .. .. .. 165 0 0 31 Associates' ,, .. .. 32 11 0 Parliamentary Agents .... .. .. 3 3 0 477 15 0 Messrs. Markbg Stewart & Co., on ajc of Charter 50 0 0 Interest on Consols ., .. .. 101 10 0 Balance in London and Westminster Bank,ExaminationFees .. .. .. 21 0 0 31st December, 1886 :-On Deposit $1,000 0 0 Current A/c 288 15 1 --1,2E8 15 1 $1,760 17 4 21,750 17 4 35srts. Xiabilifias. December 31st, 1886, Cash at Bank . . .. 21,288 15 1 December 31st, 1886. .. .. .. .. Nouc. U, ,, $3,500 30/, Consols. Audited and found correct, PERCY F. FRANKLAND. m?.26ti1, 1887. A. J. GREENAWAY. H. H. B. SHEPHERD. LIST OF OFFICERS S: COUNCIL FOR 1887. PRESIDENT. W. ODLING, M.A., M.B., F.R.S., &c. VICE-PRESIDENTSI SIR FREDERICK ABEL, C.B., F.R.S., &c. H. E. ARMSTRONG, Ph.D., F.R.S., &c.SIR CHARLES A CAMERON, M.D., &c. A. DUPRE, Ph.D., F.R.S., &c. J. FERGUSOK, M.A., F.C.R. E. FRANKLAND, Ph.D., D.C.L., F.R.S., &c. TREASURER. DAVID HOWARD, F.C.S. ORDINARY MEMBERS OF COUNCIL. A. H. ALLEN, F.C.S. GEORGE H. MAEINS, F.C.S. .JOHN ATTFIELD, Ph.D., F.R.S., tCc B. E. R. NEWLANDS, F.C.S. JAMES BELL, Ph.D.,D.Sc.,F.R.S., tBc C. O’HCLLIVAN, F.R.S., &c. A. J. BERNBYS, Ph.D., F.C.S. F. J. M. PAGE, E.Sc., F.C.S. 31. CARTEIGHE, F.C.S. E. RILEY, F.C.S. W. Y.DENT, F.C.S. T. STE?%XSON, N.D., F.C.S. T. FAIRLET, I?.Ii.S.E., F.C.S. A. NOHMAN TATE, F.C.S. U. GRAHAM, D.Sc., F.C.S. ?V. THORISON, F.C.S. W. HARKNESS, F.C.S. IT.THORP, B.Sc., F.C.S. D. B. HETVITT, M.D. W. A. TILDEN, D.Sc., F.R.S., &c.A. K. HUNTINGTON, F.C.8, &c T. TYRER, F.C.S. F. R. JAPP, M.A., Ph.D., F E.S., ~E.c ITr. WALLACE, Ph.D., F.R.S.E., 6c. E. KINCH, F.C.S. R. WAHINGTON, F.R.S., &c. H. McLE OD, F.R. S., &c. SECRETARY C. E. GROVES,F.R.S., &c. 7 ADDRESS OF THE PRESIDENT DR. ODLTNG, M.A., M.B., F.R.S., &c. Delivered March 14th, 188 7. BY the provisionsof the Royal Charter under which the Insti- tute of Chemistry was incorporated on the last day of June, 1885, it was required among other things that the Institiite should with :ill reasonable expedition, by resolution of a General Meeting, make hye-laws for regulating the conduct of the affairs and property of the corporation ; that the bye-laws so made by the Tnstitute should not have effect until the? had been snhmitted to and allored by the Lords of Her Majesty’s Privy Council ; and that uiitil the bye-laws had been so allowed, the affairs of the corporation should be coiiducted by the first appointed Council of the Institute in accordance with the Articles of Association of the original Tnstitute founded in October, 1877, so far as they were not inconsistent with any express provision of the Charter.As regards the provision of the Charter declaring that the bp1aw.s of the Institute should not haTe effect until theyhad been allowed by the Lords of the Privy Council, I have the 8 satisfaction of being able to inform you that these bye-laws, as inade by resolution of a General Meeting held on February 4th, 1887, confirmed at a subsequent General Meeting held on February 15th, 1887, received, so lately as February 2ith of tlie present year, the formal allowance of the Privy Council ; so that for tlie last fortnight, the conduct of the affairs of the Iustitute has had to be, and henceforward will have to be, in accordance with the bye-laws of the Institute, now inade and allowed as required by the Charter. The bje-laws of the Institute, thus given effect to, are in the rnnin identical with those first made at a Genera.1 Meeting of tlie Institute held so far back as March 26th 1886 ; and are based, as nearly as might be, 0x1 the Articles of Sssociation of the original Institute.Bt different intervals since March 2Gth, three separate sets of suggestions and requirements haye been put forward by the Privy Council ; and hugh the saccessiFe consideration of these has had the disadvantageous effect of taking up a good deal of time, it must fi.anl;ly 1)c ndrnitted that the careful criticism to which the bye-law, as first made, have been subjected by the Privy Council, has resulted in their greater consistency and better fitness for their intended use. The final insistance by the Privy Council on one or tn-o slight yerbal alterations has caused indeed some little extra delay ; hit 011 most points their representations and requirements could not but be recognised at once as advan-tageous and called for ; while on other points our counter-representatioiis were eventually acceded to by them in a spirit of considerati on :nd reasonableness demanding our thankful and hearty aclrrio\~Jedgemeiit.The bye-laws first subniittted to the Privy Council, narnelj, those made on B4arch 26th of last year, dealt with a proportion of' the originally appointed Officers and Couiicil of the Institute as ineligible for re-appointment by election