PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES.

KING'S COLLEGE.

Mr. Spurrier, the newly-appointed professor to the chair of law and jurisprudence in this Institution, which had become vacant by the death of the late Professor Park, delivered his initiatory discourse before a numerous audience, consisting, for the most part, of gentlemen connected with the profession. The leading feature of Mr. Spurrier's address was the importance of lectures as a medium of instruction in the principles of law, as well as in those of any other branch of science, and he stoutly combated the prejudice which, to a certain extent, obtained, he said, in this country against it; maintaining that there is nothing more likely to ensure the attention and attendance of a student, than a course of lectures which he has once begun ; inasmuch as the loss of a single lecture will be a connecting link broken in the chain, which will render the rest comparatively valueless to him. In proof of this assertion, the professor adverted to the much more efficient state of legal education in England in former years, when there existed lectureships and readings at the universities and various inns of court, which the students were compelled to attend, and where they were made to go through a regular initiation and examination in the principles of the science before they were allowed to practise; thus ensuring to the public the guarantee which, in return for the confidence they reposed in the practitioner, they had a perfect right to demand, that no precaution should be neglected on the part of the courts.

In pursuing his parallel between the past and present system of legal education, Mr. Spurrier, while deprecating the latter, did not impugn individuals, but systems; and although he admitted that there was a species of guarantee to the public in the probation which the law-student has to go through in the chambers of the practitioner, still he contended that it was not of that rigorous nature which they had a right to expect; for, owing to the avocation of the practitioner himself, however great might be his desire to impart knowledge to his pupils, still his opportunities of doing so were few and far between; and the student being thus left in great measure to his own resources, would, unless he were gifted with an extraordinary degree of application and even then his knowledge would be confined to eases and to precedents rather than to principles-at the end of his apprenticeship be in anything but a fit condition to be called to the bar; while, moreover, his mind being thus left to prey upon itself, he would of necessity become exposed to all the allurements of pleasure and to dissipation." Far be it from me," said the professor, " to condemn a course of private reading: on the contrary I highly approve of it; but the solitude of the chamber imparts not the knowledge of the lecture-room, and where, however great the student's assiduity, however great his progress, he will still, in assimilating his ideas of practice to the principles from which they are deducible, find himself at fault. Knowledge of principles, not of technicalities, is the essential he requires; and this is only to be obtained by combining in close union the reflection arising from a course of private reading, with the stimulus and competition incidental to a course of public instruction; and how is this so well to be attained as by a series of lectures, extending not to one branch only, but to all the ramifications of our laws?" The professor, by way of comparison, touched briefly upon the laws of other countries, particularly of America, which, substantially derived from our own, had, he said, at the same time, in many instances, become models, which we had not deemed it beneath us to copy. The seience of law, to a certain extent, he maintained to be inseparable from any free and liberal system of education; and it was to be hoped that, in this respect, we should no longer allow ourselves to be outdone by other nations.

GEOGRAPHICAL SOCIETY.

