Science, Art, And The Drama.

Science , Art , and the Drama .

WHAT MODERN SCIENCE OWES TO THE ANCIENT ALCHEMISTS .

Those sanguine and patient enthusiasts , the alchemists , were not by any means the jugglers and charlatans they are commonly supposed to have been . Disdainersof dogmas , searchers for new truths , strenuous workers in the advanced trenches of scientific discovery , pitting Natuie to the rack , forcing her by steel and fire to disclose her secrets after the dumbness of long ages—those laborious men broke up the old ground of Aristotle , and

sunk deep the piles on which modern medicine and modern chemisry have reared their vast , but still uncompleted , palaces . They first struck the lodes , which have since widened into richer veins . To reproach them because they sought for impossibilities , is like striking the infant because it cannot at once speak . We must not forget that modern science had shown that there were germs of truth even in their wildest dreams . The great

Liebig could manufacture gems by chemical combinations , which have been such peifeet imitations as almost to challenge comparison , in fact , experts in prrcious stones have been themselves occasionally deceived . The great chemist publicly expressed his firm belief that , sooner or later , we shall learn how to make gold ; and we must remember that , if a common basis of all minerals was once

found , gold-making would be the smallest of the benefits mankind would derive from the vast discovery . The early alchemists obtained a great knowledge of the properties of natural objects , by their ceaseless and prolonged experiments . It was they who discovered alcohol ; at once the curse and blessing of the human race . They first taught us the use of mineral medicines . Those from the vegetable kingdom were

known at the earliest times . Basil Valentine devoted half his adveir . uro is life to the study of the medicinal properties of antimoiy a moit valuable agent for good , in the hands of the skilled physician . ParaceLus , the famed alchemist , whose name should be gratefully remembered , brought from the East opium , ( he pain-killer . Those whose fate it has been to suffer from the agonies of incurable diseases , or , from the necessary operations of the

hospital surgeon , should not forget that they owe to Paracelsus this in valuable anodyne ef their sufferings . It was an alchemist who discovered phospherous . Another alchemist , Van Helmont , first analysed atmospheric air , and discovered that it is composed of different gases . In the Spa waters of Germany , he first observed cirbinic acid gas , and learned to distinguish it as a distinct elastic

aeriform substance , to be elicited only by chemical decompj . ition , and considering it as more of an essence th m cim nan H'rrt is-p'ieric air , h : gave it the German name of ( Geist ) , ghost , or spirit , fro n wh wee co nes our English word Gas . This great discovery date ; about i 6 _>| Wo moderns know that the conclusions he arrived at were erroneous , but it ever

has been , and will still continue to be , that through th ; mizs of errors we eventually discover the truth . If space permitted , we c mid easily eilirge . on this subject , but enough has been alleged to induce us to look with a lenient eye on the ancient pioneers of science , and forgive the errors which their earnestness and enthusiasm led them to commit .

UTILISATION OF PINE NEEDLES .

In the Oregon exhibit in the Agricultural Building of the Pan-American Exhibition , at Buffalo , is an interesting display of methods of u'ilisiiig nine needles , as employed by an establishment in Grants' Pass , Oregon . The American Manufacturer , in a recent issue , describing this process , says that the company takes the long needles , and puts them through a process of steaming and rolling , after which they look like coarse hair or tow , and are

said to retain all their original medicinal properties . This peculiar woolly fibre is utilised in a great variety of ways . From it is obtained the extract called " Pinaronia . " Bonbons are also made with the ori ginal p ine flavour , and these are sold , and said to be not only palatable , but wholesome as well , and are used as a specific for many complaints . Pine pillows , stuffed with the soft fibre , find a ready sale , and under-clothes and

hosiery knitted from this vegetable wool are said to be an excellent remed y for and preventive of rheumatism , and also to be valuable for the use of those suffering from pulmonary troubles . Cigars are also * manufactured with this pine material for a filler , and with a regular tobacco wrapper , and are stated to have a beneficial effect on the throat and lungs of those who smoke them .

HANOVER GALLERY .

