attainments. The president offered a few prac-, tical observations, and closed a very interesting and happy meeting. May the association have many such!-R. K., Jun. Dundee Literary Societies' Union.-Lecture by the Rev. George Gilfillan.-On Wednesday, Nov. 24, the Rev. George Gilfillan, president of this union, delivered, in Tay square Chapel, the first of a series of lectures to young men. The subject of the lecture was," The Characteristics and Prospects of the Present Age." After prayer, the reverend gentleman proceeded as follows:-" Before entering on the main subject of this evening's lecture, I mean, first, to propound and to reply to one or two objections which may meet me on the threshold of such a theme. It may be said, for instance, that it is a subject too large for the grasp of any mind, particularly in the compass of an hour; and so it would be, did any mind attempt wholly to grasp it, especially in a period so brief; but this I am not foolish enough to try. I wish simply to touch on some of the topmost summits of various things, gleaming out from that mist which, more or less, enwraps all our valley of vision. I leave the cavities and the windings of the lower glens to be explored by them that have more insight, more leisure, or more love for the perilous and perplexing survey. And, although it is impossible to exhaust in any lecture, or in any library of lectures, all the aspects of our wondrous mother age, yet, perhaps a stray sentence -a word in season here and there-may cast a little useful and precious light upon some sideangle or corner, or even hidden depth in the great whole. Another and a more formidable objection to any such survey, as I propose, lies in the extreme rapidity with which the most momentous changes are at present succeeding each other. The aspects of the age! Why, every year now is itself an age-every day, and even hour, is crowded with events-such as of yore were thinly sprinkled throughout centuries. How, then, keep up with such a swift and startling motion? How compute the revolutions of such a rapidly revolving and tremendous wheel? How daguerreotype the features of a Proteus, who is assuming every moment a new face? Believing, however, as I do, in the prevalence of general laws, of fixed trade-winds of tendency, and steady currents of progress, or to use other and better words-in the control, constant superintendence, and all inform ing influence of a Divine mind, whose spirit at once impels and moves in the advancing wheels of society-I do not think myself presumptuous in asking, however imperfectly I may answer the questions, whither are we apparently bound?what are the general characteristics, and the probable prospects, of the present age? Among the prominent characteristics of the age, I name-1st. Its disregard for antiquity growing in proportion to its knowledge of the ages that are past. 2nd. Its intense consciousness of itself, of its own merits and faults, weaknesses and powers. 3rd. Its universal restlessness, excitement, and irritation. 4th. Its tendency to run into extremes. 5th. Its strong assertion of individualism strangely co-existing with an appetence for great general united movements. 6th. Its desire to intermeddle with all knowledge, and to press that knowledge, if possible, into a unity, and to find for it a centre. 7th. Its thirst for change, especially in political, moral, and religious matters. 8th. Its far-shooting mechanical energies and commercial movements, and spirit of universal enterprise. 9th. Its recognition of the vast importance of the popular element, and of the supreme necessity of attending to the wants, listening to the voice, and elevating the condition of the labouring classes; and, not to multiply characteristics unduly, I mention, lastly, the earnestness, the doubt, the hope, the fear, and the uncertainty-all of which are combining, in unequal proportious, to form our present strange and anomalous religions attitude and aspect. From these I select what seem to me the most peculiar, and which will be seen, ere I close, to bear most powerfully upon the main object which I have in view in the whole of this discourse. And they seem to me the following:-1st. The insulated position of our age. 2nd. Its exceeding restlessness. 3rd. The way in which its knowledge is increasing at all points, and seeking for a unity which hitherto it has not been able fully to find. 4th. Its singular state as to religion." On these various heads the reverend gentleman amplified in a long and eloquent address, which was frequently and loudly applauded. Chalmers Society.