applications of steam and electricity, to railways, steam shipping, telegraphy, the penny post, the increase in the rate of production. These were shared by other nations. The class which is benefited by our strange fiscal policy is the foreign producer, who, supported by his own strong home market, competes with English manufacturers in their own markets on unfair and unequal terms. Surely he should be made to pay something to enable us to educate our own people to meet him on fair and equal terms. Our technical institutions are languishing for the want of financial support. I have only to-day taken part in a begging function to solicit support for the very college-King's College-in which I was myself educated. Such an appeal as was made to-day would be instantly responded to by some patriotic millionaire in America. Five per cent. ad valorem duty on foreign manufactured goods would place technical and scientific education in this country on a solid basis. Lord Playfair said in 1891, when speaking of the McKinley Act in the United States: If the Americans be right in principle, and if they be successful in practice, the whole policy of the United Kingdom is founded on a gigantic error, and must lead to our ruin as a commercial nation." The average Englishman thinks that the error is at home, and that, unless we wake up and "pay the piper," Lord Playfair's fear will be realised. I scarcely hope to believe that I have in this address established my position that there is a definite science in business, and that I have indicated the laws of this science. I have, however, shown that diagrams, properly maintained and studied, teach absolute facts, and it is the observation of these facts, and the deduction of laws from them, that form a basis of science in manufactures, commerce, business, and even government itself, which, if true and followed, will retrieve our commercial preeminence. After delivering the Address the Chairman presented the Society's medals which were awarded for papers read during last Session. For papers at the Ordinary Meetings: To J. GORDON PARKER, Ph.D., for his paper on "Leather for Bookbinding." To HERBERT STONE, for his paper on "The Identification of Wood, and its Application to Scientific and Commercial Purposes." TO PROF. GEORGE FORBES, F.R.S., for his paper on "Range Finders." To J. CLIFTON ROBINSON, Assoc. Inst.C.E., M.I.E.E., for his paper on "Electric Traction : London's Tubes, Trams and Trains." TO MAJOR-GENERAL SIR JOHN F. CREASE, K.C.B., for his paper on "Ceuta and Gibraltar." TO EDWARD T. SCAMMELL, for his paper on "The Timber Resources of the Australian Commonwealth." To H. WARINGTON SMYTH, for his paper on "Boats and Boat Building in the Malay Peninsula.” In the Indian Section : TO PROFESSOR WYNDHAM R. DUNSTAN, F.R.S., for his paper on " The Coal Resources of India." TO THOMAS WILLIAM HOLDERNESS, C.S.I., for his paper on "The Indian Famine of 1899, and the Measures Taken to Meet it." TO THOMAS JEWELL BENNETT, for his paper on "The Past and Present Connection of England with the Persian Gulf." In the Colonial Section : TO COMMANDER B. WHITEHOUSE, R.N., for his paper "To the Victoria Nyanza by the Uganda Railway." To W. T. PRESTON, for his paper on French-Canadian Relationship to the Crown." In the Applied Art Section : TO HALSEY RICARDO, for his paper on Architect's Use of Enamelled Tiles." "The "The The Chairman then presented the Society's gold medal, awarded under the Shaw Trust for Industrial Hygiene :— To MR. JAMES TONGE, Junr., of Westhoughton, Lancashire, for his Hydraulic Mining Cartridge-an appliance for breaking down coal in mines without the use of explosives. Sir OWEN ROBERTS, in proposing a cordial vote of thanks to the Chairman for his valuable and most interesting address, said that while he thought there were scientific methods in business, he doubted whether there was an actual science of business. He most thoroughly agreed with what Sir William Preece had said as to the necessity of academical education in England taking cognisance of commerce The New University of Birmingham had begun on the right lines, and the University of London had taken the same course, recognising a faculty of commerce and industry. There were also in London some admirable institutions at which scientific methods in business could be learned. The London School of Economics, lately erected in Clare Market, was an institution which need not fear comparison with any school of commerce in the world. The City of London College had valuable evening classes in commerce, and a large annex was now being built to the college for the establishment of a day class for the study of scientific methods in business. Those two institutions, coupled with the various classes held in almost all the polytechnics, and the admirable commercial examinations of the Society, left no excuse for the young students of business in London not learning all that could be known of the scientific methods of business. He had not been converted to some of the Chairman's free trade theories. The instance so interestingly quoted of the United States was