The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1866-01-18

GLANCE At TUE WORLD WE LIVE lN'-THg
ACADEMY OF Music THBoNGED. La It evening, a
very large audience greeted Professor Il. @.
Rogers, NJ. D., of the University of Pennsylva-
mia, on the occasion of his lecture Tor the benefit
of the Soldiers end Sailors Home. Many hours
of care ano toll had been given to the prepara
ton of models Tor the practical illustration OF
the prominent forces and operations of nature.
The stage was covered with these models and
the varied groupings of the machinery hal a
picturesque appearance from the auditorium.
The "Chime of Musical Bells" before exhi.
bited to the public in the great Sanitary Fair OF
1864, introduced the performances with a beau
tliul melody.
Profe ,sor Rogers alluded tn the times of the
war through which the couuTy had lust passed
He reflected on what we all owel to those who
had lain on the cold earth, with no covering out
the blue arch overhead, who had cattled for us
amid privations and mseries, and he was now
prepared to lay his little mite at their feet. He
ielt that God would bless these benevolent ladies
and gentlemen, who were aiding the great cause
OF Justice in supporting the Soldiers and Sailors
Home.
His theme was the world that God had made.
What beautiful creation it was GravitatOn
holds by an iron chain the planets circllng in
their orbits restraining them, and reaching far
into ininity to govern even the comets. Heat
and light alike governed all materials. Let any
atom not do its part OF the great work, and CON
fusion and anarchy would be inevitable. The
most important apparent consideration in the
contemplation OF the Universe IS the law OF
change, vet it always performed according to
fixed rules. The particle that hoated in the air
was as lmmutably governed by fixed, unalterablo
laws as the great planetary systems.
Unity was the law that governed the universe.
In Christianity the Trinity prevails, buC IN the
material world God held this globe in the palm
of His hand. Matter was wnat impressed the
senses, and was only known by that apprecia.
uon. Thus unity here prevailed, but does that
matter differ from the law of unity? Is it ami
hilated or only mutilated? Experiment would
show that matter was never DESTROYED but only
ChqnUp0. simUlV bTOnuht from info
another. Tnus matter, while obeylng the law
OF gravity, obeys the law OF never being Ges-
tToyed
Force of matter is recognized mostly by
motion. Motion gives us the conception of
something that is moved, which associates with
itself space. When an object moves it is not by
force OF itself, but it is simply action or eX-
hibltlon OF force. Force cannot be supposed to
be destroyed, because the fat of God may be
rightly Jude ed to declare that while matter can
not be destroyed, force is likewise eternal.
Motion can be changed in its mode OF pheno-
mena into light neat electricity, magnetism,
sound.
The Professor then proceeded to demonstrate
practically that the study of nature would unfold
gems and treasures of poetry and romance; that
chemistry and natural philosophy contained the
materials for enjoyment and instruction in ample
pro fusion.
The first experiment consisted in placing an in
visible impalpable agency into balancing cones,
so that the cones we're alternately projected up
ward and downward. A large series of expert
ments were performed by the Professor, with
interesting, curious, and startling effects. Yet
when the explanations were given, the results
produced were evidently founded on scientific
| principles. The paper cone that was borne down
ward by the inpouring of an invisible agent was
| filled with choke-damp, heavy air, or carbonic
acid. The reversed cone that was propelled up
| ward was filled from underneath with hydrogen,
! much lighter than common air.
Professor Rogers presented, in corroboration
| of the principles which he had enUnciated in his
| oUenlng address, many experiments, the popular
| descriptions OF which would be impossible, but
the beholling of which was profoundly inte-
| resting.
Professor Rogers, returning thanks for the aid
rendered by his assistanG, BY DR.. Hunt, Mr.. Par
rlsh, DR.. Dor1ens, OF New York, and other dis.
| tinguisked gentlemen, for the ensuing expert
ment, exhibited, by shadows cast.on screen, a
| beautiful Illustration of the decomposition OF
water by galvanic action, the hydrogen and oyy-
! gen gases freed being magniied so as to be visi-
] BILE to the entire audience.
After other pleasing experiments, illustrative
| OF the immutable laws governing theHorces of
nature, the lecturer would have concluded his
| DISCOURSE had not the unanimous voice of the
audience requested its extension, and near IL
O'Clock the vast assembly dispersed, highly edi-
| fed and delighted with the evenings entertain
ment.