-The second anniversary of this society was celebrated, on the 9th of December, at its place of meeting, the City School, Blackfriars, London-the Rev C. F. Chase, rector of Blackfriars, in the chair. Tea being concluded, and the chairman having addressed the meeting, the report was read, from which it appeared that the general results of the society's operations were very encouraging. The number of members on the books was thirty-eight. During the year thirteen papers had been read, and three devo tional meetings and eleven discussions held, the latter on the subjects of Lord Palmerston's retirement; universality of the Deluge; the Crystal Palace and the Sabbath; Wellington and Napoleon compared; the social influence of Calvinism; and the others on subjects suggested by this journal, in the course of which seventy-seven speeches had been made. Two of the members had emi grated, one of whom had filled the office of secre tary, and hoped to spread operations of the same character. Addresses were then delivered by Mr. J. Davis, on "The Society;" Mr. J. S. Jones, on "The Christian Aspects of the Age;" and Mr. W. Stock, on "The Future;" in the intervals of which passages from Henry VIII, and Tupper's "Dirge on Wellington" were recited by Messrs. Stock and Silverlock with much taste and feeling. The second speaker took occasion warmly to recommend the British Controversialist, the influence of which is already manifest amongst the members. The proceedings concluded with the national anthem.-J. S. J. Pontefract Mechanics' Institute.-The annual soirée of the above institute was held in the townhall on Wednesday, 15th December. The hall had been tastefully decorated under the superinten dence of James Rhodes, Esq., surgeon, and presented a most imposing appearance. At the hour of tea all available space was occupied, and we may state that double the number of tickets could have been sold if there had been sufficient accommodation. After tea, Thomas Routledge, Esq., mayor, having been called to the chair, addressed the meeting in a brief though pertinent speech. After alluding to the pleasure it gave him in meeting such a numerous company, and touching upon the advantages of mechanics' institutions the gratification it gave him in knowing that this institution was in a prosperous condition, and that it was progressing and enlarging its influence, he concluded with a truth telling appeal for practical support to the institutionThe report was then read by the secretary, Mr. J.E. Robinson, and showed that the institution was progressing, both as regards its subscribers and its operations. The Rev. S. Simmons then addressed the meeting, and was listened to with breathless attention during the course of a long address, in which he expatiated in a most eloquent and mas erly manner on the advantages of such institutions, touching upon their beneficial, moral, social, religious, and intellectual tendencies.-Mr. Traice, from Leeds, followed in his usual happy and humorous manner, keeping the audience almost in a continued state of laughter; but yet throwing out some of the most sound, useful, and practical remarks. Mr. Heaton, of Leeds, then followed in a speech the most earnest and practical we ever remember to have listened to, and concluded with that noble poem of Longfellow, "Excelsior." -The Rev. T. Dennison, the Rev. C. Ellis, and other gentlemen, afterwards addressed the meeting, and were listened to with the deepest attention and delight. We must not forget to mention that the members of the Wakefield Madrigal Society were in attendance, and that they, along with our talented pianist, Mr. Jeremiah Rhodes, contributed much to the evening's entertainment. Though our new and highly-popular member for the borough, B. Oliveira, Esq., was prevented by his parliamentary duties from being present as announced, yet, we think, never has there been a more interesting meeting of the Pontefract Mechanies Institution; and never has there been so large an attendance of all classes, from the highest to the lowest. was called, and attended by about thirty of the "working class." The object of the meeting was stated; rules for a society were suggested; plans, &c., brought forward; but nothing definitely arranged. Another meeting was called, at which there was a larger attendance than at the previous one, and rules were adopted for the future management of the society. It was resolved that two nights a week should be allowed for mathematical instruction and the reading of historical and scientific works; and that on Friday evenings essays should be read, and occasional lectures delivered, by the members. The number of members increased very rapidly; in April, 1850, they numbered 250; but the grand misfortune was, that our place of meeting was too small. Our times of meeting were limited to three nights. In this prosperous condition we passed the summer and autumn of 1830. In the spring of 1851 the number of members began to decline. The committee, seeing this, was determined, if possible, to revive the interest by establishing a reading room, which was supplied with newspapers and periodicals. This did not secure that lasting success which the committee anticipated, and the members gradually left the society, with the exception of about eight, who were determined not to give it up. They decided upon calling a special meeting, at which only eight were present; when it was thought fit to remodel