Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1852-01-19


SMITHSONIAN Observation-Disclosures OF Professor
RoeERs.-Prof. Rogers, of the University of Vir.
glna, commenced on Tuesday evening a course OF
Lectures il the Smithsonian Institute, Washington
on The Phases Of the atmosphere" the first Of which
is thus noticed in the National ln,elligencer;
The hrst oil the series began it'll some remarks on
the rrla on Of Physical Science to Human Progress
ana IA defence OF scienee against lhe ree Of lis
Materials ic tendency. Reference was then made
to the ofu ion Ut scrnce the present ddy its e.
suits on hum III clpliz ttlon and well being. ii WAS
sh IVA tn The prog ess OF invention has been due 10
scien Tic research, even Id those cases where the
Practical man supposed TO have attained his resu IS
without the aid OF science, since in the present ae
many OF the great principles of physics have become
the common property ct the huInb.est mechanic as
well as the man OF science. Ii forms the Al re
of knowledge in which he lives aud by which. On.
consciously, he is directed and simulated to dicoye.
A general view then taken of the great physi
cal relations of the mesp here
First AS the great agent OF commercial intercourse
and thus the motvs-power to civilization and i'm
provemeAi,
Second. A 'hesmedium of sound and thus the
physical vehicle OF thought and emotion.
Ihird AS The medium OF light and heat from The
sun, aad 50 modifying both to adapt them to the
bene fcent activity by which they clohe the earth with
beauty, and fill it with happiness
Fourth. As the distributor OF moisture tempera-
ture, electricity, and perhaps magnetism and by the
laws OIL It's great currents the wind the power which
determines and controls the climates Of the globe.
tie source WLicH supplies the springs
rivers and thus through The rain which descenis up-
on the soil and penetfates the earth, as well as
through other chemical ard mechanical actions con-
tlnnaiIy remodelng the earth.
SIKH. As the essential agent of ordinary combus-
ton, and thus the chief motiys-power of all the me
chancal and chemical q Is.
Seventh. AS forming the abode of living beings,
ana as being the very nlat4fa itself of which all
living things are formed, and into which, in the cycle
OF naiura! changes, they again resolved
III these different relations the atmosphere NAV BE-
regarded as presenting itself under three distinct
phases CT existence and actiyity-the ms chancal
phases, the chemical phases, and the vital phases.
Prot K proceeded to illustrate by experiments and
EXPLANATIONS. the chief mechanical properties of the
air, including It's relation to sound and magnetism -
He dwell on The distinctive of gaseous as com
pared with solid and liquid bodies and referred to thai
view of the constitution of matter according to
winch 1t may be regarded deriving lis various spe
clc properties rot from diversity the elementary
matter, but difference in the arrangement OF the
paris composing the mass.
The experimental Illustrations were made with
some OF the beautiful articles Of apparatus belonging 10
the Institution.
Prof. Rogers lectures without notes, and is one of
the most eloquent lecturers experimental science
we have ever had the pleasure Of hearing.
The next lecture Is on this (Thursd " evening.