The Portland daily press., 1872-02-15

REV. MIR. BOLLES' LECTURE ON THE MI
MISUNDERSTANDING the unfavorable state
of the weather last evening there was very
| good audience present at Fluent Hall to listen
to the first of Rev. Mr.. Boles' series of lectures
on the microscope. We say Introductory, for
though it was complete in itself, this lecture is
| to be followed by others, and belongs to a
| course, as explanatory of an instrument upon
which the result of the succeeding ones depend.
After a short introduction the speaker proceed
ed to explain the principles of the formation of
the microscope, and illustrated them by famil-
lar optical facts. The refraction of rays of
light was next treated of by means of diagrams;
the forms and offices of lenses shown; particu-
larly in the reception andiformation of objects
on the retina of the eye; and the microscope it
self was then examined. To Leenwenhock, a
native of Delft, Holland, who was born in 1862,
was ascribed the honor of introducing the mi
croscope to public attention. Many of the dis
coveries made by this profound student of ma
ture have been preserved; and copies of some of
his drawings were shown upon the screen, COM
prising investigations into lower animal life,
and vegetable productions. The compound mi
croscope next claimed attention; and following
this the achromatic lenses, the invention of
Chevaler, French philosopher, Discussing
the mechanicism of microscopes. Mr.. Bolles
paid marked compliment to American manu-
facturers, saying that in optical instruments the
makers of the United States lead those of Eng
land and France. He denounced the cheap in
struments which are put on the market at a
nominal price, "capable of magnifying several
= nd Il cWipd1ac is
the power of bringing out and sharply defining
the object that gives the instrument its value,
though its magnifying power may be compare
lively small. This point was demonstrated by
twin pictures produced by means of different
instruments The lecture was rapid success
ion of diagrams, photographs, microscopical
preparations and living objects thrown upon
large screen with powerful calcium and electric
lights, which rendered the subject not only inter-
estng but vastly instructive. To the most unskill
ed mind these lectures will be of great value,
and we hope to see more general attention
paid to them in the future.
LIBERAL DoNATIoNs.-The India street Uni
versalist society, as is well known in this COM
munity, have beeu making hard, self-sacritic-
ing struggle to establish a church in the most
ancient part of the city; and their efforts have
been sngularly successful. The church, both
interiorly and .exteriorly, is nearly finished,
and the vestry now only needs completion, as
a matter of immediate necessity. The society
and the public at large, can afford to wait for
the building of the tower and steeple. Inter-
ested friends, as well in and out Of the city,
have kindly assisted this society in donating
sums, in small and large amounts, to aid the
work in their hands, Mr.. Theodore Johnson
one of our best wood carvers, who is doing
much of the nice work in this city in his line,
received an order from the building committee
to make the pulpit After diminishing the job,
Mr.. j. generously made a gift of his skillful
work to the church. A lady residing on Spring
street, who desires to be nameless, has lately
rendered donation to the church organization,
which will soon be formed, of handsome sill
yer communion service, suitably marked. A
gentleman ON Exchange street has just given a
silver pulpit cup. and lady residing in Brooks
has sent a generous gift of twenty-five dollars
All these kind donations, as well as many 9TH
ers, are received in the same spirit in which
they are given, and they afford happy test of
Christian regard and sympathy, as many out
side of the denomination are numbered among
the contributors A vigorous effort is now to
be made to finish the vestry, SO that the large
and earnest working Sunday school may soon
get into it. And if any feel friendly to the in
teresting cause of the religious education of the
children, land the work of Sunday schools is
substantially one among all denominations,) a
favorable opportunity is afforded to the gener-
Gus and the religiously inclined to aid in this
good work. EH Is