Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1869-09-02

HI sary TO use the term oaloric when heat
l wss supposed to be fluid, and in the same
way Prof Weyds thinks that the term
; electricity means nothing really. Blu,
the principal proof which the Professor
! adduces is BY showing that while rarified
air is . very good conductor Of electricity.
, . perfect vacuum is no conductor at al.
This is proved BY extracting the
air from glass tube through which
. disconnected wire has been passed.
In the rareded air the electric spark
jumps across when the ends of the wire
are twenty inches apart, while in the
vacuum the spark does not pass distance
of the eighth Of an inch, and from this
experiment the Professor dednces the fact
that matter 10 necessary for the existence
and CONJUNCTION of electricity, Just as air
il necessary fnr the existence and con-
duction of sound. When there is no me-
dunn there is no transmission, aud q
Yacuqm il an atsolHte nop.oonduptor. :.
Professor Van der Wsyds advanced the
hypothesis that electricity is a form Of
rotstory motion of molecules Of matter on
their axes, while heat 10 a vibratory mo-
ton. When we say electricity is force
we offer no explanation. Force is only
matter in motiopso .rnd Prot. Van der
Weyde asserts that force cannot exist
separSte from matter. He thinks
magnetism In only the cohesive force OF
/ In H. L.
necessity Of matter for the transmission of
electricity, the passage Of electricity
through rarifed air il seen TO produce q
sort Of diffused halo, and therein il .
probable explanation Of the Aurora Bore
alis, which is thought to be the motion OF
electric currents in the rarefied Arctic
atmosphere.
| An interesting discussion followed.
AFTERNOON sEssIoN-sECTIoN d.
| At the afternoon session, which was
called to order ut 3 o'clock. Prof. Oh. Fred.
Hart read an interesting paper on "Bra-
gillian Drift" upon which remarks were
made by Prof. Agassiz and others.
A GENERAL SESSION
vas held in the Tabernacle Church at
O'Clock, to complete the business Of the
Association. A number of resolutions !
we're read and adopted, three gentlemen
elected to msmbsrship. and several
speeches made. On the Offering Of . res
olution expressive of oommsndation for
the conduct Of M. Peabody in his mag
nifceut endowmcnts, Prof Agassiz arose
and said
REMARKS OF PROF. AGAssIz.
Members of the Association IL had
intended to say few words in support Of
the resolution which has been offered
concerning Mr.. Peabody and the institu-
tion he hss topaded. but my mouth is
closed. I have neither thoughts nor
words left. You have coupled my name
in such manner with . man who de-
serves the thanks Of humanity, that it II
impossible for me 70 say what had
thought Of saying exospt under . prss-
sure which cannot yet control. Bot
trust shall be able to say few words
which will show that tho great mind, the
large. broad soul which hiss thought Of
tho poor, aud has given them . oomforta-
bls home, has acted with great wisdom In
founding these intslloctusl benefits. The
results which have bsen already obtained
by tho Peabody Academy 70 farther psr-
hap. than my friend who hiss suggested
them imagined, far-sighted ~ his great
and comprehensive mind has presented
tho subject, and wsnt that the citizens
Of Salem, under whose eyes this institu-
tios IL 70 grow in tho fsturs, 70 realize to-
day what embryo they arc rearing, and
what 10 likely 70 be tho hnal resultant Of
that intellectual being. Its beneficial In
auence in tho munity cannot fail IN
b. very far spread, for, from what We
have heard here with reference 10 the
plan adopted. SEQ In that plsn somsthing
which will dispsl the obsoarity stili re-
manning in the community concerning .
thing about which We sre eli interested,
our future eternal life, yet Of which We
do not dare to speak because that which
We should have to say goes contrary to
some Of the long-cherished convictions
With which the community is imbued,
holding to them AZ sacred doctrine when
we must know they are false. see how
great is that teaching which is to be given
in all the schools by these young gentle
men when they begin new era in that
popular education which We are 20 proud
and which yet is . routine teaching in
comparison with what the study OF ma
ture may make elementary education
and think that in this the benefit Of the
foundation Of the Peabody Academy III
already felt and that il win bring fruits
which will become palatable and beued- |
dial, not only for intellectual growth, but
I dare venture 70 say for tho true morsi
growth of the community, which mast
rise on higher level Of morality because
il win be enlightened, intelligent culture
and not mere blind devotion. The neat
great bsne6t which is flowing from tbss
and IL 10 Aow moro richly IN
the future, IL the scientific advanosDsnsl
which is being made, and being made n |.
. manner, let me ssy, which adds TO thsi
valaa Of this meeting Of our .Aasociation.
The snbjeets which have bsea ealtivsta4 J!
here are sueh = bsiag ifuit that vtA !.
show thsjr vslns. and II there b any ~
No in thsss sabyolosioal iavssegefsoes' |;
thsv 70 me- have nsvss haa snsthsr ths1l
ths iaet that every sage Of growth q Fl;
hiRhse aninal II t. infaecy y ths rsQes q
sanitation Of dsvslopsd naind - sSsstf
49, .4t.I ~,
At the oonoludaa q Bod As.s'a.' -