The newspapers are always the chief playground of the Irony
Of Accident. A long telegram from Berlin is given the place of honour on the leader page of the Morning Post of Monday last—followed by another on Tuesday— under the heading " Gold from' Mercury. Prospect of More Practicable Results." The Berlin Correspondent states therein that the scientific world of Germany has now had time to pass its criticism on the sensational discovery of Professor Miethe, a man with a " very long record of practical achievements in chemistry and physics," and whose reputation as a scientist is sufficient to dispel all doubts as to the relia- bility of his work. The Correspondent goes on to say that " What has therefore presumably been proved indisputably is that it is now possible to effect at will a transmutation of elements provided the right conditions are obtained." What remains behind is still more poignant. The scientific authorities, we are told, are now saying that Professor Miethe is probably wrong in supposing the transmutation could not be effected except at a stupendous cost.
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