News and Views

Abstract

THE preliminary programme has now been issued of the centenary meeting of the British Association, to be held in London on Sept. 23-30, under the presidency of the Right Hon. J. C. Smuts. So far, of course, only the barest outline of the proceedings is possible, but it is clear already that the meeting is going to be worthy of the occasion. The reception room and offices for the meeting will be in the University of London (Imperial Institute Road, South Kensington). General Smuts will assume office at a meeting in the afternoon of Sept. 23 in the Albert Hall, where the Faraday Centenary Exhibition is being held, and will deliver his presidential address on the same evening at the Central Hall, Westminster. Special tickets will be required for General Smuts?s address; arrangements are being made for relaying it to other halls if necessary. Evening discourses will be given by Prof. W. A. Bone (photographic analysis of explosion flames), Sir P. Chalmers Mitchell, Sir Arthur Keith, Sir Oliver Lodge (a retrospect of wireless communication), Sir William Hardy, and Sir James Jeans. The Huxley Memorial Lecture of the Royal Anthropological Institute will be delivered on Sept. 29 by Dr. G. Thilenius, and members of the Association are invited. Various public lectures will be given in certain polytechnic institutions in London. It is expected that receptions will be given on Sept. 24 by the Royal Society, in connexion with the Faraday celebrations, and on Sept. 25 by H.M. Government. Exhibits and demonstrations are again being arranged by the British Broadcasting Corporation. London and its neighbourhood will provide plenty of opportunities for sectional excursions. Down House, Darwin?s home for many years and now in the care of the Association, is within easy reach, while an invited party will visit York, the birthplace of the Association, on Sept. 26-27. Preceding the meeting will be a geological excursion to East Anglia on Sept. 16-22, and those wishing to take part are requested to communicate with Mr. I. S. Double, University, Liverpool, as soon as possible.