There is at the present time an exhibition of the works of Frank Boggs . They are scenes abroad , particularly of Paris . They possess great merit , and are remarkable for the strong contrasts of light and shadow which the artist exhibits . We briefly notice those which attracted our attention : 3 , Vue de Harfleur ; 10 , Vue d'Amiens ; 15 , Notre Dame , Paris—taken

from a good point of view ; 17 , Vue de Ureux Port Chartrain ; iS , Le Pont Neuf , Paris ; 22 , Pont des Saints Pen's , Paris ; 30 , Pont St . Michel , Paris—this is a fine picture ; it was exhibited in the Salon de Paris 1898 ; 41 , Marchi' aux Fleurs , Paris ; 45 , Le Pont de la Concorde , Paris ; 59 , Ouai prr-s Noire Dame , Paris ; fii , La Scene ;' i I'lnstitut , Paris . To those who know Paris these picures will be interesting .

THE NEW GALLERY .

This year ' s exhibition of mordern portraits is remarkable for the excellent work generally of the respective artists . There is evidence that this branch of work is not en the wane , but still preserves its well-meriled reputation . 3 , Portrait of the Artist and his Daughter , by Prof . Von Lenbach ; 9 , Fraulein Gabrielle Von Lenbach ; 135 , La Marquise Paulucci . We feel instinctively that these are veritable likenesses . * 10 , Stopford Brooke , by Robert Brough . The veteran , G . V . Watts , R . A , whose

wonderful pencil still preserves its magic touch , has several pictures : 19 , John Burns , M . P . ; 3 8 , Sir Benjamin Brodie , Bart ., the famed surgeon ; 124 , Professor Flinders Petrie . Harold Speed shows work of great merit : 99 , Rear-Admiral A . W . Moore , C . B ., C . M . G . ; 115 , A Girl with a Book . Herman G . Herkomer : 34 , The late Earl ol Harrowby , the Hon . John Collier ; 50 , 6 4 , in . R . Jack is a charming artist , notice 20 , ? . (> . There arc many other excellent portraits of artists of repute ,

EMPIRE THEATRE . Through the courtesy of the manager , we were enabled to piy a second visit to the above theatre . The great attraction at the present time consists in the two ballets " Les Papillons" and " Old Chi-ia . " The first we have already noticed in a previous issue . It was with renewed pleasure we saw it the other evening—it is a delig htful harmony where all garish colours are rigidly excluded , a succession of kaleidoscopic pictures are shown by the

graceful groupings of the butterflies , whose wings , with grey and brown outer cases , show resplendently when unfolded with every variety of hue in harmonious combination . The whole is a revelation of beauty—light sparkling music affords the opportunity to the principal danseuses and the coryphees to display their terpsichorean abilities . The second ballet " is entitled " Old China , " the conception is original

and gracelul . The first tableau represents a mantelshelf , with mirror , clock , and candelabra set out with rare old Dresden figures , a Court dandy and his fair lady , a shepherdess and her swain . The fanciful idea is that when the hour of 12 ( midnight ) sounds each figure , for the nonce , is endowed with vitality . They quit the mantelshelf to join their boon companions in the second tableau , supposed to be in the realms of Arcadia , where even the

flowering trees , as well as the fantastic architectu e , assume the appearance of Dresden China . There the story , slight as it is , is developed , love and jealousy forming the chief themes . Cupid is invoked , and amuses himself with the troubles of the lovers , being eventually the Dens ex inacliiud who extricates them , and brings the trifle to a happy end . Melodious music and

graceful dancing combine to render it a pleasing entertainment . There are the usual varieties , each in their "turn " being an interesting item . The operatic selection is good and efficiently rendered . For any one who would wish to spend a pleasant evening we would recommend the Empire Theatre .

The strikingly handsome badge above illustrated was worn by the members of the Reception Committee at the Guildhall on the occasion of the visit of T . U . H . the Prince and Princess of Wales . The Prince of Wales' Plume is worked in silver and gn'd on a iicarlet domed button , surrounded with white silk frilling , the red and white forming the City colours , the whole mounted on a gilt metal star . Minuf tctur- 'd by George Kenning and Son , London .

Railway Facilities At Christmas.

RAILWAY FACILITIES AT CHRISTMAS .