Mr. Hamilton, V.P., in the chair. The first meeting of the session was

an exceedingly crowded one. The paper read was a memoir of Captain Ross's discoveries, accompanied by a chart. At the conclusion of the paper, Captain Ross himself entered the room, and was very cordially received. The narrative is of a sketchy character, similar in style and arrangement to that addressed to the Admiralty. In 1829 the Captain and his intrepid companions left the shores of England in the Victory steamvessel, formerly a Liverpool trader, but fitted for the expedition at the private expense of Captain Ross and others. The Victory encountered severe weather, and had to sail across the Atlantic to Davis Straits under a jury-mast. At Holstenberg, a port belonging to the Danish government, the vessel was rigged anew and repaired from the wreck of a whaler; the adventurous party then set sail again, and had open sea to Fury Beach. Here, four years previously, Commander Ross (the captain's nephew) had assisted in preserving the provisions saved from the wreck of the Fury, little dreaming that these provisions would be the means of prolonging and saving his life, and the lives of others, so long afterwards. The winter was passed by the officers in scientific inquiry-by the men in amusement. The spring was enlivened by a friendly visit from some Esquimaux, with whom our party went on an excursion, travelling on sledges, drawn by hand and dogs: a skin-boat, in which the adventurers crossed rivers in their route, served also as a roof to the snowy burrows in which they passed their nights. Nothing remarkable attracting their notice, they turned to the southern shore, which appeared to be of granitic formation-bold_and high, possessing numerous islands and inlets. Here Captain Ross, by a fall, broke two of his ribs, which terminated inquiry for 1830. The winter was severe, the thermometer sinking to 92 below the freezing point of Fahr. It was then that the true magnetic pole of the earth was ascertained-the perpendicularity of the needle could not be doubted. The party continued to suffer much from cold. So intense was the frost, that water froze within a short distance of the fire kept constantly burning at either end of the tent. The weather becoming milder, Captain Ross and his companions ultimately left Fury Beach, three of the number being sick and requiring to be occasionally carried. In lat. 72° 30' they fell in with the Isabella, and were immediately taken on board, after having been four years lost to the civilized world.

The chairman notified to Captain Ross that the Society's annual geographical premium had been awarded to him by the council. In making this announcement, the chairman paid a warm tribute to Captain Ross's zeal and disinterestedness in fitting out the Victory for the voyage-to his courage, perseverance, and sense of duty-to his skill in preserving life and health in the inhospitable regions where he and his companions (participatory in his tribute) were so long resident; and, finally, to the advantages which geography, astronomy, and navigation, would derive from his researches. Capt. Ross, in returning thanks, took no praise for the past, but in a manly style said, he trusted his future conduct would mark the sense he entertained of the Society's gift.

MEDICO-BOTANICAL SOCIETY.

This society, established more particularly for taking cognizance of subjects relating to medical botany, has just resumed its very interesting meetings for the present season. It has hitherto been the fault of the societies in existence for the study of the objects of medical science and inquiry that they have been too limited and exclusive in their operation, and confined as the members are to those belonging to the medical profession, they have necessarily lost the opportunity of acquiring much information which might have been obtained, had the immense mass of intelligence diffused amongst the scientific part of the community been brought to their aid. The prosperity and interesting proceedings of the Medico-Botanical Society are sufficiently demonstrative of the ill effects of this system of exDec. VOL. XXXIX. NO. CLVI.

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clusiveness in others, consisting as its members do of noblemen and gentlemen of high character and reputation, physicians of eminence in their profession, and men of intelligence and sagacity in their various walks of life, amongst whom are several of our most distinguished nurserymen and botanists, a mass of intelligence and sagacity is brought to the aid of the medical profession, which cannot fail to support its dignity, whilst it will screen its character as well from the assuming pretender as the ignorant empiric.

At the second meeting, a highly interesting paper was read by Dr. Hancock on the medicinal and dietetic properties of the honey obtained by Mr. Nutt's improved system of bee-management. The remarks of this intelligent veteran in the cause of science, distinguished for his general attainments, as well as his active interest in all the objects of inquiry and investigation in South America during the last twenty-five years, gave much satisfaction to all present. Dr. Hancock observed that, owing to the want of knowledge on the subject of bee-management, and the consequent impurities, the use of honey as an article of dietetic and medical economy had been nearly abandoned, and for these reasons it had even been expunged from the "Edinburgh Pharmacopeia." Pure honey was justly considered by the ancients to possess the most valuable balsamic and pectoral properties,—as a lenitive, ecopotric, and detergent, and is well known to dissolve viscid phlegm, and promote expectoration. In a dietetic and medicinal point of view it is also useful in calculous complaints, and as an outward application in foul sores, deep-seated sinuses and fistulous ulcers. The various impurities and extraneous matters usually contained in honey caused it, however, in most cases, to be productive of griping pains or uneasy sensations in the stomach and bowels. The superiority in the quality both of the honey and wax prepared by Mr. Nutt's method, appears to be owing as well to its entire freedom from extraneous or excrementitious animal or vegetable matters,—such as the eggs, larvæ, young brood, and pollen, as to the low degree of temperature at which it is secreted, and which is not sufficient to produce any chemical changes in the constitution of these substances; whereas, under the old system, the continued high temperature of the hive is sufficient to induce changes which impart the colour, and otherwise deteriorate the quality of these products. As, however, Mr, Nutt's honey was wholly destitute of these impurities, we have reason to hope that its use will again be restored in a condition vastly improved, and that at a great reduction in price, the facilities of production being greatly enhanced by his system.

