vellous fidelity. We shall presently know more of these
asseverations. As yet, the entire process is concealed, and, as in
certain other instances, may never come to light.

* * * * *

THE LONDON SOCIETY OF ARTS.--In a paper by Mr. MURCHISON, read before
the London Society of Arts, we find an interesting account of the origin
and early history of that distinguished body. Efforts having been
perseveringly made for the establishment of an institution for the
promotion of the arts, sciences, and manufactures of the kingdom, the
Society of Arts was finally organized in London, in the year 1754, under
the auspices of Lord Rodney and other prominent persons. The success of
this organization was encouraging and signal. Subscriptions poured in
upon it, and a large number of members were soon enrolled. Premiums were
then established; the first being one of L30 for the discovery of pure
cobalt, and another of the same amount for the cultivation of madder.
The progress of the Society from that period to the present has been
uniformly encouraging, and it now ranks among the foremost scientific
institutions of the day.

* * * * *

An anecdote of the artist BARRY, some of whose best works adorn the
walls of the Society's Rooms, is related in connection with this
accompt. Barry being in distress, the sum of L1200 was subscribed by the
members for his relief, and with this amount it was determined to
procure for him a life annuity. The funds were so applied; the payment
of the annuity to Barry being confided to the father of the late Sir
Robert Peel. After the receipt of the first quarter of the first year,
however, the artist died. The balance of the purchase money was absorbed
in the coffers of Sir Robert.

* * * * *

GOLD.--M. FREMY, successor to Gay-Lussac in the chair of chemistry at
the Garden of Plants, Paris, has submitted to the French Academy the
results of his _Chemical Researches on Gold_. It was considered important
to these researches to study the combinations of the oxides of gold with
the alkalis so extensively employed in gilding. The aurates were easily
produced, but it was impossible to obtain the combination of alkalis and
the protoxide of gold. Auric acid was produced by boiling the perchlaide
of gold with excess of potash, precipitating the auric acid by sulphuric
acid, and purifying the former by solution in concent