held forth in the school of Lincoln's-innfields. Mr Locke not only allowed that the soul was immortal, but it was the object of every part of his book to establish its immortality. Mr Wetherell then referred to Dr Butler's analogy, which Mr Shadwell had quoted; and said, that so far from supporting his argument, he had contended that, putting religion out of the question, the strong preponderance of human reasoning was in favour of the soul's immortality; and that, neither from the reason of the thing, nor the analogy of nature, could a conclusion be drawn that the soul was annihilated by death. He belonged to a class of writers who far excelled those of our modern school, and drew very different inferences from them. For this eminent writer says that it is not even clear that immateriality does not exist in all animals. Dr Paley's name had also been dragged in, in support of this doctrine, which gave him (Mr Wetherell) considerable surprise; for in his concluding chapter he tells us not to bind ourselves by the analogy of nature; for in every object of nature there seems to be something ultra the ordinary powers and functions of nature itself as it appears to us. But, taking the hypothesis one way or the other, all those great writers reserve the doctrine of revelation, except our modern sciolists, who would engross the garden of science, with all its flowers and walks, and parterres, to themselves. He (Mr Wetherell) expressed his regret at being obliged to make these observations; but unless this school of infidelity was put down, the effect upon society would be most injurious. The Lord Chancellor said that this case had been argued at the bar with great learning and with great ability. He would explain in a few words the principles on which his decision should be founded. On the observations which had been made upon the College of Surgeons as the place in which these lec tures had been read, he would not touch; he would only treat the plaintiff as the author of the work. This case had been introduced by a bill filed by Mr Lawrence, in which he stated that he was the author of this book, which the defendant had also published; and that he was entitled to the protection of this Court, in the preservation of the profits resulting from its publication. Undoubtedly the jurisdiction of this Court was founded on this principle, that where the law will not afford a complete remedy to literary property when invaded, this Court will lend its assistance; because, where every publication is a distinct cause of action, and when several parties might publish the book, if a man were obliged to bring an action on each occasion, the remedy would be worse than the disease. But then this Court will only interfere where he can by law sustain an action for damages equal to the injury he has sustained. He might then come here to make his legal remedy more effectual. But if the case be one which it is not clear will sustain an action at law, then this Court will not give him the relief he seeks. The present case had been opened as an ordinary case of piracy, and he took it that nothing was then said by Mr Wilbraham as to the general tenor of the work, or of particular passages in it. He (the Lord Chancel lor) was bound to look, not only at its general tenor, but also at particular passages unconnected with its general tenor; for if there were any parts of it which denied the truth of Scripture, or which furnished a doubt as to whether a court of law would not decide that they had denied the truth of Scripture, he was bound to look at them, and decide accordingly. There was a peculiar circumstance attending this case, which was, that the defendant possessed no right to the work, but said to the plaintiff, "This book is so criminal in its nature as to deprive you of all pro tection at law against others and myself, and I will therefore publish it." Now he (the Lord Chancellor) knew it to be said, that in cases where the work contained criminal matter, the refusing the injunction allowed the greater latitude for its dissemination. But his answer to that was, that this Court possessed no criminal jurisdiction. It could only look at the civil rights of the parties; and therefore, whether a different proceeding were hereafter instituted against the defendant, or the plaintiff, or both, was a circumstance with which he had nothing to do. The only question for him to determine was, whether it was so clear that the plaintiff possessed a civil right in this publication, as to leave no doubt upon his (the Lord Chancellor's) mind that it would support an action in a court of law. Now his Lordship had read the whole of this book with attention, and it certainly did raise such a doubt in his mind. It might probably be expected, that after the able and learned argument which had gone forth to the world upon a subject so materially affecting the happiness of mankind, he should state his answer to that argument; but if he left these parties to a court of law-and he should leave them to a court of law his opinion might have the effect of prejudicing the question to be there determined. All he would say, therefore, was, that entertaining a rational doubt upon some parts of the work, as to their being directed against the truth of Scripture, he would not continue this injunction; but the plaintiff might apply for another after he had cleared away that doubt in a court of law. Further than this, his Lordship would not interfere.-Injunction dissolved. No. II. PROCEEDINGS OF SOCIETIES. ROYAL SOCIETY OF LONDON. THE meetings of this society were resumed on Thursday the 8th of November, after the usual vacation. At this, and the succeeding meeting, the Croonian Lecture was read by Sir Everard Home, and contained an account of the means by which the eye adjusts itself to the distinct vision of near and remote objects. Friday, November 30, being St Andrew's day, the society held their anniversary meeting, at which the President, Sir H. Davy, announced the allotment of two Copley medals to J. F. Herschell, Esq., and Captain Edward Sabine, in a very appropriate and impressive discourse. The progress of discovery, Sir H. observed, even when belonging to past times, or distant countries, is always an agreeable subject of contemplation to philosophical men; but the pleasure derived from it is much higher when it arises from the exertion of the talents of our countrymen, and when there is the power, not only of acknowledging and rejoicing at it, but likewise of distinguishing the persons to whom it is owing, by a permanent mark of respect: he, therefore, had much satisfaction in announcing the decision of the Council of the society upon the present occasion. He then took a review of the labours of Mr Herschell, more particularly of those which were considered as entitling him to the present mark of distinction; and observed that there was no branch of science more calculated to awaken our admiration, than that which Mr Herschell had so successfully cultivated. The sublime or transcendental geometry not only demonstrated the powers and resources of the human intellect, but also the wisdom and beauty of the laws which govern the universe. It is perhaps the highest triumph of human intelligence, that proceeding from the consideration of mere unities, or points, lines, and surfaces, it should, by gradual generalizations, substitutions, and abstractions, be able to arrive, not only at the knowledge of all possible conditions of number and quantity, but likewise of time and motion; and by employing its own pure intellectual creations, in many cases, anticipate the