MARYLEBONE LITERARY INSTITUTION.

Mr. Atherstone has delivered a lecture at this institution, "on the Importance of the Study of Elocution." He first adverted to the advantages which the possession of this art furnished to persons in the habit of appearing before the public as orators, more particularly when the aspect of the present times indicated that the influence of mere wealth was becoming subservient to the power of intellect. The orator, it was observed, was superior to the writer, in the capability of producing direct and strong impressions on those around him; while this effect, through the agency of that wonderful instrument the press, could be diffused even among distant nations far removed from the sphere of the original impulse. As an accomplishment, too, it would be found fully equal to many of those usually taught as necessary parts of education; for the art of reading well, if more generally studied, would be found to afford far more gratification than cards or mere profitless conversation. The qualifications for becoming an orator, of course, included natural talent; but even this, without due cultivation, would fail in placing the possessor at a high elevation in the art, though without it commanding eminence could hardly be expected. The illustrations selected were a passage from the defence of St. Paul when arraigned before Agrippa; the verses descriptive of the Battle of Waterloo, from Lord

Byron's "Childe Harold;" and the commencing verses of the " Lay of the Last Minstrel." The lecture was distinguished for beauty of expression and imagery, not less than for the propriety of its arguments; and was listened to with marked approbation.

After the conclusion the president addressed the meeting with reference to a subscription which had been entered into, a few evenings before, by the members, for the purpose of obtaining more suitable premises. On that occasion upwards of 250l. were subscribed, and many donations for the same object had been since received; nearly eighty new members, it was also stated, had joined the institution since the commencement of the present quarter; and the necessity for increased accommodation became therefore every day more apparent.

VARIETIES.

The Arctic Land Expedition.-The last letter received from Captain Back left him at Norway House, on the Jack River, near Lake Winnepeg, which is situate 53 degrees North lat. and 98 West long. Here he proposed leaving his heavy boats and the greatest part of his stores, and taking with him light canoes to cross the rivers to proceed with his small party to the Great Slave Lake, which is in the 62d degree North lat. and the 112th West long. Hence inclining rather eastward, he would make for the Chesadawd Lake, situate 634 degrees North lat. and 107 West long. He would then have travelled 3,000 miles from Montreal, and all beyond him would be unexplored country. According to the Indians a river runs from this lake in a north-easterly direction, which they call "Thov-e-oho," signifying the Great Fish River. They describe its banks as abounding with game. Captain Back's purpose was either to fix his winter quarters at Lake Chesadawd, or at as far a distance down this supposed river as circumstances and the state of the season would permit. Having fixed his location, directions would be sent to Lake Winnepeg, through a line of communication which he would establish with the agents of the Hudson's Bay Company as he advanced, directing the heavy boats and winter stores to be forwarded to him. The same mode of communication, it is confidently believed, will insure the messenger who will have to convey the despatches sent out since Captain Ross's most providential return, the easy means of reaching Captain Back before he breaks up his winter quarters. These despatches, after acquainting Captain Back with the safe arrival of Captain Ross and crew, and of the discoveries made by Captain and Commander Ross, direct him to proceed to Cape Turnagain, which lies north-west of the Chesadawd Lake, and is so named from being the extreme northern point reached by Captain Franklin. Thence he is directed to proceed to the obelisk of stones erected by Commander Ross to mark the south-west limit of the neck of land which he partially explored. This obelisk is situate in 69 deg. 37 min. North lat. and 90 deg. 40 min. West long., and is supposed to be distant only 150 miles from Cape Turnagain. It is thought that, starting westerly from this obelisk, it will be highly desirable that Captain Back should complete the survey of the south west-coast of this land, and also, if the season will admit of it, the north-west coast, which was traced by Commander Ross only for a distance of ninety miles from the isthmus. If, from the discoveries he will have made, it should be more eligible, Captain Back is instructed to proceed direct from his present quarters to the obelisk. Doubts exist in the minds of some of the Arctic Land Committee as to the existence of the Great Fish River, which, if the Indian account be correct, runs from the Chesadawd Lake in a north-east direction. Mr. Simpson, one of the Governors of the Hudson's Bay Company, is of opinion that it is identical with the river discovered by Captain

