Page:Popular Science Monthly Volume 52.djvu/56

46 —was a striking example of the combination of actual physical experimentation with the most abstruse theories and problems as to the properties of matter. The paper of Professor Meslans, of Nancy, on his own and Moissan's process for the separation and liquefaction of fluorine, was a matter of extraordinary interest, as the experiment was conducted in the presence of the section. The number of physical and electrical papers was very large, and no attempt can here be made to discuss them. Section A, Mathematical and Physical Science, has subdivisions or "departments"—one on electrical science, one on meteorology, one on general physics, etc.—all of which were active during the meeting.

The section on Economics and Statistics had a smaller number of papers, but of a class that has great attraction for many minds, especially at the present time. Our own Labor Commissioner, Mr. Carroll D. Wright, presented a paper on The Relation of the Employment of Women and Children to that of Men; and various other papers, relating largely to American and Canadian problems as to finance, trade, taxation, etc., were read and discussed.

It remains to allude briefly to a few of the more general public occasions. There were two evening lectures delivered in Massey Hall, before referred to: one on Friday, by Professor Roberts-Austen, F. R. S., on Canada's Metals, and the other on Monday, by Sir John Milne, on Earthquakes and Volcanoes. Both of these were interesting and instructive. Professor Roberts-Austen, who now is to succeed the Hon. Mr. Vernon Harcourt, who resigned the office of general secretary after fourteen years of service, presented a very full account of the resources of the great Dominion in metallic wealth; and Sir John Milne gave a large amount of novel and striking matter in regard to earthquakes and seismology, derived from long residence and study in the restless region of Japan. Some of his large projected illustrations of earthquake action, as photographed in that country, were highly impressive.

The two universities, Toronto and Trinity, which have their beautiful buildings and grounds in the city, had both arranged to confer honorary degrees upon the leading officers of the association at a formal "convocation." The one held by the University of Toronto came first, and took place in the large pavilion building of the Horticultural Gardens, on the afternoon of Friday, August 20th. The scene was highly interesting; the president of the university, Dr. Loudon, in his academic gown, with the red-lined hood of a doctor of laws, announced in each case to the audience the action of the institution in conferring the degree; then, turning to the recipient, he addressed him in Latin with the words of formal investiture; and then called him forward to the front of the platform to