of the Fellows, at the first General 1CIeeting to be held urider the bye-laws. It was pointed out, however, that this proposed ineligibility was con- trary to the provisions of the Charter, which expressly declared the eligibility of the whole of the originally appointed Officers and Council for re-appointment by election. Thus it is that the 9 Officers and Members of Council now holding office, together with three other Fellows of the Institute who have been most Largely approved as suit:ible to fill the vacancies which have occurred, present themselves for election at this, the first elec- tion held under the Charter and bye-laws.At every suhsequent drnnual General Meeting aiid election, however, one-third of the Vice-Presidents and Members of Council will, as heretofore under the Articles of Association, be ineligible for re-appointment. It being required by the bye-laws that the holding of the election and Annual General Meeting should be on the 1st of March, or on some day betm-een the 1st and the 15th of March, the meeting has, on this occasioii, been put off until the latest included date. For tlie announcement, of the meetiug having to be made before the bye-laws had been formally allowed by the Privy Couucil, it was thought desirable to afford the longest possible opportunity for their being so allowed before the time of holding the meeting ; since in default of their beiug so allowed, the election of Officers and Council, n-hich according to the provi- sions of the Charter can only be held under the bye-laws, and con- sequently not until after their allonance, could not have been held at the meeting at all, and must indeed haye been postponed for another year.In future, however, it mill probably be desirable to hold tlie Annual General Meeting and election as soon us may be after the 1st of March. Under the provisions jointly of the Charter and the bye-laws, the Council of the Institute has entrusted to it no incoti-siderable powers.It constitutes, however, but the chosen executive of the entire corporate body, who are indeed the body responsible alike for tlie geiwal policy of the Institute, and the regulation, broadly, of its affairs. The desirable continuity in any course of actiou pursued by the Council is provided for by the circumstance of two-thirds of its members being eligible for re-appointment at each sriccessive Annual General Meeting. The desirable renovation of the Council, and its continuance in touch with the general body is provided for by the circumstance of the whole of its members vxcacing office every year ; by one-third of the old members being ineligible for re-appointment ; arid by the official nomination of one-third of the new members being left iu 10 the hands OF the general body. The powers of the Coiincil are, moreover, limited by the conditions that they are to be exercised in accordance with.and sobject to the provisions of the Charter and bye-laws of the Institute; that they are to be subject also to the control and regulation of any General Meeting ; and that they are not. to be exercised in respect of certain matters- such as the making of bye-laws and the piirchasing or erecting of any building-which, under the provisions of the Charter, reqiiire to hare the sanction of a General Meeting. Doubtless, it must and will happen from time to time that the action of the Council, determined on after consideration and discussion, of representations and counter-representations brought specially under their notice.may not have the approval of individual Fellom ; but it will clearly be the fault of the general body, if the general coiirse of action of the Coiincil, subject as it it is in 80 many ways to their direction, is not in accordance with their prevailing wishes. It should be fully understood that the Institute of Chemistry is essentially a professional orpnisation, haTing in yiew profes- fessional objects. Its primary fuiiction is not the dissemination of scientific knowledge, but the assurance of scientific attainment. It is, indeed, the organisation of a highly scientific profession ; probably the most, certainly one of the most, scientific of all existing professions.And its chief purpose is to ensure and improve the scientific training of those practising the profession, by setting up a high standard of scientific proficiency, and by cer-tifying to the attainment of such a standard on the part of its registered members. As regards persons already in practice, its attestation miist necessarily be based on the eyidence available that they haw, for not a fe~7yeare, practised their profession with approved skilfulness and good repute. Such persons may well be depended on to maintain the character of the profession, and to justify the attestation