New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-01-31
f. THE CHEMISTRY or TIE SUNBEAM.
A COURSE OF LECrU Res BY PROF. f. Il
ynfrMlNQ

Prof. YoUNAss commenced last evening" at Cooper
Institute series of foar lectures the Chemistry OF
the Sunbeam. The great bah was crowded
Prof. YoUnAss commenced by a reference 10 the an-
Gent views Of astrology when everything transacted
upon earth was believed to be governed by starry inu
epces. The picture in the almanac represen the old
idea that the BODY is governed by the cancellations
The chemist also worked under the guidance Of the
stars, and believed that they had the power 70 trans
mute the elements and produce gold. From alchemy
springs chemistry, and from astrology the great
science of astronomy. These sciences were long di-
vorced and the astronomer and chemist pursued indie
pepdent paths But the grand career OF modern dis
coyeIy they have met again, and II u the purpose
of these lectures to show how tuey are now
how power, movement, and life upon earth spring
from their mighty union Wherever sc loob, all 10 Ia
motion npon earth. The air and waters are 10
eternal motion. There steam power, electric, veg
e,abe, and animal forces. What are tneir sources
They all come from the heavens. They originate in
pulses shot the planetary space-tney are OF
celestial origin. The earth supplies dead matter; the
HEAVIER throw it into movement, and give rise 70 hii
theee effects OF force. glance at the globe shows
that planis and animals belong in their places. But
this r. not bap-bazard; there plan abont t. IL we
90 norhwaId from the equator we cross 0e'i or sue
eessiye tyres OF vegetable aud animal lite. IL we as
cend HIGH mountain, pass the same belts. Inc
tribes arc chained 10 their places Inc earth alone
here the same SOILS waters and atmosphere, for the
materials of life The fiber of wood, the bones and
aesh OF animals are everywhere identical. We must
seek a variable cause the variable astronomio
forces which act upon the earth. The distribution
of life depends upon the changing intensity oil
the sunbeam. Plants and animals are chained ID tner
places by the angles of solar influence no too with
man. In bis VANITY be assumes to be exempted from
the despotc physical ordinances but they press upon
him with resistess power and he only sklfuy de-
tend himself by rational IL he ventures
far into the polar or tropical regions s at the risk OF
life And so as an Intellectual worker, he IL also
narrowly restricted Civilization Is the grand resultant
of the inellection of The architectural monu-
ments show the locality of the civilizations. Tue
soutberDmost, the Egyptian, and the northernmost,
the Epgbsb; the Hebrew, Chinese, Greek, Roman
and rel CHI intervening In zone oil Udegrees "hmin
this all the great men have appeared tney are cTe
lures Of the tosr angle, literally sch ldren OF light
The sunbeam, which has thus omnpotent control over
earthly affairs is line of forces-a three-iod govern
compoees the ray, and separates these forces Toe
lgh force takes effect upon the pulp of the eye
PRODUCING luminous effects. The heat force acts upon
all matter, producing expansion, and oTerIul me-
cbaDical effects BY evaporation, the circulation OF
the world of waters resuls-waer power, and the &c.
illogical changes of the continents which are lsached
ont al washed down into the sea. The sunbeam 10
thus leyeliDg force upon the planet. The third
force ia the CHEMICAL government OF the sun over
affinity, and the grouping of atoms, which gives rise
TO the Photographic art, and the chemical changes OF
The vegetable world
The lecture was profusely illustrated by diagrams,
and elected frequent bursts of applause. The second
of the course will be delivered on Friday evening"