MR. H. A. SEVERN IN AUCKLAND.

Thames Star, Volume III, Issue 16710, 22 May 1874, Page 2

MR. H. A. SEVERN IN AUCKLAND.

The first of tile series of the winter course of lectures, in connection with, the Young Men's Christian .Association, was delivered last evening, aiid was a most complete success. The. lecture was thoroughly interesting and instructive. Mr. H. A. Severn, whose love of science and proficiency in its various branches is not unknown to the public, was the lecturer. The subject' treated of was the "Progress and Chemistry of Artificial Illumination." It would not be a difficult matter to give an intelligible report of the lecture, or of any of its parts, so clearly was the subject treated of that the frequent practical experiments made by the lectureiijippeared as if intended solely to demonstrate the truth of the verbal expositions of the lecturer, instead of, as would naturally be expected, to make them more easy of comprehension. We* re«ret,_ however, that press, of matter makes it impracticable tor us to report the substance of the lecture. The various stages of progress through which artificial illumination has*passed from the time when the ancient Eoman lamp, supplied with animal or vegetable oil, was in use, to the modern discovery of electric light; wore clearly st;t before the audience. Specimens of the rushlight and dip, and pf the more modern candles, as well as of the several kind of.lamps, were produced and experimented' with. Coal gas was generated in a small furnace in the room, and puriffed by the action of water and lime.- The whole process of its manufacture was clearly illustrated. ' The Bude, lime,' magnesium, and. electric lights were experimented with, and their.constituent parts explained by the lecturer. Water was decomposed by the action of magnetism, and the nature of its gases, hydrogen and oxygen, and their connection with combustion, practically exemplified, and other experiments of a beautiful nature were made. The audience paid a decided compliment to the lecturer, hj their undivided attention throughout, and the frequent applause which followed the successful issue of the experiments. ■,< The wonderful power of Browning's microscopic lantern was briefly touched upon. A very cordial vote of thanks was proposed by" Mr. Goodall, seconded by Mr. Battley, and carried with acclamation.. In proposing the vote of thanks, Mr. Goodall said that he trusted the excellent lecture.which had been delivered had'initiated- a state of things that would brings Auckland out of its apathy with regard: to scientific matters. Ihe hall was crowded, and numbers were unable to obtain admission. Amongst those present we. noticed Lady Ferguson and suite. The chair was occupied by Colonel Haultain "(vice-presi-dent), and the proceedings were closed by the E,ev. Mr. Taylor pronouncing the benediction.—N.Z. o erald, Thursday.