accorded them. But it is with the future of the profession, as deterniiried by the training and character of those entering its ranks, that the Institute is chiefly concerned.The gradual elevation and advancement of the profession in general, on the one hand by the educational and other demands made on every one admitted into the corporation, and on the other 11 hand by the inducement which admission to membership of the corporation dl hold out to educated men, is the declared purpose for which the Institute WHS originally founded,-a purpose spoke11 of in the Royal Charter, under which it has since been incorporated, as ‘’ laudable and deserving of encouragement.” Accordingly, in the case of all persons now entering the profession, not only are they required to show a practical familiarity with chemical operations as tested by the Institute itself, but they hare in addition to furnish satisfactory evidence alike of general scientific training and general scientific attainment.The Institute of Chemistry having been s11ccessire1y fonnded and iiicorporltted with a view to the organisation and elevation of the chemical profession, it is to the achievement of this object that its efforts are propdg directed ; and it is by the more or less full acliierement of this object that it must eventually claim to be judged. Despite many difficulties, owing in the first instance to the unsuitability of its constitution t3 the purposes and influences it aimed at effecting, and latterly to the transitional stage through n-hich it has passed, it has admittedly achieved no incnnsiderable amount of success. From this time forward, favoured by its Royal Charter, and acting now for the first time under its om bye-laws, it starts anew on its career, with a smoother course arid more hopeful prospects than ever yet lay open before it.It prefers a claim upon all engaged in the pro- fesion of chemistry to interest themselves in its welf;ire, and to make its now completed organis,ition serviceable to good ends, and a means of advancing the Irofession to which they are attached, and of which they feel so justifiable a pride in being accounted members. Unfortunately, the objects which the Institute of Chemistry is intended to subserre are not such as afford occasion for frequent personal intercourse, or for the circulation of beneficial printed communications among its Fellows,-means which habitually exert so large an influence in binding members of one and the same corporation to one another, and sustaining their interest in the corporation to which they in coiiimm belong. Requirements of education, examination, attestation, and registration, are not 12 matters habitually calling forth a strong enthusiasm of grateful recollection.But in 2ef;Lult of auy such enthusiasm, the Insti- tute, especially in the still early stages of its career, prefers a claim on its members for steady, continuous accord aiid support. While carefully guarding the portals of the profession, it further aspires to safeguard the interests of those those ad-mitted within the precincts.It is now to a considerable extent, it looks forward to being to a far greater extent, the means of assuring to the cctref ully trained aud honourably conducted pro- fessional chemist, a recognised claim aud position against which the imqnalified and meretricious will feel it in vain to contend. Styongly desiderated, as it has been by many of the younger and more earnest of the profession, it appeals to the good-will arid fostering interest of all ; and of those, more especially, wlioss already assured position puts them personally beyond the scope and influence of its looked for usefulness and future success. But the possession of adequate scientific qualification to enter a profession is one thing, the maintenance of high scientific qualification to practice the profession is another.The first named qualification, as the result of a special prescribed study, can alone be tested and attested by tlie Institute ; the last named qualifica- tion is necessarily dependent on a volrintary perseverance in scientific study and a maintained interest in scieutific progress. The advances of scientific chemistry are nowadays so rapid, and the development of applied chemistry follows so closely on the heels of scientific discovery, while pointing the way to yet further discovery, that the professional chemist, more perhaps t hau any other professioiial ~naii, is placed in tlie happy position of being bound throughout his life to continue 8 student of science, and a contributor in one way or another to its advaoce- ment. A student, if only for his own sake, he must be ; a teacher he may be, and on many grouuds it is desirable that, iu some cases, he should be.With but few