The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-01-02


Ireland the cause Of popular education cAlls loudly
for legislative measures In Prussia, after the
commencement Of our century, q well organized and
very effective school system was introduced, which
has extended also to many parts Of Germany. Bel
GUM, Holland, Denmark, and Switzerland, all have
good school systems in full operation. France, sspe
cially since 1885, has made public instruction pro-
minept feature of its national policy. Norway and
Sweden also have growing interest in the cause
It'll significant fact that Spain and Portugal and
large part Of Italy, are far behind all the other
States of Europe not excepting Austria and Russia.
The Turkish government, in its energetic and free
spirit has resolved to introduce an admirable system
already adopted. and its college at Bebec, on the
Bosphorus is at present in highly aourishing state
In our own country the character Of school books
has been much improved. In 1900 there were no
elementary books Of natural history, physiology
astronomy, or algebra. Now these are very hume
rous, and Of a high character.
THE PRESS.
The liberty Of the press in our country, could not
well be greater shan it is. The government never
interferes with il.
Above all other nations, the Americans are news.
paper reading people. In hotels, steamboats,, rail-
road cars, omnibuses, offices, Shops drawing rooms,
and even in the streets, on the way to and from
places Of business-the newspaper is to be seen in
hand in pocket, or, perchsnce, in hat; or, in the
case Of patrons Of than journal, (and their
name is egion the friend Of the press bears about
with him his credentials in a variety Of NODES and
is never at loss for an intelligent companion, with
news from all quarters Of the globe.
In 1900 we published about 200 newspapers; by
the last census, the number Of our newspapers and
periodicals amounted, in June, 1850, to $500. The
aggregate circulation of these is estimated at FIVE
millions; and the number Of copies printed anRu-
ally in the United States, amounts to four hundred
and twenty-five million six hundred thousand. Four
hundred and twenty four papers are issued in the
New England States; in the Middle States, $40; 10
the Southern States, ZIG; and in the Western
States, 7s4. There are $50 daily papers; $50 tri.
weeklies; l25 semi.weeklies; 1000 weeklies, so
semi monthlies; 100 monthlies; and twenty-five
quarterliss.
The periodical press employs the pens of many
Of our ripest scholars; and in the columns of our
newspapers are found, daily, items of important and
interesting intelligence, derived from the best
sources.
The British colonial periodical literature is as yet
comparatively limited and 80 is that Of Central and
South America.
In England the number Of papers issued has in
creased more than ourfold during the fifty three years
past Tie present number of papers In Great Britain
and Ireland is sos, several Of which edited with
great ability. In higher periodical literature, Great
Britain is coHfessedly pre-eminent. On the CONT
rent of Eupore the freedom Of the press varies,
cording to the state Of civil liberty.
SCIENCE.
Within hty years science has originated several of
its most prominent departments, among which are
chemistry, meteorology, geology, physical geo
grspby and chemistry. It has also stepped
down from the high pedestal it once occupied and Is
mingling with the masses Of mankind, performing
immune rable and important kind Offices for the well
being Of communities and individuals.
Chemistry has revealed, among many other mystic
ries Of nature the identity Of chemical and electr
cal action. Organic chemistry now opens to the
mind of man a realm Of philosophical truth, abound
ing in discoveries of wonderful phenomena. Among
these is the theory that iron in the venous blood is
changed from one to another Of its oxides In the
lungs, and resumes in the oapilaries it, original
form. Among the arts TO which chemistry has i'm
parted the knowledge Of some Of its most pleasing
powers il the daguereotype, promulged BY its in
ysntor in 1888.
Electricity, magnetism, and galvauism have
ope1ed new worlds for scientific research. Hum
boldt has discovered the magnetic equator, and Ross
has discovered an arctic spot, where the needle as
sumes perpendicular position.
Electro magnetism has disclosed some phenome
na Of great practical importance to the world In
1882, Professor Morse derived from these phcnome.
No his system Of telegraphs, which, in lS43, was
brought into use by an ppropriaton from Congress
mi unsIo In tho.1
range of its operations in the United States. HOUSE,
with ccnsummate genius and SKILL next invented the
printing telegraph. In Prussia telegraph by cleo
tricity operates over 140O miles; and in England,
France, and some other European countries, 1t is ex
tepsively employed. Electromagnetic il now the
worlds amanuensis. And it has become the co
adjutcr OF astronomy, by its important capability Of
simultaneously recording at different and widely
separated places the transits and other celestial
phenomena that could not otherwise be 80 accurate
ly determined for useful purposes. 1t has, more
over, played, very successfully, the police officer by
puru'ng In fash, the refugee from Justice 1t has
also greatly served the interests OF trade and com
merce, and is destined to become, more and more, a
mighty auxiliary in promoting human progress.
Astronomy since the year $500, has greatly mul
tplied IL o,ryasorses erected, in 1872 the mural
circle; IMPROVE a. Instruments; increased Its cata
loeue Of stare and made the first discoveries Of aste
rods, until, from time 10 time. the number has in.
creased to twenty three To these dis it has
added the discovery Of new satellites Of the known
planets; new planet; q new ring Of Saturn; and
great number OF new comets, two of which have
been discovered in the United States. II has added
to its previous acquisitions the knowledge Of the
movements and of the revolution of manv stars and
the determination Of tn sir paralax the movements
Of systems OF stars and the fact that the of
own planetary system confesses an abrasion, by
celestial sympathy, toward a remote but congenia
"bright particular star" which science processes to
point out
Optics introduced, in 1851, DR.. Young's theory Of
fluctuations. aud thus satisfactorily explains difrac
tion and double refracton. Curious discoveries have