Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1869-05-20

we do this we can get no knowledge of
direction. Now, in obtaining direction
we must take some fixed point to start
from, and the North star appears to be
designed for that purpose. With the po-
lar star as north, the opposite direction Is
south. and facing the north your right
hand would be east and left hand
west; thus simply are the four cardinal
points obtained. Then by secting each
of these cardinal points the semi-cardi-
mails are obtained.
Mr.. Rankin then went on and showed
how to find the secondary and tertiary
cardinals and the laws by which their
designations are made, according to the
astronomical theory, or as sailor would
say, he boxod the compass for 'em.
The next question discussed was the
shape of the earth, and the Secretary gave
the following evidences that the earth is
spherical in form:
Ist. The lnnar eclipse is always cireu-
ar in form.
2d. Ships sailsng in all directions,
bring their masts into view first.
This proves that the sel is spherical.
Now, in reference to the land, we must
look for further evidence, and one Of the
strongest evidences iii favor Of the globu-
lar form OF the earth, is that the higher
you 20 above the surface Of the earth, the
, -, l.. ttn taH
that the north star raises ns we so north,
proves tho earth to be spericnl, and so OF
all other consultations raising higher AS
YOU advance toward them. Again, the
the portion of the earth we can
see at any point, are circular IN
shape And farther evidence is the fact
that vertical lines from the earth are not
parallel These evidences, with the fact
that the earth Is known to revolve on its
axis and the an alogy Of all other heaven
ly bodies, that We know OF being spheri-
cal, are sufficient to convince any person
of ordinary intellig snce, that the theory
that the earth is a globe, is the true theo-
ry, and though other evidences might be
mentioned, 10 more than this viii probab-
ly ever be- called for.
For many years there was a dispute
among astronomers "a to the exact shape
Of the earth, but il is now generally agreed
that the earth Is not perfect sphere. Mr..
Rankin then recounted the evidences,
showing that the earth Is not perfect
sphere, but that its polar diameter is less
than its equatorial diameter, among which
were the fact that the attraction of gravi-
tation at the equator Is less than at the
poles, causing clock carried from the
equator to the poles to gain time. The
analogy of other planets and several other
arguments were then presented, as a re-
suit of which the scientific investigation
demonstrates that the earth's diameter is
about 3 miles less from pole to pole than
through the equator
The relations Of the earth 10 the sun
were next discussed. aud it- three mo-
lions commented upon, and the necessary
production Of day and night by its rota-
tion on it, own axis. He then treat ed in
detail the fact Of the earths inclination
Of 2ji degrees from pcrpcndicVlar and
the consequences Of that inclination
Tho ccliptie was fully discussed. with
its nature, inclination, and purpose. The
tropical and polar circulars were cx-
planned. and the manner in which their
location w,z determined fully discussed
aud tho whole question of latitude and
longitude explained, aud the proper
method Of teaching the objects and pur
poses OF the artificial divisions of the
earth's surface reviewed.
The Secretary then commented upon
the ANIMAL course Of the Garth around the
sum aud stated that this course forms an
elipse. lie gave definition Of an clipec,
and referred fully to the evidences Of the
annual motion of the earth around the
sun, and the deviation of light from
right line.
Mr. Rankin's lecture was very elaborate
in its details, and WAS listened To with
strict attention, aud many Of the posi-
tions being new, and the evidence given
to support the positions taken was SO pow
erfully put and was SO convincing, that
the discourse made very marked i'm
preston upon the teachers and audience
present.
Want of space prevents our giving any
of H., -,
this issue. We shall prepare and publish
tomorrow morning an abstract of the ad-
dresses of Professors James Johonnet,
Judah III. Dana, Rev. L. w Olmstead,
and the lecture of Secretary Rankin last
evening upon the question of Women's
Rights The proceedings of the Institute
to-day will appear in these columns as
soon as the minutes can be prepared for
the press, and we can find room for it.
We have never attended an Institute
where so large an attendance of teachers
was obtained. and all appear to be
highly intereste in the proceedings If
there is single individual in Rutland
County who believed the present system
of holding teachers institutes useless, and
has faith that the old system of Grad
grind and the birch rod superior to the
enlightened teaching of this age, we hope
to see that individual at East Wallingford
to-day, to look upon the present race of
school teachers in this county, and after
listening to the powerful dissertations Of
Johonnet, Dana and others, and
then go from there either convinced that
school teaching is progressive science, or
as shining example of the failure of the
teachings of the past to develop the very
moderate amount Of reason used in his
original composition.
The examination of teachers for Insti-
tute certificates will be holden this morn
ing at nine o'clock, at the school house.