exceptions, some of them it is trne very eminent exceptions, the leading chemists of the couii try are the holders of professorial positions ; and would it be other than a loss to professional chetnistry, and to the many great interests cominitted to the care and judgeinerit of professional chemists, if prxkitioners atid profcssors were to be, from the 13 first, and throughout, broadly marked off from one another ? Would it, for example, be for the public advantage, that Professor Williamson, Professor Frtnkland, Professor Roscoe, Professor Tyndall, Professor Dewar, and others, should be debarred from affording their professional services to tbe Board of Trade, to Royal Commissions, to the Judicature, to the Trinity House, to the Home Office, to the Board of Works, to the Board of Inland Reveuue, and to other municipal or state departments ? Would it again be for the public advantage, that the chemists exclusively engaged in these and other departments should, in particnlar cases of difficulty and doubtfulness, be unable to hare the professional co-operation of their professorial brethren ; that the men eminent for highly specialized knowledge, should in their responsible positions be refused, from time to time, the desired co-operation of men with a difkrent and wider range of knowledge ? Would it he for tlie advantage of the many large interests confided to them that the body of professional chemists throughout the land, should be a body wliolly apart from, arid not amenable to the influence of association 011 an equal footing with, the holders of professorial positions, and recoguised leaders of chemical thought in the coiintT ? On the other band, the gain to professorial teaching and even to investigation, from the occasional engagements of the pro- fessoriate in T-arious branches of professional work, would seem not to admit of question.Technical chemistry is the necessary and friendly illustrative of general chemistry ; and such a know- ledge of technical chemistry as is only to be acquired by the responsible conduct from time to time of technical inquiries, is by no means the least essential item of knowledge demanded in professorial teaching.General chemistry, while distinct from technical chemistry properly so called, has this in corniuon with it, that it comprises a study of all the niore important chemical changes taking place or effected, on rz large scale, in the different processes of nature and art. It is necessary for the student to complete his cliemical education by being made acquainted with these different changes and processes viewed as chemical phenomena ; since by their stud7 he is enzlded to acquire a far better understanding of the nature and results of cheniical change, than he could possibly get by a study of laboratory processes only, conducted mostly on a small scale and with a different object.The teaching of scientific chemistry is not meant only or chiefly for those of independent means, who throughout their lives are to he exclusively etudents and inquirers ; but is meant in large measurch for those who, in some way or other, are to make tlieir shdy of the principles of chemistry available for tlieir own needs, and directly contributorp to the prosperity and productiveness of the country. It is for the pro- fessor of chemistry, by that familiarity with technical operations which is attainable only by occasional participation in them, and responsibility with regard to them, to make himself qualified to direct tlie pupil in his scientific study of technical procesSes, con- sidered as among the largest and most important illustrations of chemical cliange.In many ways, indeed, it is for the advantage of those ~homhe teaches, that he should not hold himself aloof froiii the professional pursni ts for whicli tlie majority of them are qualifying tliernsel~es niider his iristruction and guidance. The question is not betneen :I teacher fulfilling the special duties of his chair assiduous17 and earnestly, or perfunctorily and indolently ; for among not the least active and renowned of teachers, have been found those largely engaged from time to time, and in one way or other, in professional work. Elit the question is, assuming the attention of the teacher to he'_ardatblein some measure for other duties, whether his duly paid for occasional engagern2nt in the n-ork of technical inquiry is not at least as cognate and professori;dl~- iinprovii~g, :IS his alike paid for, more or less continuoiis, engsgeiiicnt iii the iiot over edifying work of ex:uni nershi p, secre tnryslii tli rectorsliip, editorship, hack-authorship, and so forth.To 1)e twgaged in tlie profession of surgery, of medicine, of lair, of engineering, and of' fine-art, &c., is an ;iImost essen tic21 