not, he thought, a case in point. If England was a vast continent with 80,000,000 of people, with all sorts of climate and home industries, it might be a protectionist country too, but such conditions did not obtain. Sir WALTER PEACE, K.C.M.G., in seconding the motion, said that after 50 years of active trading life he considered free trade, to be the greatest superstition that ever befooled a people. Under the term of free trade because free trade had never existed and never would-England had throttled the greatest industry of the country-agriculture, nd made the people dependent for their food entirely on foreigners. He thought the Chairman in his reference to the prosperity which followed the introduction of free trade had omitted the most important factor of all, the limited liability principle, which, by the aid of the printing press, had increased a hundred fold the actual potential wealth of the country. As an instance of this it would be remembered that American securities depreciated in value 200 millions sterling after the receipt of Senator Blaine's despatch to the Marquis of Salisbury on the Venezuelan question; but the loss was simply on paper, not in cash. He hoped the subject of trade and the fiscal policy of the country would be brought up for discussion at a future meeting of the Society. The resolution having been carried unanimously, The CHAIRMAN, in reply, thanked the members for the cordiality with which the resolution had been passed. Sir Owen Roberts had not quite appreciated his term of science as applied to business, thinking that he (the Chairman) should have used the term scientific methods for business. His idea of science was that propounded by Thomas Huxley, who said that science was systematised or organised common-sense. If organised common-sense was not the basis of business, what was? And as organised common-sense science, science was the basis of business. had been pleased to hear there were so many commercial schools in existence, and would have mentioned the fact in his address if he had been previously aware of it. The formation of such schools should be urged everywhere, but was He money must be forthcoming to accomplish the object. He had not advocated protection. His idea of a tax on foreign manufactures was no more protection than the recently imposed tax on corn; the price of bread had not been raised. A five per cent. ad valorem duty on those goods which were flooding the markets of the country, would produce 4 millions per annum of the out pockets of the foreign producer, and on that sum it would be possible to raise 150 millions, which could be devoted to the erection and equipment of technical institutes all over the country. It was not a political matter at all; it was a pure business matter, and Lord Rosebery had stated that the British Government should be run on business principles. Miscellaneous. JAPANESE SHIPBUILDING. For years the policy of Japan has been directed with the view of building up a strong navy and merchant marine. Her position in the East is, in many respects, analogous to Great Britain in the West, and according to the United States ConsulGeneral at Yokohama, her aspirations and opportunities both point to the sea as furnishing her best defence in case of war, and a profitable vocation for her sons in time of peace. With this object the Government is planning regular and systematic additions to the strength of the navy, and is seeking the best means for the encouragement of shipbuilding. High ship subsidies have long been paid, and any plan which promises to promote the establishment of iron manufacturing plant, and other industries necessary to shipbuilding, receives careful consideration. In 1892, about one-thirteenth of the exports, and one-eighth of the imports of Japan, were carried in Japanese vessels; in 1901, its shipping had increased so much that three-eighths of the exports, and one-third of the imports, or a tonnage considerably in excess of the total imports and exports of 1892, were conveyed in native vessels. The tonnage of Japanese merchant steamers entering Japanese ports in 1901 amounted to 3,861,659 tons, and this was surpassed only by the British ships, with a tonnage of 4,080,583 tons. Germany and Russia both exceed the United States, from which country 175 ships, with a tonnage of 404,724 tons, entered Japanese ports. One of the largest steamship companies in Japan is the Nippon Yusen Kaisha (Japan Steam Mail Company), which has lines of boats making regular trips to ports in Europe, America, Australia, British India, China, and Korea. At a recent general meeting of the company it was proposed to assist in the establishment of a new route by the Hunan Company of China, the object being to secure feeders for the steamers at the Shanghai terminus. While striving to build up their shipping, the Japanese are not unmindful of the necessity for good harbours. Yokohama is the most northerly port in the empire, and Yedo Bay, on which it is situated, forms an ideal natural harbour, much resembling San Francisco Bay in its narrow mouth and wide expanse. A substantial