the society and put it altogether on a different footing. To accomplish this fresh rules were necessary, and we have to thank you for the model rules in your journal, which is the framework of our own. We determined to devote Tuesday evenings to mathematical instruction; Thursday evenings for a discussion class (the most attractive feature in the society); and Friday evenings to elocution exercises, under the care of the ex-vice-president, Mr. Dillon. The number of our members kept very We may state that the institution has a good steady until we decided upon the delivery of leclibrary, news-room, reading-room, discussion tures. Two of these, on" Polynesia," were given class, &c. &c. The latter-named class meets every by the Rev. J. T. Jesson, late missionary in Tuesday evening, and proceeds as follows:-One Tahiti, and president of the society, and secured Tuesday evening, debates; the next Tuesday for us a few new members. After the lectures a evening, recitations, and readings from the works discussion ensued, viz., "Was Oliver Cromwell of our best authors; the next evening, debate; justified in signing the document for Charles to and the fourth evening, an essay from one of the be beheaded; and was he a Christian?" The members, &c. Our next topic for debate is the next questions for discussion were, "Was NaLife and Character of the Duke of Wellington.poleon or Wellington the greatest general, and The British Controversialist is supplied regularly, and several of the members of the institution are also its regular subscribers, the number of which, we are happy to say, is on the increase.-J. N. C. Runcorn Mutual Improvement Society-The history of this society presents us with notices of many changes of fortune; for, although at times the society has been loudly cheered, and the members were numerous and industrious, unfortunately, when the charm of novelty passed away, many left the society to join their old associates and pursuits; yet through all this, and through many other difficulties, the committee, with increasing energy, determined to continue the society. In February, 1850, there was no institution in the town of Runcorn for the improvement of young men. This lack was felt by some who were desirous of improving themselves in reading, writing, and the elements of a sound education. A meeting of the young men of Runcorn which was most deserving of our esteem ?" "Which most deserves the esteem of mankind, the Poet or Legislator?" "Is Universal Suffrage just or desirable ?" "Would the Ballot be beneficial in its effects?" "Supposing the War between the English and Kafirs be won by the English, would it be beneficial to England in a commercial point of view?" When these discussions were closed, a lecture was delivered on "India" by the Rev. John Edmonds, of St. Helen's, late of India; after which the first social party of the society was held in the Bethesda schoolroom, at which tea was provided; and two essays were read by Messrs. Nield and Slade, followed by several speeches and recitations of a pleasing character. The subjects of our next dis cussions were-"From which do we derive the greatest amount of pleasure-Hope or Memory?" "Would an Extension of the Suffrage be beneficial to England?" Mr. Brown next gave a lecture on the "Currency." A second social party took place, and was well attended. An essay was read by Mr. D. Speakman, secretary, "On the Advantages derived from the Study of History." After which, Mr. Brown delivered an eloquent address on the beneficial effects of Mutual Improvement Societies, and a second essay was read by Mr. R. K. Naylor on "Biography; comprising more particularly Milton and the Men of his Times;" at the conclusion of which recitations were given by the members, which added much to interest the company. Mr. Pritchard delivered a discourse on" Hope and Perseverance." The last quarter opened with a lecture "On the Advantage arising from the Study of English History from its earliest sources," by Mr. Brown, when an interesting discussion arose; this was followed by another on the question, "Was Julius Cæsar justified by any act of honesty in invading the land of our forefathers? What was his aim? Was he desirous of elevating the people, or was it for his own personal ambition and aggrandizement?" need hardly remark that all have been greatly benefited by their perusal.