requireinelit of' the professor of each of these subjects ; and to he engaged in the professioii of uliemistr-, cannot, it ~oul(1seeni, be otherm-ise regarded tl~ii1as tl valnable contrihutory qun1ific.ntion of the professor of cheinistrj-.In support of this positioii, 1 would invitc ?our attention to the substaiice of a letter coiiiinnnicatted some tiine Imck, 1))-Professor Frankland, to '' The CILmir(r/L\7(w.q,'' ,Is this letter (see, Appendix) was called forth by way of reply to an else~~her~-a~pcari!ig, alike 15 foolish and rancourous attack on the Institute, to which it is not worth while to accord the impoi.tance of more than a passing men- tion, I hare persuaded Professor Frankland, here and there, to alter the wording of his letter, excluding from it, as far as could be, all animadrersion on the little ebullition of editorial pique, to which it was only too serious a rejoinder. For editors, even professor- editors, ‘‘ however they have writ the style of gods,” hare yet their besetting frailties ; t,all-talking rather than plain-dealing being.indeed, their too delightful privilege, and eyer fondly resorted to weapon, serving them both as sword and shield. In common with other great gifts, the power of making impor- tttrit contributions to knowledge and doctrine is, in its very nature, a rare power. Whatever his desires, opportuiii ties, and efforts, it is iiot given to every one to be a great discoverer. Rut to c’very member of a scientific profession it is given to do good and useful work in science, audiin the applications of science. More especially it is incumbent on the professional chemist to be not unmindful of, nor is he found to be unmindful of, the special opportunities afforded him.By his function and training, he would seem to be of necessity an investigator ; siiice to analj-se necessarily implies to investigate. Slwaps indeed should *it he borne in mind that the varied work of the professional chemist, in its diff’erent degrees 9f niagnitude, responsildity, and originali t-. is essentially scientific work, claiming to be conducted in a scientific spirit. As but few among us can be in. or near, tlirb iirst rank of disco\-erers, so neither can many of us he holders of’ the first, professional positions, and doers of the most dignified and hjghlyv remunerated professioiial ~ork.13ut as it is for the youthful. the little heard of, and the stniggling worker to pride hinirelf on belonging to a definite learned profession, including in its ranks the inost eminent and revered of his masters in scieiicc, so it is for every one.no ma8tterhow liigli his position, n-ho is. or IIHS beell, engaged in any way in professional chemistry, arid take5 interest in the professioi~al career of his pupils and smxessors, to recognise the tie wliieli biiids liiin and his fellow workers togetliein. It is for all alike to acknowledge a mutual claim 011 :‘acli other‘s consideration and good will, and a common obligation to the now organised profession of wliicli all alike we men] bers. 16 THE INSTITUTE OF CHEMISTRY TO THE EDITOR OF “ THE CHEMICAL NEIT’S.” SrR,-In the number of ‘‘Natwe ” for the 2Gth of November last, there appeared an editorial article headed “The Whole Duty of a Chemist,” con- taining cricicirims on the scope and objects of the Institute of Chemistry.In common with others, I have felt surprise and regret at the numerous mis- statements contained in the article, and at the tone adopted throughout the reproof which the writer has “ felt it his bounden duty ” to administer to the Members of the Institute; and as I have been associated with, and greatly interested in the progress of the new organization from its founda- tion, and have felt the great need for a definite bond associating chemists in a common work, for the improvement of the training and education of pro-fessional chemists, for the raising of the standard of professional work. and for the promotion and encouragement of a uniformly high tone and spirit in its performance, I will ask you to give me space to defend the Institute against the gross mi.iepresentations contained in L‘ NatwP,’’ since the ditor lids thought fit to a!ose his jouriial against my criticisms.The editor of “Nutt~~e”implies that, in common with “all true men of science,” he considers the creation of tlie new Chartered Corporation as an event quite beneath notice in his journal, except on account of the interest resulting from the ‘‘ considerntioii of its prospective influence on the progress of science.” He seems to think that there can be nothing great, noble, or truly beiieficial for mankind, except original research. The physician, surgeon, and engineer, whom lie classifies with the tailor and bootmaker, may be respectable members of society, but