Ihe Great Western Railway Company issue tickets at their principal City and West-end ofliees , and this arrangement cannot fail to be a boon to those travellers who desire to avoid the trouble of obtaining tickets at a crowded railway station , particularly at holiday times . The booking ollice at Paddington Station will be opened all diy for the issue of tickets on December iSth , ujth , 2 otS , 21 st , 23 rd , and 24 th . Ordinary tickets obtained in London between December iSth and 24 th wilt be available for use on any day between and including those days . On Saturday , Decembir 21 st , cheap

excursions will be run from Paddington , Clapham Junction , Kensington ( Addison-road ) , Hammeriinih , & c , to Cork and Killarney for a fortnight or less ; on December 21 st and 24 'h night , to Swindon , Gloucester , Cheltenham , Cardiff , Swansea , Llanelly , Cirmarthen , New Milford , Bath , Bristol , Weston-Super-Mare , returning on December afith or 2 Sth night ; to Exeler , Torquay , Plymouth , Falmouth , Penzance , & c , returning December 2 ( i : h or - '< jth night ; on Monday , December 23 rd , to Waterford , Limerick , Tralee , Kilkinny , Killarney , Belfast , Armagh , Giant ' s Causeway , for a fortnight or

less ; or , Tuesday , December 24 th , to Savernake , Devizes , Frome , Yeovil , Bridport , Weymouth , Portland , Minehead , Wellington , Tiverton , & c , returning on Decembir 2 ( ith night ; and on Tuesday night , December 24 th , to Guernsey and Jersey , for a fortnight or less ; to Llandilo , Cardigan , & c , returning December jfith or 2 Sth night ; lo Wadebridge , St . Ives , Evesham , Worcester , Hereford , & c . returning December 2 < olh night ; and to Oiford , Leamington , Birmingham , Shrewsbury , Che iter , Birkenhead , Liverpool , & c , returning December 26 th , jSth , or January 1 st . On Tuesday , December 24 th , the 3 . 0 p . m . from Paddington to Plymouth will be

extended to Iruro ; the 6 . 0 p . m . from Paddington to Plymouth will be extended to Falmouth and Penzance , and the 12 . 0 midnight from Paddington will convey passengers to the Kingswear , Kingsbridge , Wadebridge , Fowey , and Newquay branches . A special tiain will leave Paddington at 10 . 0 p . m . for South Wales , calling at the same stations as ihe 9 . 15 p . m . ordinary train , which on this date will leave at 9 . 25 p . m . In order lo meet the extraordinary demands upon the Company ' s resources occasioned by the enormous parcel traffic despatched both from and to London at Christmas time , special fast trains carrying parcels only will run between the principal sta'ions . For further particulars see advertisement coiumns .

. . * GIFT TO AN AGF . D MASON . —Passaic , Nov . 14 ( Special)—The members of Patterson Orange Lodge , No . . n . F . and A . M ., have just presented to Orrin Vaiderboven , uf this city , a jewel in token of the fact that he is the oldest living member cf Ihe Masonic ( raternity in the State . Mr . Vanderhoven joined Henry Cabot Lodge , in Ntw York , in 1 S 43 . In 1 S 5 G he joined the Piterson Lodge , being one of its charter members . There are no others of the original list living , and it is said that Mr . Vanderhoven , v . ho is now over eighty years olJ , is the oldest Mison in the Stat ; . — . V

CHRISTMAS APPEAL . —OUKKN CHARLOTTE ' LYING-IN HOSPITAL , MARYI . KIIONK-KOAI ) , N . W . —This IlospTtal was founded in 1752 , and her Majesty Queen Alexandra is its Patron . More than 100 , 000 poor women have received its benefits since its foundation . The number of patients delivered yearly now amounts to 1200 in-pati : nts and 1000 out-patients . A special feature of the work during the past two years has been the reception as patients of the wives of soldiers sent on active service to

South Africa , over 100 of whom have thus been benefitted . The sum of £ 5000 is needed annually to maintain the Hospital , towards which the only reliable income amounts to £ zcoo . In addition upwards of £ 70 ) 0 is still required for the building fund . ( Juten Alexandra has recently graciously become an annual subscriber . Contributions maybe sent to the bankers , Messrs . Cocks , Biddulph and Co ., 43 , Charing Cross . i S . W . ; or to the secretary , Mr . Arthur Watts , at the Hospital .