Doncaster Microscopical Society
On Wednesday evening a conversazione in connection with the Doncaster Microscopical Society was held at the guild Hall and proved a most interesting and successful event in the career of the society.
The society has only recently been established, in March last year, the object of the promoters being to afford the opportunity for mutual study to those interested in the microscope.
It is usual among societies of this kind to have an annual conversazione, and the officers of the Doncaster Microscopical Society were not slow to see that such an event must conduce to the success of the undertaking. It would bring it more prominently before the public, and would doubtless be conducive to the acquisition of more members. At present the number is 44.
Friends were consulted, not only in Doncaster, but other parts, and readily consented to lend their aid to make the conversazione as interesting and as instructive as possible.
The loan of about fifty instruments was promised, and beyond these there were electrical apparatus, telegraph apparatus, and a number of other instruments, some of which, however, have been on view in times past in other place in Doncaster, and in connection with other objects.
These various instruments and apparatus were fixed on tables occupying the side and the ends of the room. Large, however, as the hall was. There were times when more space would have afforded greater comfort and convenience to the visitors.
Invitations had been issued to most of the principle residents in the town and neighbourhood, and soon after the conversazione was fixed to commence, the room was filled by a large and interested gathering.
To Mr. Stiles, the indefatigable secretary, and to the president, vice-presidents, and committee great credit is due for their excellent arrangements.
Amongst the exhibitors of instruments, were Messrs. Swift and Co. of London; Messrs. R and J Beck, London; Messrs. Chadburn Bros., Sheffield; the Revs. Canon Brock, W. R. Weston, W. Smith, and J. Withington, and Messrs. Stiles, Milner, Kirk, Roberts, Matthewman, H. Milner, Winter, R. S. Brundell, Reader, White, and Hawley, Dr. Wilson, Dr. Mitchell Wilson, Mr. Bowman, Mr. Withington, and Mr. Walker. Mr. Cuttriss also showed a variety of curiosities, as well as a microphone, telephone, electric railway, eudiometer, radiometer, model of Cleopater’s needle, and Dynamo-electric machine. Mr Cowley showed an air pump, an electric light lamp, an electric magnet, etc. Dr. Benton had contributed a collection of Japanese articles, and Mr. Cross of the postal telegraph department at Doncaster, a number of electrical machines.
Plants, flowers, etc. for decoration were provided by Miss Brock, Mrs. Shirley, Mr. Huntriss, Mrs. Hall, Mr. Meacock, Mr. Brundell, and Mr. Howard.
During the evening the band of the Doncaster Amateur Vocal and Instrument Society, conducted by Mr. Kirk, occupied the orchestra and played selections of music at intervals. Mr. H. T. Lewis presided at the piano-forte, and also enlivened the proceedings by selections on the instrument.
[Doncaster, Nottingham & Lincoln Gazette, 8 October 1880]