they are quite beneath the notice of the ‘‘ student of pure science.” They are unworthy of his sympathy or gratitude, however much their knowledge and slrill m~y benefit their fellow- men, inasmuch as they make a livelihood by their several professions,-a grotesque representation of the relative positions of investigators and pro-fessionals.not calculated to commend itself to either class. The Institute does hope to do for its members what the College of Physicians and the College of Surgeons have done for theirs, by formally 17 including them within the ranks of a learned profession ; while the world at large must benefit by the setting up of a high standard of scientific know-ledge and proficiency.Its object is certainly not, as the writer states, that of the ‘‘ modern trades-unions.” The President distinctly and truly said in his address, “It does not lay itself out, nor is it fltted, for the exercise of ahat may be called a trades-union method of proceeding.” It is not true, as stated in the article, ‘‘ that the intention is entirely commercial.” On the contrary, its chief intentions are educational and ethical. The editor of LL Nature ” is pleased to pronounce the medical education of the day as the ‘‘ worst organised and least effective.” Even admitting this to be the case, which I am far from doing, surely its improvement would not be promoted by abolishing all organisation, and leaving medical students to develop into practitioners simply according to their own inclinations. Such was the condition of things in the chemical profession before the foundation of the Institute in 1876.Already, however, its action has very materially raised the standard both of special and general training amongst those wlio have presented themselves for examination ; and several original investigations have been made by candidates with special reference to their admission to the Associateship. The rapid increase in the number of asplieations of chemistry to agriculture, manufactures, public health, the service of the State, and the daily wants of modern civilisation, has, for many years past, conferred upon professional chemistry an importance scarcely second to that of other professions which have been similarly called into existence by the urgent wants of society; and, like them, it required organisation and suitable scientific training for its creditable and successful practice.The curriculum prescribed for the lower degree of Associate, includes a thorough training in theoretical and practical chemistry,-an original retjearuh, conducted by the candidate, being considered a specially high recommendation. In addition, he is required to pass satisfactory examina- tions in physics and mathematics, and is always specially examined by the oficers of the lnstitute in practical chemistry. This examination, which extends over several days, is conducted in properly-equipped laboratories by the following official examiners: Prof.W. A. ‘I’ilden, D.Sc., P.R.S., for Birmingham ; Prof. Itamsay, Ph.D., for Bristol ; Prof. W. N. Hartley, F.B.S., for Dublin; Prof. E. J. Mills, I).Sc., F.R.S.,for Glasgow; Prof. Charles Graham, D.Sc., for London ; and Mr. Watson Smith for Manchester. These are names of world-wide reputation, and I leave your readers to judge how far an institution having such objects, performing such func-tions, and including in its register the name of nearly every chemist of eminence in the United Kingdom, deserves the contempt and reproach with which it has been assailed in the columns of “Nature.” Unlike the editor of that journal, I consider that the President of the Institute was particularly happy in his delineation of the etatus and character of the professional as distinguished from the professorial or tutorial rni~iiof science.There is a great deal of flabby sentimentalism abroad in reference to the earning of fees by scientific men, and it was high time that its hollowness should be exposed. It is said that this sentimentalism has even in some cases taken the form of so drawing the conditions of appoint- ments as to prohibit the occupants of professorial chairs from taking part in any technical inquiry, however important. It is my deliberate conviction that this complete divorce of science from practice is most disadvantageous to the man of science, to the national welfare, and even to the progress of scientific investigation. Such a prohibition effectually cuts off the professor from one of the most important and valuable sources of scientific know-ledge, and decidediy impairs his capacity for teachiug, inasmuch ab it deprives him of the oppoytunity of acquaintance with the most recent appli- cations and problems of science.Without travelling beyond the TJnited Kingdom, I may mention the names of Faraday, Graham, Brande, Miller, Gregory, Anderson, Stenhouse, Brodie, Kane and Hofmann as those of men who have all applied their science to the utilities of the day, and have received honourable payment for the same; and whilst thus aifording valuable aid to others, they materially widened and deepened their own scientific knowledge. 