-J. G. F., Sec. The Madras Young Men's Literary Society.I am sure that you, your readers, and all interested in the intellectual advancement of mankind, will be gratified to learn that even in India, which English people call the land of darkness and heathenism, literary societies have been founded, for the advantage of persons in the middle and lower walks of life. Here, at Madras, the second city of British India, a Young Men's Literary Society has been in existence for the last four years. At first its prospects were dreary; but now, I am happy to say, they are cheering. At the last anniversary meeting of the society, Sir Christopher Rawlinson, Knt., our chief justice, presided, and was well pleased with the progress and state of the society, Sir W. Burton, Knt, our puisne judge, the Bishop of Madras, Mr. Advocate-General Morton, Dr. Alexander Hunter, the founder of the School of Industrial Art at Madras; Mr. Henry Mead, the able editor of the Athenæum, the leading paper of our city, and several other influential gentlemen, have kindly supported the society. The object of the society is the mental and moral improvement of the young men of the city, and this is to be effected by means of lectures, classes, and a suitable library. Lectures are delivered before the members once a month, or as often as lecturers can be procured. There are not many in Madras who are capable of lecturing, and those who possess the capability are diffident to face an audience; hence great difficulty is experienced, for lecturers are not paid for their trouble, as in England. On Friday evening, Nov. 26, the third soirée for the present year was held in Bethesda schoolroom, the Rev. J. T. Jesson, president of the society, in the chair, when about 120 members and friends sat down to tea. After tea the intellectual business of the evening commenced by a speech from the president, who dwelt at some length on the importance of such societies. Longfellow's "Excelsior" was then given by one of the members--(from this poem the "motto" of the society is taken). Mr. Brown gave an appropriate address "On the Advantages of being connected with Discussion Classes;" after which numerous pieces were recited by members of the society. The recitations were selected from the works of Shakspeare, Darwen, Byron, Mackay, C. Matthews, Colman, Addison, Campbell, Hood, Long-society-the Discussion, the Political Economy, fellow, Wilson, &c. &c. The room was profusely decorated with evergreens, enclosing appropriate mottoes. After a hearty vote of thanks to the ladies for their kindness in presiding at the tables, the president closed the meeting, and the company separated, highly delighted with the entertainments. The number of members now in connexion with the society is twenty-six, all young men of the working class, and we have the prospect of many more joining us. Several of the members are subscribers to the British Controversialist. | It will afford us great pleasure to extend its circulation as far as possible, as the benefit derived from it is very great.-D. J. S. Birmingham.-Wesley Chapel Mutual Improvement Society.-The yearly tea meeting of this society was recently held, and presided over by Mr. J. W. Felvus, who in the course of the evening delivered an eloquent speech on knowledge. It appeared, from the report read by the secretary, that during the past year thirty-five subjects have been discussed, and seventeen other evenings have been devoted to improvement in elocution. Many of the members spoke on the subject of" Improvement Classes," showing their necessity for extending knowledge and training the mind. A plan was also suggested for extending the society by public lectures during the winter mouths, and the money realized by such means to be laid out in books for the use of this society. The society takes in two numbers of the British Controversialist, and several members are in possession of the two yearly volumes. I There are three classes in connexion with the and the Tamil classes. These classes meet weekly, each on a separate day. They are well attended, but not so well as they deserve. At the firstmentioned class topics of a local or general nature are discussed, and the debates are, at times, par ticularly interesting. The text-book used in the second-named class is Burton's "Social and Political Economy," one of Chambers's series. This class is conducted on the mutual instruction principle, for the want of an efficient teacher. In the Tamil class the Tamil language is studied under a competent moonshee, or native teacher. The Tamil-or Malabar language, as it is com monly called-is the vernacular of the city of Madras and nearly one-third of the Madras presidency, and is spoken by upwards of ten millions of souls. I am sorry that I cannot give a favourable account of the library of the society; however, measures are now in course of execution for placing this department of the society's operations in an efficient condition. We have also a reading-room, open daily, and supplied with nearly all the local periodicals and newspapers. The Illustrated London News, Punch, the Weekly News and Chronicle, “Chambers's Edinburgh Journal," and the " Edinburgh Review," are received regularly from England. The "Calcutta Review" is also in the readingroom. Your excellent periodical is subscribed for by several members of the society, and they are greatly pleased with its contents. Several of the debated subjects have been discussed in the proper class. To create a general interest in the discussion class, quarterly réunions are held, and certain members of the class play prominent parts in them. I forgot to say the society entirely excludes sectarian views on religion, for it has among its members Christians of every denominationEuropeans and their descendants, who are called Eurasians, or East Indians; and Hindoos and Mahometans-men of every religion, caste, and colour. Each member pays, monthly, eight annas, or one shilling. I have, I think, given you sufficient information respecting the Madras Young Men's Literary Society, and trust that you will kindly insert this letter in the "societies" portion of your interesting publication, for the information of all wellwishers of literary and kindred associations, seeing that it has travelled ten thousand miles!