breakwater renders still more secure the upper part of the bay, which is being continually improved by dredging and the extension of dock facilities. A dock is also being built at Hakodate, on Tsugaru Strait, which is between the principal island and the northern one. It is expected that this will be completed within the year, and Hakodate will probably become a naval repair station for Japanese men-of-war and such foreign vessels as may desire to come in. During the past three years, the number of vessels passing through the Tsugaru Strait has more than trebled, some boats which travelled by the Inland Sea, and coaled at Nagasaki or Moji, having latterly preferred to take the northern route and coal at Mororan. Those who favour this route claim that the current here is more favourable, that there is less danger of encountering stormy weather, and that the voyage is shortened. Correspondence. BRAZILIAN CARBONS. I have perused, with much interest, the article in your Journal of the 14th November, re Brazilian diamonds and carbons. Regarding the largest carbon ever found, it was not broken up in Paris, I broke it up here myself. The exact weight was 3,078 carats. I bought the stone on the 24th September, 1895, for £6,464, broke it up in pieces suitable for use in diamond drills, and resold the whole at ten per cent. profit. Had I the stone now it would be worth £26,163. The present price of carbon at the mines for good carbons one carat and upwards is £8 10s. to £9 per carat, not £5. heating and stirring are necessary. After the mass has swollen, it is mixed with 7.5 parts of alcohol, and stirring is continued. The resulting product is poured into moulds, or after further dilution may Consul-General be spread in thin layers on glass. Hughes, of Coburg, is of opinion that "as an sensitive the underlay for photographic films, material has important advantages, not the least being that it remains flat in developing." MEETINGS FOR THE ENSUING WEEK. MONDAY, Nov. 24...SOCIETY OF ARTS, John-street, Adelphi, W.C., 8 p.m. (Cantor Lectures.) Prof. Vivian B. Lewis, "The Future of Coal Gas and Allied Illuminants." East India Association, Westminster Palace Hotel, 4 p.m. Mr. R. H. Elliot, "The Economical Effects of Recent Indian Currency Legislation." Scottish Society of Arts, 117, George-street, Edinburgh, 8 p.m. Chemical Industry (London Section), Burlington- Imperial Institute, South Kensington, 84 p.m. Geographical, University of London, Burlington- Actuaries, Staples-inn Hall, Holborn, E.C., sp.m. Mrs. Le Blond, "Mountaineering from a Woman's Medical, 11, Chandos-street, W., 8 p.m. London Institution, Finsbury-circus, E.C., 5 p.m. Dr. A. Smith Woodward, "Some Newly Discovered Extinct Animals." TUESDAY, Nov. 25...Medical and Chirurgical, 20, Hanoversquare, W., 8 p.m. Civil Engineers, 25, Great George-street, S.W., 8 Photographic, 66, Russell-square, W.C., 8 p.m. Anthropological, 3, Hanover-square, W., 83 p.m. WEDNESDAY, Nov. 26...SOCIETY OF ARTS, John street, Adelphi. W.C., 8 p.m., Dr. Gustave Goegg. "Le Tunnel du Simplon, et la Nouvelle Ligne de Chemin de Fer Directe Anglo-Italienne pour l'Orient." (In French.) Royal Society of Literature, 20, Hanover-square, W., 8 p.m. British Astronomical, Sion College, Victoria- THURSDAY, Nov. 27...Royal, Burlington-house, W., 4} p.m. FRIDAY, NOV. 28... United Service Institute, Whitehall-yard, Clinical, 20, Hanover-square, W., 8 p.m. JUVENILE LECTURES. The usual short course of lectures adapted for a juvenile audience will be delivered on Wednesday afternoons, December 31st and January 7th, at 5 o'clock, by Professor EDWARD B. POULTON, M.A., D.Sc., F.R.S. (Hope Professor of Zoology in the University of Oxford), on the "Means of Defence in the Struggle for Life among Animals.” LECTURE I.-"The Methods by which Animals hide in order to escape their Enemies and catch their Prey." LECTURE II. "The Ways in which Animals warn their Enemies and signal to their Friends." Members who desire tickets for the course are requested to apply for them at once. Each member is entitled to a ticket admitting two children and an adult. A sufficient number of tickets to fill the room will be issued to members in the order in which applications are received. Proceedings of the Society. SIR SECOND ORDINARY MEETING. Wednesday, November 26, 1902; WILLIAM HENRY PREECE, K.C.B., F.R.S., Chairman of the Council, in the chair. The following candidates were proposed for election as members of the Society : Aitken, Thomas, Esq., Assoc.M. Inst. C.E., Surveyor's Office, County-buildings, Cupar, Fife, Scotland. Baker, George Samuel, "Frontenac," Donningt ›n-, road, Willesden, N.W. Barber, René R., Messrs. William Barber and Bros. Georgetown, Ontario, Canada. Cole, Charles Henry, Assoc.M.Inst.C.E., H.M. Dockyard, Malta. Connett, Albert Newmann, M.Am. Soc.C.E., Tyndale-lodge, Bromley, Kent. Eborall, Alfred Cecil, M.I.E.E., 115, Tulse-hill, S.W. Foot, Herbert, B.A., F.I.A., 13, Marlboroughplace, St. John's-wood, N. W. Hardcastle, Edward, Rose cottage, New-road side, Horsforth, near Leeds. Hardy, William Eversley, St. Oswald, Alexandraroad, Norwood. Northcott, James, 