9s for my own experience, the training I have received from work of this kind has been of inestimable service to me, not only as a teacher, but also as an investigator, for it has suggested several enquiries which were subsequently pursued in my own laboratory.LLThe editor of Nature ” waxes grandiloquent over the high dignity of thc investigator, and asserts that the endowment of research is not for the benefit of the researcher. As a matter of fact, however, researchers have been, and htill are, endowed from the National Exchequer to enable them to live whilst making their investigations, It is well known that original inves- tigation is a source of the greatest pleasure and delight, and taking this into account, I have heard an eminent discoverer, now on the Bench, say that instead of being endowed, researchers ought rather to pay for this the highest giatificrttion of their wishes.This is no doubt an extreme view, but I can scarcely imagine a greater ‘‘ benefit” to the researcher than having his sustenance and expenses provided for him by others, in order that he may devote himself to his favourite pursuits. I am not deprecating the endow- ment of resewch. Much may be said on both sides of this subject, and when you catch your gieat discoverer, it is undoubtedly for the national good that he should be endowed. On the whole, however, I agree with the President that the ‘‘best of all endowments for research, is that with whioh the searcher, relying on his own energies, succeeds in endowing himself.” The writer’s remarks on experts are perhaps not altogether undeseryed, Lut the fault is by no means entirely theirs, and is to be attributed much mole to the state of the law relating to their evidence.So far as the fanlt rests with fie expat, it is the duty of the Cenhors of tlie Institute to deal with it. Every unprejudiced person will admit that the more extensive and accurate linowledge, and the higher tone which our corporation seeks to promote, must tend to its rectification ;whilst tlie &‘ not too inucli knowledge or conBcjence,” vvhich the editor of ‘‘Natuie ” coiisoIes himself in thinking- 19 are amongst the most valuable qualities in an expert, would as certainly tend in the opposite direction. Experts are, however, rare in the Institute ; the great mass of its members consists of chemists in factories, public analysts, and chemists in Government departments and in the employ of the corpora- tions of our large towns.These are supplemented by professors, teachers, manufacturers and others, who consider that the better training of pung chemists, most of whom must of necessity earn their livelihood by the exercise of their profession, is an object which it is desirable to encourage. Of the hundreds of chemists who are annually turned odt of our labora- tories more or less educated, few can become State-endowed researchers. Is it not to be wished that the large residue should be well educated and properly trained for the work they have to do in the world? To some of them problems will be submitted involving the success or failure of large industries; and upon all of them, who follow their profession, will rest the duty of maintaining, so far as chemistry is concerned, our national supremacy in arts and manxfactures.Those of them endowed with the true spirit of research will rarely fail to find time for an occupation which promises them the keenest pleasure. It would indeed be well if those who inherit wealth would qualify themselves for the investigation of Nature ;but, unfortunately, this is rarely the case, and hitherto the progress of science has depended mainly upon the work of men who have had to earn their own livelihood. Heasoning from the fact that the medical profession, in consequence of its scientific training, has very largely recruited the ranks of investigators, it is not too much to expect that the Institute of Chemistry, with its far more specialised curriculum, will at least equally distinguish itself by the evolution of experimental inquirers.It must be borne in mind, however, that besides original research, there are other things in the world which deserve the support and encouragement of the man of science ; and whilst yielding to none in our estimate of the great value of research, we must not forget that it is by no means ‘‘the whole duty of a chemist.” I am, &c., E. PBANKLAND. THE YEWS, HEIGXLX, December 12, 1886.