Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1842-05-05
MIIS0lNlhIh.NN lAOUSo
From the Philadelphia Daily Chronicle.
DIR. LARDNER'S LECTURES.

DIR. LARDNER'S LECTURES.
DR.. LaRpNER finished his course of
eleven lectures last Monday evening, with
I" n selection of the most interesting parts"
of his previous subjects. These were the
Water Spouts--ihe Heavens-the SUPERB.
or Planets, and the Aurora Borealis.-
With the exception Of the truly beautiful
diorama of the Heavens, we beg leave to
say that this selection does moi present the
most interesting points OF former lectures !;
and if so, the Doctor should have enlarg.
ed on them instead of combining himself
to the rery ,cords in each repetition. The
repeated exhibition pays small compli-
ment TO the good sense of his auditory !;
and gives him the character of "Show.
man." much more than Philosopher.
This course contains many new and
valuable facts, which are given in our full
reports; but as many may not keep file,
and TO save trouble TO those who do, we
think i, we'll to publish the following In
der Rerum, in which the leading points
and facts are stated in just so many words;
Ito serve both for information to those
not having read the reports, and for refer.
ence TO those who have.
THE MOON.
This body revolves round the earth
every month, at distance of 24O, 900
miles. Her diulnal rotation is performed
in about $50 hours, or one month. Hence,
why she presents always the same face,
or part OF her surface to our earth.
There can be no living beings on the
Moon, as she has no atmosphere, no wa
ter, no clouds. Besides, no telescope can
"bring us nearer to the moon" than 240
miles at which no such objects would be
visible.
The general character Of the Moons
surface is that Of sugar loaf peaks, OF
chains Of these something like craters Of
volcanoes of 40 or so miles in diameter.
DIR. Hoibrook has proved that the lunar
influence does affect the viclssitudes o
health and disease.
Laplace supposes, that "meteorlc stones
are projections from volcanoes IN the
Moons" but not confirmed.
The Tides occur every IL hours from
the Moons attraction acting on the near
est ocean surface and on the bulk of thu
earth, whilst the opposite ocean has de
fic,ency of attraction. The high tide fol
lows the Moon and the difference o
high water in different places arises from
the forms of the coast acting on the grea
tidal wave.
Moon light exerts no influence on tn
vegetable world. The cred moon
harmless. This light has no dscoverabl
warmth, even in the focus of the larges
reflector. Nor does it act chemically o
; chIorate Of silver. Its intensity is to ths
of solar light as 100000 TO l.
The lunar mountains have been mes
!, sured to be five miles high.
THE EAR.
Sound is air thrown into waves or pu
: sations, which act on the membrani tyu
panum, or drum Of the ear"
If the air were more dense sound woul
: be louder, and vice versa.
HARMONY arises from colncdent vlbrl
h lions, and Discord from irregular pulst
y tons.
A mans voice varies from 200 to sc
= pulsations of sound every second &
male voice 600 to 1000 in the same tim
4 The wings of insects vibrate from IL
y Is thousand times every second to pr
duce their hum.