The Perrysburg journal. [volume] (Perrysburg, Ohio) 1853-1861, 1856-11-06
SCIENTIFIC LROruRINa.

SCIENTIFIC LECTURING.
tits Characteristic Of the univ rsal Yankee
nation to let their light shine-very few suffer
it to remain under hushel The result is, a
constant rising Of new luminarits TO irradiate
the public mind, and disp, the shades of igno-
rance and error. .....
The determination to enlighten the COM
munty on sub,c of pilosophic science is
especially noticeable. Notwithstanding the
hos. of fixed stars, of varying magnitudes,
which shed a constant light, there are also
many philosophc meteCrs which flash out
over the country, TO excite wonder for
brief moment, and then go out in darkness.
leaving no trace Of useful results behind.
The passion for scientific lectuiing was
never so great as now. The eagerness To
learn Of new theories and new discoveries in
science, and to witness practical illustrations
of both new and old, has caused an army Of
lecturers, of every grade of qualification, to
proffer their rvices for the glorious mission
of dispensing science. OF this army some
are champions, and many well worthy the
mission they have undertaken: while por-
ion 90 forth like the ass in the fable, dressed
up in the skin Of science, without either the
ability or the art to conceal their natures.
Mr.. Flasher being of an ambitious turn,
and having read brief elementary work on
Natural Phisolophy, and another on Chemist
ry, and having listened to few illustrated
lectures from a dubbed Professor, determines
to leave shoemaking and take up lecturing.
as a shorter road to fame and wealth. He
accordingly purchases cheap chemical ap-
paratus, a magic lantern, few scripture
paintings for Sunday school exhibition, and
set of "kings and queens" together with
the requisite supply of comic scenes, and
starts out, CO ifident of success, and rejoicing
| in the rapid stride he is about taking up the
ladder Of science. His debut is made in the
town hall of country village. Spacious
| bills are posted about the streets, announcing
the advent of Professor Marcus Valorious
Flasher" with a superb apparatus, wher-
! BY he propose to favor the citizens with " a
wonderful exhiLi ion OF the Phantasmsgoris,
accompanied by powerful Drun,mond light,
and variety of magnificent illustrations Of
che mical science, too mum Tous to mention
constituting. on the whole, a display of un-
parelled in attractiveness and briancy."
A medium sized ldence assembled at the
time and place designated. In well.com-
mitted preface, Mr. +. descants. in words Of
learned length. on the wonders of science and
I its achivemen making a prodigeous sweep
over the whole field, from the days of Calico
to his own, Hhen he at length Cesends to the
particular SUI jects of the evening. Here
comes the tug Of war Manual skill, as well
as oratory, is required. In attcmptin to use
his magic Lantern, the gasses for illumination
refuse TO yield the requisite light. and the
luminous lime bali to stand at the nice
point" while the lenses, wrongly inserted,
all serve to give indistinctness aud distortion
to the views In vain does MIR. Flasher
expatia.e on tie splendor of the scenes so
misty displa- ed before his impatient audi
Ience.
After a tedious half hour Il pro ;ramme is
changed, and the " Wonders OF Chemistry"
are introduced. A feeble exhibition of the
Drummond light is made. piece OF damp
PHOSPHORUS is ignited in jar Of Cxygen gas,
which tn Is in the fracture Of the jar and the
burning Of Mr.. lF''s fingers. Tapers, iron
wires, sulpher, ETC., are burned in the same
gas, with tolerable succpss, and the exercises
conclude with an attempt to suffocate a rat in
carbonic acid, which results in the escape Of
his ralslip and an unceremonious dispersion
of the feminine portion Of tie audience.
This ends the pompously Herald lecture by
Professor Marcus V4loriuus Flasher The
intelnent portion of the assembly pell that
they have been sold," while the ignorant
and inconsiderate declaim against all scientific
lecturers as cheats and hum5ugs.
This description may seem over-wrought,
but is still wi.hn the latitude of facts. Do,
; however, such insults to oscience-such abuses
of public confdence-militate at all against
the diffusion of science, through the medium
of popular, illustrated lectures Ey,ry pIo-
fsssion has its quacks, but its Importance is
thereby rendered none the less. illustrated
= upon subjects of practical science, where the
= requisite learning and skill are employed.
. furnish most amusing, agreeable and in
struc,ve recreation. To this al will attest,
. who lstt ned, for instance to the lectures de-
q liv red by Dr. Lardner few years since, in
n mlny Of our American cities.
Every community must and will have its
7 amusements and how much b' tier that they
: combine pleasure and useful instruction, thas
q pleasure only. Let, them, worthy efforts FOL
i the diffusion Of popular science be duly en-
= couraged, and the fondenss for idle shows ant
s vulgar pantomime will gradually diminish
n while valuable truths, sown instead, NillspIin,
N up and bear the blessed fruits of usefulness
Wv and 'obriety.
o cI TBcsroN, JUNE 90. 1856, 4 W, sPRAGu
They have had ice a quarter of an inc
:" thick in the Pewee Valley. Kentucky. Larry
~, luuaotilies of lAie corn have ben injured an