52 REFERENCES MENTIONED IN THE PREFACE. M. FARADAY, Esq.-Improbability of contact exciting force. Experimental Researches, Series 17, Sec. 2071. J. P. JOULE, Esq.-On the Calorific effects of Magneto-Electricity and on the Mechanical value of heat, Philosophical Magazine, October, 1840. 1843. In the original Lectures I alluded very cursorily to gravitation and Inertia, I have therefore abstained from noticing these forces in the text-Inertia appears to me to be a static condition of the force of gravitation, or in other words resistance to motion occasioned by the force of gravitation—without gravitation I cannot conceive Inertia. Whether this be so or not, as the phenomenal effects of gravitation and Inertia, are, motion and resistance to motion, I have, in considering motion, necessarily included their relations to the other forces. For the identity of gravitation with other modes of attractive force, see Mosotti. Scientific Memoirs, 1837, Vol. 1, Page 448. See also Franklin on Inertia. Miscellaneous Pieces, 1779, Page 479. CHARLES SKIPPER AND EAST, ST. DUNSTAN'S HILL, LONDON. LECTURE ON The Progress of Physical Science SINCE THE OPENING OF THE LONDON INSTITUTION. By W. R. GROVE, Esq. M.A., F.R.S. PROFESSOR OF EXPERIMENTAL PHILOSOPHY IN THE LONDON INSTITUTION. DELIVERED ON WEDNESDAY, THE 19TH OF JANUARY, 1842. PRINTED BY ORDER OF THE MANAGERS OF THE LONDON INSTITUTION, AT THE REQUEST OF THE PROPRIETORS. M.DCCC.XL.II. [NOT PUBLISHED.] PREFACE. AMONG the Resolutions of the Committee of Management of The London Institution, there is one which requires the Professor of Experimental Philosophy to deliver annually, at the first Soirée for the season, a Lecture on the most remarkable Discoveries in Science during the past year. As last year was the first of my appointment, it was deemed advisable that I should give a resumé, not only of the discoveries made during that year, but of those with which Science had been enriched since the Opening of the Institution. Although any attempt at perspicuous condensation of such a body of matter into a single Lecture, must be deemed futile,-yet it is hoped that the following pages may not altogether disappoint the Proprietors of the Institution, but may serve as an index to those researches which are most worthy attention: more fully to effectuate this object, a list of the original memoirs is appended, where the various discoveries will be found as enounced in the words of their respective authors. As the Lecture was delivered extempore, I cannot vouch for exact identity of expression in this copy, it having been indited only from memory. I believe, however, that the phraseology will be found to differ no more, than is necessary for the adaptation of oral, A 2 to documentary style: perhaps, indeed, it is not sufficiently adapted to the latter; but it appeared to me most in unison with the wishes of the Proprietors, to recal to their minds a Lecture, which at the time of its delivery was explained by illustrations. I felt moreover that I had no right, in preparing for the press at their request a Lecture which they had heard, to compile an Essay which they had not heard. Sincerely thanking them for the kind attention and support which I have on this and on all other occasions received at their hands, I take leave to DEDICATE TO THE PROPRIETORS OF THE LONDON INSTITUTION THIS BRIEF NOTICE OF THE RECENT PROGRESS OF SCIENCE. |