12, Herne-hill, S.E. Pearson, Captain James Bruce, care of Managing Agents, British India Steam Navigation Co., Ltd., Calcutta. Simpson, Percy, "Ocean Wave," St. Ives, Cornwall. The paper read was LE TUNNEL DU SIMPLON, ET LA NOUVELLE LIGNE DE CHEMIN DE FER DIRECTE ANGLO-ITALIENNE POUR L'ORIENT. PAR LE DR. GUSTAVE Goegg, Docteur-es-Sciences, Professeur à l'Ecole Supérieure de Commerce de Genève. J'éprouve un vif regret de ne pouvoir m'exprimer assez correctement dans votre langue, pourtant si fertile et si simple à la fois. Heureux j'aurais été de rendre ainsi un hommage mérité à un pays auquel tous mes compatriotes, comme moi-même, vouent un sincère et profond respect. L'Angleterre et Genève ont eu depuis des siècles des points de contact nombreux dans presque tous les domaines, aussi bien dans le domaine religieux que dans celui des sciences, des arts, et de la philosophie. Il y a deux mois à peine, Genève applaudissait avec enthousiasme Sir W. Ramsay votre grand chimiste. Avec son autorité pleine de simplicité imposant le respect et la sympathie, votre savant à l'esprit si distingué, a conduit ses auditeurs dans le for intérieur de ses méditations, émervéillés qu'ils étaient de suivre ce chercheur infatigable au travers des mille difficultés que ses recherches devaient Genève conserve du reste une dette de reconnaissance envers plusieurs de vos grands génies, car poétisée par eux, elle a été ainsi appelée à être une source d'attraction pour vos compatriotes. rencontrer. George Eliot en effet a dit : "I am in an atmosphere of love and refinement, I am quite satisfied to be at Geneva instead of Paris; in fact, I am becoming passionately attached to the mountains, the lake, the streets, my room, and above all, the dear people with whom I live." John Ruskin écrivait en 1886: "I am more thankful every year of added life, that I was born in London, near enough to Geneva for me to reach it easily. The Genevese are pure, learned to a man, to a woman, to a boy, to a girl, progressing to and fro, mostly on their feet, and only where they have business. And this bird's nest of a place to be the centre of religious and social thought and physical beauty to all living Europe, that is to thinking and designing Europe, France, Germany, and Italy!" Lord Byron longtemps notre hôte dans sa résidence à Cologny près Genève a glorifié notre lac Léman : "Clear, placid Leman! thy contrasted lake To waft me from distraction. Once I lived That I with stern delights should ever have been so C'est ainsi que le peuple anglais, guidé par ses écrivains, et amateur de voyages, a été attiré par les ressources que lui offre la nature de notre pays. Des relations souvent étroites se sont cimentées de familles à familles, nos écoles furent fréquentées par votre jeunesse et peu à peu une large sympathie entre Genève et l'Angleterre en furent la conséquence. Le trait d'union se confirme encore ce soir, aussi tout naturellement suis-je porté a remercier le Comité de la Société des Arts de l'aimable accueil qu'il a bien voulu réserver à une importante question économique qui préoccupe en ce moment le continent européen et dont Genève est le berceau. I. LE SIMPLON. Dans trois années au plus tard, la grande barrière des Alpes sera percée d'une brèche nouvelle. Après le Mont Cenis, après le Brenner, après le St. Gothard, le Simplon lui aussi viendra bouleverser le système économique du continent, et apportera dans le commerce des nations sa part d'inconnues auxquelles il faudra se plier. Le passage du Simplon, historiquement moins célèbre que celui du Grand St. Bernard, est pourtant depuis des siècles déjà considéré comme de la plus haute importance. Il mène exactement de la Vallée du Rhône, d'où il se détache à Brigue, au Val d'Ossola et au Lac Majeur. Jadis, c'était un chemin de mulets côtoyant d'effroyables précipices à travers les gorges du Gondo pour gagner ensuite les plaines luxurieuses de la Lombardie. De gigantesques combats s'y livrèrent à la fin du 18e siècle entre les troupes françaises et autrichiennes; aussi Bonaparte, désireux d'avoir une belle route accessible à l'artillerie, qui menât en Italie, ordonna-t-il de construire la route actuelle. Elle fut terminée en cinq ans, coûta dix huit millions de francs et peut encore être classée de nos jours parmi les voies les plus belles qui soient au monde. C'est un ingénieur de Genève, M. Céard, qui conçut l'exécution technique de cette route. Depuis sa création, des grandes mallespostes y ont circulé deux fois par jour, dans chaque sens entre Brigue et Domo d'Ossola. Cette route devint si fréquentée en toutes saisons, le besoin de communications entre la Lombardie et la Vallée du Rhône s'affirmait à tel point, qu'il parut à des esprits clairvoyants qu'une nouvelle percée des Alpes devait se faire sur ce point. Par surcroît l'ouverture du canal maritime de Suez avait tellement modifié les conditions de transit entre l'Europe et l'extrême Orient, que chaque nation du continent européen sentait du plus haut intérêt, d'attirer sur son territoire, la plus grande part du mouvement commercial qui devait en résulter. |