Thames High School.

Thames Star, Volume XVII, Issue 5253, 18 November 1885, Page 3

Thames High School.

Daring the past few weeks the Board of Gorernors of the Thames High School hare gone to considerable expense in importing the apparatus necessary to still further demonstrate by experiment the lessons given by the headmaster, Mr Adams, 8.A., in : " science arid chemistry. "While paying a visit to the school, and listening to a lesson on science given by Mr Adams, we were most agreeably sur prised at the evident progress made by the scholars in this branch of learning, while they seemed thoroughly conversant with the experiments in connection there with. The appliances are neatly arranged opon shelves, and at once attract the eye of the visitor. A eudiometer, an instrument for determining the proportion of oxygen and nitrogen in air, occupies 8 prominent position; while the gasometer proves of great value for storing different gases, &c, its uses being practically shown by Mr Adams. Then there is an airpump, made of glass, which enables the pupils to observe its principle. Two kinds of thermometers are used —the centigrade and Fahrenheit. But perhaps the instrument mostly used is the electric battery, which is found indispensible when giving lessons upon electricity, &c, while it is also used in connection with numerous experiments But it would be a work of some magnitude for us to attempt to describe the several apparatus and instruments daily in use, which are neatly and compactly arranged. The collection of rare specimens is certainly most valuable and interesting, consisting of ores, quartz specimens, clays, fossils, and objects of natural history, being in handsome show cases, in which they can be -seen to advantage. On the southern end of the building is situated the room for assaying »nd retorting, in which subjects the elder boys receive lessons. Pieces of quartz containing various minerals and metals are obtained, which are reduced very fine, and after going through the various processes, the lead button containing the bullion is cupelled. The heat for the crucible is aupplied'by means of a blast furnace, for which gas is used. The metal in the stone being thus extracted, the bullion obtained is weighed by means of the assay balance, which is very accurate, and will weigh to the 1000 th part of a milligram* Some of the scholars appear thoroughly conversant with the principle of assayiog and retorting, and reflect great credit upon Mr Adams. In order that the pupils* engaged in this branch of learning may not suffer from the effects of injurious gases, a draught cupboard is used, which proves very useful. At the time'of our visit the whole process of extracting the precious metals and assaying a piece ©f quartz was gone through by two scholars in a very creditable manner, while an unknown solution was also successfully analysed. It is certainly a matter for congratulation that the Thames possesses such a school, which is so ably managed by Mr Adams, can be plainly seen by the large collection of local curiosities which adorn the specimen case. The Governors are also deserving of every commendation for their efforts to make the school a most popular one, and for the appliances which they have purchased at considerable expense. We feel certain that were parents aware of the class of knowledge to be gained by children attending the school, it would be much more largely patronised, and the efforts put forth by the Governors more appreciated.