-A MEMBER. The Inquirer. QUESTIONS REQUIRING ANSWERS. 134. C. C. K. would be exceedingly obliged to any of the readers of this periodical if they could inform him how to set about making a telescope of sufficient power to render the satellites of Jupiter, the rings of Saturn, visible, &c.; the price, the amount of power, and every other necessary information to be known upon this subject. 135. I have for some time felt it necessary that I should pursue some systematic course of reading, but have been deterred from doing so by not knowing which would be the most proper books. Perhaps some of your numerous readers would be kind enough to direct me as to the most proper books a Sunday school teacher should engage his attention to, as I wish to make all my studies subservient to my Sunday school teachings. EDWARD. 136. Will any of your numerous correspondents be kind enough to furnish me, through the medium of the magazine, with a list of books in law and general literature, which may be read by a young man who is not restricted to time, but can devote at least eight hours a day to close and continuous study?-A LAW STUDENT. 137. Perhaps some of your correspondents, who so kindly assist the studious, can descend to a trifling matter, but one which is sometimes a course of considerable vexation to those who read through the winter, and inform me, what is the best lamp for reading by? I want one which is economical and gives a good light and little trouble. I have tried camphine, which answers the two first particulars, but requires constant attention to prevent it from smoking, and thus takes the mind from the book.-L. T. L. I should be greatly obliged if any of your correspondents could furnish me with answers to any of the following questions: of hour hand. He said, "Suppose the time by the 138. What is the cause and nature of fog and mist in cities as well as in the country? Are the effects arising from them prejudicial to health? and if so, why? Why does the breath and all kinds of vapour become so easily visible in foggy weather? 139. Which is the most correct way of writing and pronouncing the name of the Arabic impostor and his followers; and of that body of men who formerly ruled the land of Egypt, the Mamalukes? 140. The other day a friend of mine stated that [The questions to which the numbers refer will what was logically true was sometimes practically false, and as a proof of his assertion stated that he could prove the monstrous absurdity that the minute hand of a clock will never overtake the ANSWERS TO QUESTIONS. be found in Vol. III.] 103. Monmouthshire not in Wales. - Those who feel interested in the recent notice having D reference, in part, to the annexation of Monmouthshire to England, will, doubtless, be amused with the following indignant repudiation of the connexion, which I extract from a letter which appeared in the Star of Gwent newspaper of the 16th October: "Whereas Cambria never did shut out her own beautiful Gwent from the principality; but, by the bonds of historical recollections-of national spirit and of native language, has held for centuries, and will hold for ever, her thirteen counties united. "In the reign of King Henry VIII. the juris. diction of Monmouthshire was separated from that of Wales, and included in the circuit of the English judges; therefore, say some, it became an English county! In the present day, all the Welsh counties are taken into the circuits of the English judges; therefore, according to the same process of deduction, it must follow that the whole principality is veritably extinct, notwithstanding its native population, and the title still derived from it by the heir to the British empire! "Gwent is still the Welsh name for Monmouthshire; and the district comprised in that county has, through all ages of the country's authentic history, been included within the varying boundaries of the territory of Gwent, or especially distinguished by that local appellation. Its inhabitants have, from immemorial time, been reckoned among the undoubted descendants of the ancient Britons. The etymological distinctions of the Cymric race, the hereditary preservation of their national authors, the continued traditions of the thirteen counties of the principality, the works of the bards, and the pedigrees deduced from the four royal and fifteen noble tribes, constitute altogether a mass of incontestable evidence, against which an act of parliament, passed by a despotic Tudor, opposes itself in vain. So long as Monmouthshire continues to be inhabited by its ancient Cymric race, it must still continue to be acknowledged by the other twelve counties as an integral part of the principality."