[Footnote 4: See Journal, vol. xxxix., p. 648.]

[Footnote 5: Ibid., vol. xl., p. 955.]

Mr. J. Paterson (Warrington) expressed his appreciation of the paper,
as one of exceptional interest and value. He said he did not rise with
a view to make any observations thereon. The analysis of first
principles required more matured consideration and thought than could
be given to it here. The opinion, however, he had formed of the paper
placed it beyond the reach of criticism. It was now many years since
his attention had been drawn to the name of Denny Lane; and everything
that had come from his facile pen conveyed sound scientific
conclusions. The paper to which they had just listened was no
exception. It was invested with great interest, and would be regarded
as a valuable contribution to the Transactions of the Institute.

Mr. Lane, in reply, thanked the members for the kind expressions used
with respect to his paper. His object in writing it was that any one
who had not paid any attention to the subject before should be able to
understand thoroughly the principles on which gas and hot-air engines
operated; and he believed any one who read it with moderate care would
perfectly understand all the essential conditions of the gas-engine.
He might mention that not long after the thermo-dynamic theory was so
far developed as to determine the amount of heat converted into power,
a very eminent French Engineer--M. Hirn--conducted some experiments on
steam-engines at a large factory, and thought he could account for the
whole heat of combustion in the condensed water and the heat which
passed away; so much so that he actually doubted altogether the theory
of thermo-dynamics. However, being open to conviction, he made further