Franklin, and named by him Back's River, which runs rather to the west of north from the lake. On the other hand, there are several of the Committee, whose confidence in the correctness of the Indian account is strengthened from the remarkable manner in which their accuracy on another geographical point has been proved by Captain Ross's recent discoveries. In their interviews with the agents of the Hudson's Bay Company they always have declared, after their manner, by standing with their faces due north, and stretching out their right hand in an easterly direction, that the land farther north spreads out in that direction-a fact now placed beyond doubt by Captain Ross. Accompanying the despatches sent out are maps descriptive of the extent to which Captain Ross has, during his tedious residence in these inclement regions, been able to trace their boundaries. It is confidently hoped by the Committee that the liberality of the public will insure the supply of the necessary funds to enable Captain Back to prosecute his task of exploration for a third season, in the course of which, it is believed, he would be able to complete the survey of the north-east coast of America up to the southern point, where Captain Ross's discoveries terminate.

Improved Raw Sugar.-About twelve months since was announced in the "New Monthly Magazine" the highly important results of trials, then in operation in Demerara, to obtain pure raw sugar direct from the cane juice. This was effected by the introduction of the process of evaporation in vacuo, the plan first proposed by the late Hon. Edward Charles Howard, and brought into very general adoption in the refineries at home. The success of this operation in obtaining pure raw sugar direct from the cane juice, and free from the extensive loss by molasses and deterioration by colouring matter, the consequences of the great heat employed in the ordinary process, and in the superior quality of the products, gained for the subject an attention which would probably before now have led to its very general and more extended introduction were it not for the impositions of the government at home, which, for the false policy of the protection of the refining interests, have imposed upon the sugar thus prepared the prohibitory duty of 81. 88. per cwt.

Whether a policy that thus sacrifices the growing hopes and interests of the colonies, so opposed to the just views of promoting the progress of scientific developement, and the encouragement of sound philosophical and practical views in manufacturing industry, and such as should distinguish the liberal government of an intelligent manufacturing community,-shall be persevered in, is a question now eagerly demanded, not alone by those who are concerned in the welfare of the colonies, but who are interested in the free and unrestricted issue of those trains of improvement which have gained for Great Britain its present proud supremacy. The necessary effect of such an impost is to perpetuate an expensive, incomplete, and unphilosophi cal system of manufacture, to the exclusion of an improved process which ensures the complete success of the operation, at once founded upon scientific principles and adapted to ensure profit to the colonial planters and encouragement to British commerce. By the old process, from the great heat employed in the evaporation of the cane juice, a great portion is necessarily converted into molasses; whilst the whole of the sugar is still further deteriorated by its mixture with a portion which will not crystallize, -molasses and colouring matter, and by this a very inadequate return is obtained for a most expensive outlay; whereas, by the improved process, the cane juice is submitted to a simple analytic operation, by which sugar of the best quality is obtained, and in the same quantity as it exists in the sugar cane, as, from the modified heat which is employed, the results of the operation are the mere educts of the cane, without having undergone the changes consequent upon its destructive distillation by the former process. This new operation also requires a far less portion of labour to