-B. W. P. 114. The Decomposition of Water.-Water is a chemical compound of two elements-hydrogen and oxygen-in equal proportions. If we add to water another element capable of overcoming the affinity of its constituents for each other, and combining with one of them, it is then decomposed. Hydrogen may be obtained from water by the following method:-Procure from a tinman's shop three or four pounds of zinc clippings, and melt them in a ladle; pour the fluid metal into a mould made in some damp sand, so as to form a cylindrical bar; fasten a piece of copper bell-wire to the end of the bar, and continue it in a spiral coil to the other end, leaving a space of the eighth of an inch between each coil. Place the bar thus prepared in a wide-mouthed glass bottle, and half fill it with clean water; then add one-fourth of the quantity of water of sulphuric acid by measure. The oxygen of the water combines with the zinc, forming the oxide of zinc, and setting its co-atoms of hydrogen free, which are attracted by the copper wire and evolved from it. The sulphuric acid removes the oxide of zinc from the surface of the bar, forming the sulphate of zine, which is held in solution by the undecomposed portion of the water. Hydrogen will be given off until the water becomes saturated with the sulphate of zine; but upon adding fresh water the action re commences. Hydrogen will be evolved from the zine without the copper wire, but not so fast or so pure. The copper wire causes a current of gal vanic electricity to be generated, which increases the action upon the zine, and facilitates the removal of the hydrogen. The expenditure of one ounce of zinc will yield 676 cubic inches of hydrogen. The gas is easily collected by fitting a cork in the mouth of the bottle, with a tube through its entre, which may convey the gas into bladders furnished with stop-cocks, or into the pneumatic trough, which latter is the more preferable mode. Water is also decomposed by an intensity-current of galvanic electricity. The positive and negative wires of a battery should be connected with platina wires immersed in a vessel containing acidulated water. Oxygen is given off from the positive wire, and hydrogen from the negative, both gases being in a perfectly pure state. They may be collected separately by suspending over each wire a small glass funnel, mouth downwards. The volume of hydrogen will be found to be double that of oxygen. There is very little danger of the explosion of the gases if care is used in the management of them. They should be kept in separate reservoirs, and a portion of the pipes leading therefrom should have a bundle of fine wire-gauze stuffed in tight, through which the gas will pass, but flame cannot. Hydrogen is not explosive in itself; but when mixed with atmospheric air, or in combination with oxygen, on being ignited the gases will explode violently. These gases have a great affinity for each other, or tendency to unite mechanically, in the proportion of two volumes of hydrogen to one of oxygen. On passing an electric spark through a tube containing the gases in those proportions they will explode, and unite chemically, forming water.-F. T. A. 129. The Three most Rising Poets of the Present Day.-According to the adage, “One half the world knows not what the other half is doing," the assertion in the "Eclectic" respecting the avocations of our "three most rising poets" "seemed strange" to many readers of that journal besides our friend "Drumwhannan." The author of that beautiful and glowing tribute to the "Prince of Dreamers" is one of the most eloquent, genial, and discriminating critics of the day-George Gilfillan, of Dundee. In proof of this, his contributions to "Hogg's Instructor, "Eclectic Review," "Tait's Magazine," "Critic," and "British Quarterly," together with his "Galleries of Literary Portraits," and "Bards of the Bible," need only to be referred to. Upon the publication of his first and second "Galleries" is fame as a literary portrait painter extended far and wide; but, when the "Bards came to light, the religious and critical world were taken by surprise, and the volume was pronounced by many competent judges as the best work of the kind that had appeared. The assertion, therefore, by coming from such a quarter, need not startle us; for one who can portray the bards, prophets, and apostles of God's peculiar peop e" with such beauty, power, and success, and limu the mental visages and brainwork of the "great ones" of our own Israel with such insight and faithfulness, ought surely to know, if any one is capable of knowing, who are destined to be the greatest sons of Apollo in our own day. By referring to Mr. Gilfillan's |