The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1865-01-06
THE UNION &c J0URNAL,
Familiar Lectures on Science.

We are pleased to learn that course oil
familiar lectures on science is about to be
delivered in Biddeford by Charles O. Morgan
Eco, lately of Brooklyn. n. Y. Such
cour.e is much needed BY our citizens ano
we trust will meet with hearty encourage
ment.
We have m abundance of entertainments
tina, contribute simply to our pleasure yet
VERY fsv which combine both pleasure and
nro6t Indeed It is common remark that
we are disposed to patronize those which at
ford a mere idle pastime to the neglect OF
Others that are moro worthy. During for
mcr winters, wo have had instructive courses
of lyceum lectures: but this season we are
deprived even Of these useful literary enter
tainments; while the meetings Of the debat.
ing society, which seem to have taken their
place. are enjoyed chiefly by our Saco neigh
bors. II is with much pleasure, therefore,
that we hail the announcement Of what
promises to DO series Of instructive ad.
dresses.
The gentleman to whom we are indebted
for this undertaking, has laid before US
brief analysis Of the subjects he proposes to
treat, which comprise well.chosen variety
Of highly interesting topics. In the consid-
GRAFTON of these is prominently involved a
ph,losophic account Of the first four days OF
creation-showing the beautiful harmony
which exists between the teachings OF science
and Holy Writ; discussion of the origin
of volcanoes and coral Misunderstanding at
tsntion to the vast and often imperceptible
forces that are ever remoulding the face OF
Nature; a glance at the great geological stra'
ia and the wonderful variety which they i'm
part to the earth's surface, suiting 1t to the
boundless wants of man, and rendering GER
tain countries pre-eminently adapted to Ger.
tain great branches Of industry, rs agricul-
ture, manufactures, or commerce; discus
sion of winds and ocean currents, with their
influence on navigation and climate; an an
alysis of the laws Of the weather, with many
interesting facts concerning remarkable con-
trasts of heat or cold in similar ATTITUDES,
and respecting the distribution OF rain and
the influence of its abundance or scarcity
in the formation Of forest regions, grassy
plains, or forbidding deserts; an account Of
the wonders Of vegetable and animal life as
manifest in different parts of the earth-par'
ticularly in the Tropics; and discussion oil
the physical geography and natural resources
of the United States. The treatment oil
these topics gives scope for the introduction
Of many facts having strong practical bear
ing and in the hands of one who has deyot.
ed years to their consideration, will undoubt,
edly be rendered interesting and profitable.
Mr.. Morgan is we'll known US successful
writer and compiler and as the author Of the
most complete textbook on geography and
its included sciences published in America,
1t is presumablc. therefore, that his lectures
will be enriched with many interesting OBJ
scrations in regard to the condition OF vari
Gus countries, and their inhabitants. Hi
habit also Of writing for the young, and-as
we understand-of occasional lecturing t.
schools, it is to be hoped will give him for
tunats facility in simplifying subjects which
might otherwise appear abstruse and pro-
found.
We earnestly commend these lectures to
the public patronage-the more 80 as the
lecturer has been for some time resident
among us, AID is known to be worthy OF en-
couragement. Let them DO attended by all
classes, especially by a good number OF schol'
ars from our public schools, accompanied by
their parents; and let us SEQ il, for once,
sound course Of scientific lectures, Invested
Of empricism and side shows, canno. be sus'
tanned in Biddeford.