results of observation and experiment, and determine the movements, not only of the bodies which form permanent parts of our system, but likewise of those which seem only occasionally to visit it, and which belong as it were to the immensity of space. Sir H. then paid an eloquent tribute to the zeal and success with which Mr Her schell had pursued these inquiries, and proceeded to enumerate his mathematical communications to the society, printed in their Transactions. He should not, he said, attempt an analysis of these papers, for they required profound study; but they were especially distinguished by the simplicity of the processes, by perspicuity of arrangement, and by the absence of all metaphysical abstractions; and they proved in the author an intimate acquaintance with the works of the great masters of analysis. He had not, however, confined himself to formulæ, but had a higher claim upon the approbation of the society in their application; for though, as a mere exercise, the higher mathematics strengthen the reasoning faculties, and afford intellectual pleasure, yet it is in enabling us to solve the physical phenomena of the universe that they have their grandest end and use. In these respects, said Sir H., they are really power, and may be compared to that power which we witness in the vapour of water, which passing into the free atmosphere, exhibits only a striking spectacle, but which applied in the steam-engine becomes the moving principle of the most useful and extensive machinery, and the source of the most important arts of life. -Sir H. then adverted more particularly to Mr Herschell's investigations connected with the polarisation of light, and to the importance in practical optics of his paper on the aberration of compound lenses and object glasses; and having stated to the society the leading features of these communications, said that he felt convinced they could not but approve of the decision of the Council upon the grounds he had already mentioned, without his expatiaing further on the diligence and merits of the author. In addressing Mr Herschell personally, Sir H. alluded to several subjects of inquiry which he recommended to Mr Herschell's attention, particularly the connection be tween the mechanical and chemical phenomena, and different curious and important objects of research in electricity, magnetism, heat, and the relations of the crystallized forms to the weights of the elements of bodies; and he trusted Mr H. would receive the medal not merely as a mark of respect for acquirements already made, but as a pledge of future exertions in the cause of science. "Believe me," said the President, in concluding his address," you can communicate your labours to no public body by whom they will be better received than by the Royal Society, or through whose records they will be more honourably transmitted to the scientific world. And these pursuits you will find not only glorious, but dignified, useful, and gratifying in every period of life. This, indeed, you must know best in the example of your illustrious father, who, full of years and of honours, must view your exertions with infinite pleasure, and who, in the hopes that his own imperishable name will be permanently connected in the annals of science with yours, must look forward to a double immortality." In speaking of the researches of Captain Sabine, the President eulogized his industry and perseverance in conducting his inquiries in the Arctic Expedition, and his fortitude and patience in enduring the hardships to which he was then exposed. His experiments, Sir H. said, had been principally conducted on the ice of the polar sea, where the vessel was for several months frozen up. During a considerable portion of the time he was in darkness, or only guided by a very doubtful twilight, and the temperature was such that the artificial horizon of mercury became frozen during an observation; yet his inquiries appear to have been conducted with as much care and precision as if he had been possessed of the conveniences and luxuries of a Royal Observatory, and the advantages of the happiest climate and situation. Sir H. then entered into some historical details respecting the researches connected with the length of the seconds' pendulum in different latitudes, and its application to determine the figure of the earth. The true investigation of the properties of the pendulum, as an universal standard of measure, was owing, he said, to the zeal and enlightened views of Mr Davies Gilbert, who had directed all the scientific talents and resources of the country to that object, by making it a question of national importance in Parliament; and the fortunate result had been the invariable pendulum, contrived with such a happy spirit of invention, and examined with such unceasing activity and minute accuracy by Captain Kater. "Captain Sabine did not accompany the Arctic Expedition, now absent, because," said the President, "he conceived that he had effected all he was capable of performing with the pendulum in northern latitudes, which was the great object of his researches in the two former voyages; but his scientific ardour had induced him to endeavour to complete his investigations, even to the line; and having braved the long night and perpetual winter of the polar regions, he was now gone with the same laudable object to expose himself to the burning sun and constant summer of the equator." In Captain Sabine's absence the President delivered the medal to his brother. "In informing him," said Sir H." of what has taken place this day, you will, I trust, state to him our deep sense of his merits; his knowledge of this expression of our opinion may, perhaps, animate him during the difficult enterprise he has undertaken, for he has already shewn how highly he values the praise of the Royal Society, which, with the good opinion of his countrymen, has been hitherto the only reward of his labours. Assure him how strongly we feel his disinterestedness and genuine love of science, and that our ardent wishes are expressed for his safe return, and for the successful accomplishment of the objects of his voyage, which will ensure to him additional claims upon the gratitude of all true lovers of science." The society then proceeded to the election of a council and officers for the ensuing year. December 6. A paper was com municated by the society for the improvement of animal chemistry, entitled, "On some Alvine Concretions found in the Colon of a Young Man in Lancashire after death, by J. G. Children, Esq. F. R. S. From the statements contained in this communication, it appears that the young man, whose case it relates, had eaten at various times a large quantity of plums, and generally swallowed the stones. After some time a hard circumscribed tumour was discovered on one side of the abdomen, and was distinctly felt to be an alvine concretion. The usual remedies for removing it were applied in vain; and after having been attended for about three months by a medical man, the patient died. On opening the body three closely compacted concretions were found, rather high upon the left side, and a fourth considerably lower. This last was sawn asunder by the medical gentleman who opened the body, and was found to contain a plumstone in the centre. The total weight of the concretions in the state in which Mr Children received them was about 4.75 ounces, the largest weighing 1036 grains, the smallest about 511 grains. The specific gravity of the largest was about 1.875. 3.9 By analysis, 100 parts yielded ani- 45.34 20.3 99.9 The vegetable fibre appeared to be. |