The Kenosha telegraph. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1860-1888, 1861-05-30
NO. 81.
For the TELEGRAPH.
Natural PbiIOsopTy-A Glance At the
Science. ~
BY JAMES f. OLIVER

Science.
By JAMES f. OLIVER.
The precedence which philosophy has long
claimed among the sciences has been very gen
orally accorded to her without hesitation.
No science, certainly, has ever had such glo-
rious galaxy of admirers and devotees
The very word itself has fullness of sound
and comprehensiveness of meaning equaled by
no other. How must it have sounded as it
dropped from the lips of Homer or Demosthe
mes. Where is there another word that con
tains in itself the concretion of everything
as this word, philosophy, lore of aoisdom.
Let us for moment take glance of this sci
ence and lay few of its truths before the gen
eral reader: s
Natural Philosophy or Physics is that science
which treats of all those phenomena observed
in masses Of matter in which there is a sensible
change of place. In contemplating this subject,
we have no right to imagine or conceive any
thing, for all its principles may be proved by
direct observation. '}f
Matter is the name given to whatever affects
our senses, or, in ether words, No whatever oc-
cupies space.
A simple substance is one that has never been
derived from the union of any other substances;
the number of these is sixty three; however,
the greater portion of matter on the earth is
formed of some sixteen or eighteen of these
substances.
Matter is constantly changing its form or
place. Mountains are wearing away, valleys are
filing up, rivers are changing their courses, and
oceans their bounds, and so with every thing iu
nature. AS the cause of the changes, we must
of course, admit the existence of agents or for
ces.
Molecular force acts only at insensible dis
tances. Ofthis there are two kinds, attrac
ton and repulsion
Bodies will take the form of solid, a 1uid, or
gas, in proportion as these forces prevail.
Gravity is that property by which all terres-
trial bodies tend towards the centreofthe earth.
This great law was discovered by Newton; the
falling of an apple, an incident which the com
mon mind would have passed by unnoticcd,
gave the key to those great mysteries that had
puzzled the saoans Of every century.
A pendulum is body SO suspended as to
move freely back and forth. At the present
day it is of great Importance, as by it we obtain
our standard of weights and mea sures.
The standard of Linear measure, which was
formerly three grains Of barley plucked from
the centre Of the head is now determined bythe
pendulum at the level of the ocean st
a machine can never impart all the motion
or force given it, on account of friction. The
inequality Of surfaces moving in contact, the
axes and pivots, the ropes, &c, all diminish the
power and motion. Friction is what renders
perpetual motion an impossibility, and until this
friction is overcome, or, in other words, until
man can lift himself over a fence by the straps
of his boots, the perpetual motion must remain
an imp0ssibility.
The power Of some machines is very great.
Archimedes is said to have boosted 10 king Hi
ero that if he would give him place to fix bis
machine, he wouldmoye the world.
Friction, though slight, can sometimes accom-
plish wonders. Water will wear away solid
rock, and kissing. the solid marble, as is shown
by statue of Jupiter, it, having been re.chris-
tened and called st. Peter, was kissed so much
upon the great toe, by pilgrims, that ii has been
replaced three different times.
The centre of gravity of a body is the point
on which it will rest when supported.
The most remarkable instance in connection
with the centre of gravity is the Leaning Tower
of Pisa 1t has a height Of one hundred and
thirty feet, and ogerbangs its base sixteen feet.
Yet since the lower parts are OF greater dimen-
sons than the upper and the walls thicker be-
low than above, the centre af gravity is so low
that it is stable.
This Tower was probably built Intentionally
inclining, to frighten and surprise. ..nI
Many suppose it TO have been built perpen-
dicular, but on account Of the placability of tho
soil one side, it has leaned over to IFS present
position ~. aa
PLEASANT PRAIRIE, Wis. aH