Doncaster Microscopical Society
The first meeting of the above society was held on Wednesday evening last at 18 High Street, the Rev. Canon Brock (president) in the chair. There were also present the Rev. W. R. Weston, J. B. Withington, Esq. M.R.C.S. (vice-presidents) and 18 other members.
In his opening remarks, the President alluded to the great gratification it afforded him to be present at the first meeting of a society of this kind, which appeared to be an eminently successful one. On entering the room he was quite struck with the array of instruments on the table, and doubted not, that with such appliances much valuable work would be done.
The formation of this Society had given him great pleasure, and it was a very satisfactory thing that in Doncaster a means had been provided of engaging in a study so elevating to the mind, and by which such an insight into the work of God could be obtained as by the microscope.
If the discovery of the telescope had given evidence of the insignificance of our own planet, as compared with other worlds, the subsequential discovery of the microscope had quite compensated for this by revealing the marvelous beauty of almost everything around and beneath us. He thanked the members for the great honour conferred upon him in the position of president, and he should care always to be present when possible.
He then called upon Mr. Stiles to read his paper on “The microscope and how to use it”.
Mr. Stiles (secretary) in his opening remarks, spoke of the satisfactory progress made by the society since its establishment three weeks ago, thirty members having already joined.
He then described the construction of the microscope, noticing in detail the uses of each part, and the best mode of arranging the various pieces of apparatus for securing good results during observations.
Stages & Condensers of different forms were shown, and their peculiarities pointed out. The process of measuring minute objects and sketching them were alluded to.
In the second part of his paper (which was not concluded when the meeting came to an end) Mr. Stiles gave a general description of the method of mounting opaque objects, more especially those large enough to require the protection of a cell.
The proceedings terminated with the president proposing a vote of thanks to Mr. Stiles for his interesting and instructive paper, which was unanimously carried. We understand that the subject will be resumed at the next meeting on the 17th inst.
[Doncaster, Nottingham & Lincoln Gazette, 5th March 1880]