The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-11-20
LECTURES LAST F,GHT.
Lecture on Earthquake ~ DE-. J. J. I'd.

Association Of the American Institute, held last eve
ming room No. q. Cooper Institute, Professor Gil
man prexiding Dr. j. j. Edwards read an interesting
paper ON earthquakes. Having briefly considered
the physical facts and condition OF the earth he pro-
seeded to show that all earthquakes and volca-
noes resulted from the action Of internal fre. It
was doubtful whether Q correct idea was generally
FORMED as to the earth's component parts But be-
fore dilating upon that the theory OF earthquakes
must first be developed, as folows:-That the earth
Is kept In Its parts by the recprocation OF attraction
and repulsion; that the earth is not q molten
mass in its interior, although it may once
have been; that the heat OF the earth ia not
sufficient to account for earthquakes, nor for the
phenomena which are necessary for the vegetable
and animal life on its surface; that the laws which
govern the sun and the planets are universal laws
and that to know the laws Of one ia to know approx
matey the laws Of the WHOLE and that the differences
are only OF degree and variety, and not fundamental
that meteor or Grolite is planet, and. conse-
quently, its component parts indicate the structure
ohe earth; that the sun Is the fountain OF our mo-
ton and our life; for that heat light and electricity
are solar emanat0ns directly or indirectly that the
tho ws o. Inc OF orces anu
earthquakes; that the earth stores up any
snpelra1undance Of heat or light In their
correlation TO electricity, and that earthquakes
are caused by the discharge OF this superintendent
electricity in its endeayors TO equaze itself over the
mosphere under the same laws as the Leyden jar.
he having reviewed the igneous condition OF the
globe, In the course OF which he quoted from Baron
Won Reichenbach's great work on the subject Ger
tain physicists asserted that 1t was impossible for
the earth to be magnetic throughout It's mass II it be
1gneous fusion In its INTERIOR as IL was known from
experiment that great heat was incompatible witn
the presence OF magnetism In bodies That objection
was only important SO long the whole contents or
the planet were regarded as law. 1t was generally
admitted that there was igneous condition OF
the earth-at any rate, under the worlds crust
although
Interior and as the earth in cooling or found vents
volcanoes would seem to be easily accounted for. 1t
would be well to draw attention to o fact not much
known, that III all seasons OF the year very few days
ever elapse without an earthquake occurring in some
quakes did not throw up mountain ridges, although
they might cause large districts to suddenly sink.
The number OF asteroids which come near the earth
In the space OF year must be computed to be many
thousands OF millions. These asteroids In approach
, ing the earth have motion. motion becomes
tricity is added TO the store already out in
the earth, which store we receive eternay
Having explained the mode In which electricity may
be turned back again into mechanical NOTION he
proceeded to state that 1t was very evident that
where few rays OF light, polarized by particular
angle OF reflection or refraction, will produce pecu-
. mar o 30 ark and similar to
within the hour out OF the twentyfour It was very
evident that millions OF rays receiving the same
polarization In the same angles, viii produce the
same peculiar effects on more extended scale, no
matter whether they are poarized by rejection
u u
Man s as much planet to this earth as the moon or
any OF the asteroids The laws that apply TO one
apply to ALL 1t had now been shown through the argu-
ment That the universal action OF electricity when
some five and thirty years ago Macintosh and others
showed the electrical theory OF the universe. and
Blackwell wrote upon the applications Of this unver-
sal electrical theory TO man and to all things living
the world treated them with disrespect Those
times are passing away: 1t had also been shown
that the earth receives its share or the universally
pervading electricity and how under certain crcum-
stance 1t throws OH lis superabundance Man is ar
nai nra
by the same agent acting under the same laws.
There are differences OF degree and variety, but
these differences are not fundamental Ex-
actly as the earth drives about and throws down
churcnes, steeples, houses, chairs tables,
ally human individuals so overchareed with
electricity as to do In proporonate degree exactly
Is well as telluric ones. The lecturer concluded by
stating that tnasmuch the greater part of the
paper was composed Of quotations from others
he was not responsible for them, though he heartily
concurred in them, believing electricity to be the
cause OF earthquakes During the course Of the lee
ture the speaker was interrupted by several OF the
audience who considered his views on the matter
1aliacious. discussion ensued, IN which Dr.
larnelle and Professor yanderweyde took part, the
latter holding that the immediate cause or earta-
quakes was steam Alter an interesting debate the
meeting adjourned.
The Ladies' Relief Assocfation-J0hn d.
Cough ON Curiosity.
The announcement that John B. Cough would de-
kyer lecture under the auspices OF the Ladies' Re-
hef Association for the benefit OF the sick and dis
abled soldiers and the widows ana orphans Of those
who died from diseases contracted or wounds
received during the war, caused large and fashion
able audience to assemble at the Cooper Institute
last evening General Sickles, who oficiated as
chairman, introduced the orator Of the evening after
IN but earnest appeal on behalf OF the thousands
Of disabled soldiers now In want OF employment.
Mr.. Cough, who was received with enthusiastic
applause, commenced by regretting that his voice
was somewhat hoarse, but said he would try and
work 1t clear. The committee had selected
"Curostyv as the subject OF the lecture, and
although not q very appropriate one he would do
the best he could with H. Curiosity commences in
the cradle. With the dawnng OF intellect comes
the desire TO know. Children are remarkably
their eagerness FOR knowledge they sometimes put
very awkward questions. Sterne has remarked that
curiosity seems woven IN the frame OF every and
daughter OF Eve. Diyes OF curiosity and the mind
would Goze for ever. Bulwer says:-"It IN q glorious
great deal OF feversh curiosity which Is anything
but glorious. Dr. Johnson said that although know
ledge Is the nursing OF intellect Il Is the child OF
curiosity. Curiosity Is kind OF itch FOR prying into
tie AFFAIRS OF other people, Some men, and women
roo must ask questions Silence is torture to them.
such people are the tunnels OF conversation; they
receive but to pass through. In the course OF his
lecture Mr.. Cough reminded his hearers OF num-
Der OF little stories. The new ones were good and
the old ones were told In such quaint and original
manner that they were equally amusing. BY the
way OF apology lor repeating COAX which was
the appreciatlve MIR. Joseph Miller Mr. Cough SAID:
'iou can't get new stores now unless you make
them, and when you make one other people take II
ana swear you stole IL. We are oil more
or less curious as to the future. few weeks ago
politicians were IN great stateof excitement as 10
who was TO be the next President OF the United States
Many young ladies' put pieces OF bride cakes under
terp pillows In the hopes OF dreaming OF the coming
man." Ignorance and curiosity are the parents or
superstition. No head Ia a perfect vacuum; there
must be something IN IL, anu the more room taken
up with solid things the less room for the ghosts or
things. Our thoughts have no influence on the
future, but our actions VIII. mans:iife should be
measured by his actions not by the number OF years.
in concluding the lecturer addressed himself spe.
cially 10 young men, and exhorted them to direct
their curiosity toward the requirement OF useful
knowledge. The man who lives IN idleness lives in
torment. He may say, IN the words OF Mllton's
Lucifer, (Which way ny Is hell-nyself am he'll"
fmsfzzlEksHT At A BROADWAY JwsLaY ESTABLISHMENT.