The independent press. (Abbeville C.H., S.C.) 1853-1860, 1857-03-13
Prof. Leconte'a Lecture.

In spite Of the inclemency of the weather,
there was quite large attendance in the
Court House on last Friday night. to hear the
able Lecture of Prof. John Leconte on The
Study Of the Physical Science" The Address
was charactcr rized by vigor of analysis n
scientific precision Of statement, an Apostle
ness Of illustration, and n tcr,ene.s and viyor
of style. which conveyed the most favorable
impression of the powers of the Speaker. We
thought him peculiarly happy in his expo
sition of what is meant by law of nature
as comprehending those genernlized fncts, which
from the Ultima Thule of scientific enquiry;
and Of the scarcely distineuishabc differences
between fact aud theory. like
'Shade unperceived so softcninc into shade"
The Importance Of the study, as an intellectual
and moral discipline was enforced, by consid-
erntions drawn from the precision of its nom-
enclnture. the union which its presents of de-
monstrative and inductive reasoning, aud the
ennobling character Of its conte,nplntons.
At the solicitation of a friend the Professor
has politely furnished us, for publication, with
copy of his concluding remarks, upon the
moral influence Of Physical studies which We
Ae'e"i'h eouineho " tue peruSal OF our read
ers:
I'm concluding this very imperfect sketch,
permit me TO indulge In n fsw reflections on the
moral tendencies Of such studies. Everything
announces world of activity and. .life-evcry-
thing betokcns thought and comprehensive ar
ra ngement. These are, as it were, the many
voices of Nature, heard only by the sensitive
ly kind and bountful, yet rrovident, is nature
in all her operations. and through all her
works. Neither skill nor materials are ever
wasted ; and yet she ungrudgingly disperses
her favors, apparently without measure; and
has subjected dead matter to laws which com
pei it to minister, and yet with a most ready
willingness, to the wants and comforts of every
living thing. And how increasingly does she
press this her example, not only Of unbounded
goodness, but of universal charity, on the at
tention Of the man of science! Does tho corn
spring more freshly when scattered by chris
tian handf Are the harvests more abundant
on Protestant soil I And does not the sun
shine alike, and the rain descend, on the TO-
mains Of each political partyl So science,
from her daily converse with nature. fails not
sooner or later, to take her hue and color from
the perception of this universal love and boun-
". Party and sectarian differences dwindle
away and disappear from the eyes of him who
Is daily occupied in the contemplation of the
boundless muni6cence of the great Impartial
he sees himself standing in one common rcla.
tion to his fellow.men, and feels himself to be
most completely performing his part in life,
when he is able in any way or in any measure
to contribute 10 the general welfare of all.
| 1t 10 IN this sense, too, that science-humbly
tracing the footsteps of the Deity in all his
works, and from them deducing his intelligence
and his universal goodness-it is in this sense,
that science is Of no sect, and of no party, but
equally the province, and the property, and
the friend of all.
Onths other hand when We contemplate
the dealings Of man with man, what a contrast
| isSpresentsdl What supreme selfshness
Mhst narrow minded bigotry and intolerance |
"hat generai Perversion Of all that is calcu.
lated to elevate the intellectual and moral
character Of the human species Man. in tba
lowest stsgs Of almost animal rudsness as well
a. smidst the apparent brilliancy Of our higher
eisiHsA.ion, pssparss for himself and b;. fs,.
.os'"en, increased toll and dsngse The trav.
(Jsr wandering oserthe wide globe by sea and
lend, ~ we'll - the historic inquirer .earchinr
the records Of past ages finds evsryuhsre tho
nniform Nsnd ssddsning speotaolos Of man At
variance with man.
."He, therefore, yho. amidst the unreoonoilsd
t.iseord Of nations, seeks for Intellectual calm,
siadiy tufnsto contemplate the silent and hid.
sss .ss,vis;ss Of fOroes Iahd powers operating
N the sadctuaries of nature or, s65ed,eps 10