Alexandria gazette & advertiser. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1822-1824, 1824-12-11


States. Mr.. Calhoun has now received l43
electoral votes, and will therefore be Vice Pre-
sident Tor the ensuing four years.
N ATURAL PHILOSOPHY & CHEM
z lSTRY.
1t has long been subject of regret to MANY
OF the citizens of this place, WHOSE taste would
incline them to the cultivation Of science. that
our population IS too small to support Pro.
lessor OF Natural Philosophy and Chemistry.
by the establishment ofthe boarding school OF
Halloweil s Farquhar this difficulty is happily
removed, as | ain informed that the lectures
and experiments intended for their pupils NAV
be attended by class Of citizens without much
additional trouble or expense to the lecturer.
From the beauty and excellence OF their an
paratus, and their talents for scientific investi
CATION, there is great reason to expect course
OF interesting lectures and experiments, to
which it's the object of this notice to call the
public attention.
Those who attended the Introductory lecture
on the evening of the 9th inst were highly
gratified, although some of the most brilliant
experiments could not be satisfactorily exhibi.
ted to class, until they had acquired know
ledge which would be communicated by pre-.
hminary lectures.
From the deep interest | felt, and which
seemed to be generally excited by the lectures
on Astronomy, delivered here some time since,
we may fairly conclude that many persons will
be desirous of becoming still better acquainted
with this interesting science. But the other
branches of Philosophy are not less interesting
and particularly Chemistry which possesses
at once peculiar charms and extensive utility.
In the study of these branches of science, we
shall discover that the same laws by which the
Creator governs and conducts the celestial be.
dies in their wide range through infinity, are
also exerted on the smallest particles of matter
with the same uniformity and precision.
ssThat very law which moulds tear.
And bids it trickle from It's source,
That law preserves the earth sphere,
And guides the planets IN their courses
Astronomy may be compared to that nigh
ty circuit which our earth, with the other
planets, makes around the sun their common
centre-a circuit, on which depends the stri.
king beauties and vast varieties of the seasons.
while Chemistry may be likened to the Earth's
revolution on her own axis, which, though
less magnificent Is not less important for
without this would half the beauties and utility
of creation lie concealed in perpetual dark
ness. In the former we seem to behold the
Great Legislator in his public career of pow.
or and glory; IN the latter we arer admitted to
more familiar converse, and not less delighted
to find, that likewise here, all is grace, harmo-
nv and beauty One of the most striking fea
lures In the history of the last century is the
progress of Chemistry, and the consequent dis
coveres which have taken place in arts and
manufactures. Among these one of the most
remarkable is the present improved construc
ton of Steam Engines, whose Importance in
mining, manufactures, and navigation, are too
well known to need any comment and let it
be remembered that it was by attending the
lectures of Doct. Black ON the expansion of
fluids by heat, that Watts, the great improver
of these engines first acquired those ideas,
which afterwards enabled him to achieve
work of such Importance to the world.
Although Great Britain has in the present
age maintained the prominence in the prose
cution of these sciences, still America can
Toast of having contributed her part to the
wonderful train of discoveries which have
wrought such change in the arts of civilized
life, that we may well exclaim IN the contem-
plation of it,
"What cannot Art and Industry perform,
When Science plans the progress Of their toll
Nor is it only for their importance in the
useful and ornamental arts that would recon-.
mend the study of these branches of Philoso-
ply; all that is grand or beautiful in Nature,
all THAT is curious or elegant in Art. will reflect
new charms when viewed by the light of
Science. 1t is this light which bursts the
clouds of Superstition and prejudice. expands
the germs of intellect, and enlarges the sphere
of rational enjoyment. Shall we then while
earnestly engaged in the pursuit of wealth;
neglect those intellectual treasures, whose i'm
portance we must acknowledge, and whose at
tainment would be attended with so much
pleasure?
IT is truly gratifying to find that the study of
Natural Philosophy and Chemistry, is now
considered an important part of polite educa
ton for both sexes 1t will not only extend
the bounds of science, but also promote the
pleasures Of social intercoure. The interests
and feelings of both are the same, and there is
no reason why they should not alike partici-
pate in every rational delight Man and wo.
man were formed to relieve and assist each o.
Their, and they should climb hand in hand the
bill of Science. She would be enabled by his
strength to scale the rugged steep, and he
would be presented by her taste with every
flower that might spring in their path To.
gether they would visw.sfrom their intellectual
eminence, the splendor and magnihcence of
Creation, and together, raise their thoughts to
Him, who has given US not only perceptions
to discern these beauties, but companions to
heighten the enjoyment OF them. L.
WASHINGTON, Dec. Io-We were wit