The Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, MAT 9, 1877.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XII, Issue 108, 9 May 1877, Page 2

The Nelson Evening Mail. WEDNESDAY, MAT 9, 1877.

Mb. Severn's second lecture was delivered last night to a large, and to all appearances deeply interested audience, the subject being "Light and spectrum analysis." The ex* periments and illustrations were perfect of their kind, and largely assisted his audience in following him. The first was a method of illustrating the decomposition of light by the prism by means of ribbons, a white one representing a beam of light falling upon the prism, and various colored ones at different angles the effect produced by it. A beam of light was then thrown from the lime light through a prism, when a beautiful spectrum was produced on the screen. The beam was then "sifted," that is it wa3 first shown to be possessed of light and heat, the latter being proved by the ignition of a piece of phosphorus; it was then deprived first of the one and then of the other. A proof was then afforded of the existence of light in the violet or almost invisible ray that passed through the spectrum by taking a photograph of a prinfc by means of it, there being at the time no oiher light of any description in the room. The theory of color was then explained by exposing a bouquet of flowers to the rays 0? the spectrum under the influence of which they entirely changed their colors. A number of photographs and miscro3copic exhibitions by means of the ime light followed, one of the latter showing the animalcule in a drop of water, and the larvas of a mosquito magnified to such an extent as to make them appear to be creatures at least six inches in length, the peculiarity of whose movements caused much amusement among the audience. To-night the subject of spectrum analysis will be continued, and the electric lamp and 50 cell battery will be used for the fusion of metals in the course of the experiments. We would again assure our readers tbat theso lectures are moat interesting «s well as instructive, and tbat the photographs and in fact all the illustrations ate of the most beautiful description far superior to anything of the kind yet exhibited in K«lsou. A marriage license was taken out in Nelson yesterday for a young couple who are about to enter into the bonds of matrimony. Their united ages reach tlie respectable total of 126 years. Ybsterdat morning one of the crew of Commodore Hoskins' gig while engaged in doing some work at the stern of the Hinemoa in the gig managed by some means or other to get adrift, and as there was only oue oar in the boat he was unable to manage her, and was beiag rapidly carried out of the harbor by the strong wind and tide when his furious whistling attracted the attention of the crew of the pilot boat, who immediately put off to Jack's assistance, and towed the gig back to the Hinemos. A specUl meeting of the members of the Naval Brigade was held at the Custom House Hotel last evening. There was a large attendance, Seaman T. R. H. Taylor in the chair. After the transaction of some preliminary business, the nomination of a captain was gone into. The names of three gentlemen were suggested, and the Secretary was instructed to write to them inviting them to be nominated. The election of a Sub-Lieu-tenant then took place, and resulted in Ist Class Petty-Officer W. Simpson being elected. The new Lieutenant briefly returned thanks, remarking that sailors as a rule did not eare about listening to long speeches, and thought it would be more in their line lo splice the main brace, and there being no dissentient vo'.ce, this was accordingly done, the Blue Jackets singing " For he's a jolly good fellow" in true nautical style. A vote of thanks to the Chairman terminated the proceedings. A special meeting of the City Council was hald hist night for the purpose of passing the accounts. The business was of a purely formal and uninteresting nature. Messes. Sharp and Pickering's monthly sale of stock has been postponed until Wednesday next, the 16th instant. An inquest on the recent fire in Harleystreet was held yesterday afternoon. Nothing new was elicited, and the verdict, as usual, was to the effect that there was no evidence to show how the fire originated. We notice that Mr and Mrs Cotterell purpose giving one of their pleasant drawing room entertainments at the Masonic Hall on Friday evening, Of neither i3 it necessary for us to speak, the clever delineations of character by Mr Cotterell and the delightful singing of Mrs Cotterell being well known to Nelson audiences, from whom they have sver received a cordial greeting. If graveyards could speak, they might tell of thousands prematurely consigned to the " narrow house" in consequence of having disregarded their M Small ailments." No disorder, however trivial, can safely be negected. If you are troubled with a slight cough, or your stomach, bowels or kidneys are out of order, if you are weak or sleepless, be sure that there is danger. Banish all peril by a timely recourse to that sovereign regulator and strengthening cordial, Udolpho Wp&fe's Schiedam Aeomatic ScawAPrs.— Advfe