The Rutland daily globe. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1873-1877, 1874-12-15
VGAL1LEO.r
Fourth Lecture by DIR. Lord.

| Inc fourth lecture IN tue historical COURSE
by DR.. John Lord was given at the Opera
House last evening to q very fair audience
in point of numbers, considering the Sc
verify Of the weather. and who seemed TO
be deeply interested throughout its delivery.
The subject was "Galileo," and probably
nothing could awaken more interest in the
minds of those present in a subject SO for
eign TO the present and in mau of whom
so little is known, than did this very
eloquent and exhaustive history.
The speaker commenced by referring to
century, in the northern horizon, which re-
manned seventeen months and then dsap-
peared forever. 1t created an immense
sensation, not so much on account of its
appearance but from the. curiosity reused to
find its prophetic meaning. Astrologers
thought it portended the birth of some ex-
traortinary individual, others expected the
arrival of great warrior; and the birth of
Gustavus Adolphus was believed to be her
aided by this star Wise men might have
been guided to the place where Calico was
distinguishing his youth in attempting to
confirm the theory of Copernicus, for that
star might have been the revelation of his
birth.
The nations then presented scene of
pandemonium, in which Calico was born,
and the dawn of new civilization arose
He was born in Pisa in 1864 his parents
were in reduced circumstances, but he was
given fair schooling and gave early pro.
mise of remarkable abilities. His attention
was early arrested in the swinging of the
pendulum in the church and his first in
yention was in making one which would
measure the vibrations of the pulse, after
wards used in measuring time He COM
menced the study of hydrostatc balance
and at the age of 2j, was made lecturer
of mathematics. lie was then fresh. buoy
ant and full of hope; enthusiastic as girl,
thoughtful witty, bold and sarcastic
hateful 20 the priests, fold of pleasures
and yet close student. Directing his in
quiries into the doctrine of Aristotle lie
differed with many in regard to the laws
of gruvitation. In 1899 he resigned his
position and obtained professorship, with
an annual stipend of one hundred and
eighty florins, and the next year he invent
ed a thermometer, although an imperfect
machine. He soon began TO teach the doc
trines Of Copernicus. which were then con-
trary TO the philosophers of that age. His
reputation however increased, his lectures
were crowded and he was invited to return
to Pesa, with his salary increased TO 500
florins. But his truly great career had not
yet commenced. In Venice he heard that
a German named Jensen had invented an
instrument which represented distances
nearer to the eye than natural sight. He
mcdi,ated day and night and at last con-
structed one, a eaden instrument, which
magnifed three times and was regarded as
a wonder. He now thinks of making dis
coverics IN the heavens and accordingly
constructed Il telescope which magnitied
eight times. This he pointed to the moon
and saw what never was seen before lie
makes still another of greater magnfyng
qualities and discovers three littla stars on
the planet Jupiter which move. The
church was utterly COMPOUNDED, doctors
were amazed, while Kepler was full of Joy
An astronomer of Florence denies these
discoveries, saying that us there is only
seven apertures in the head and seven days
in the week how can there be seven
planets Calico is now made the most
marked man in the scientific world. He
continues his observations and in 1911 dis
covers spots upon the sun.
He has now attained his highest ambition
and then begins his misfortunes. His dis
regard for all authorities made him great
many enemies. ALI classes marshalled
against him and entered into an alliance to
ruin him on the ground that he had at
tackled christianity. They laid their COM
plants before the tribunal at Rome and
alarmed the inquistion. This gave him
notice not to teach his doctrines and he
promised to obey. On the accession of
new pope he thought he might issue his
new book, affirming that the world was
round. After two years it appears and at
once raises storm of alarm and ridicule.
The pope is made to become enraged and
Calico is summoned to Rome, at the age
of 70,to appear before the inquisitors none
of whom knew anything of science or
mathematics. Their design is to degrade
him, consign his name to infamy to silence
him and his principles and make him stab
| hyyn n nt mn nrtI,x ,f
his genius and his cause. The Cardinal de-
livers his sentence that Calico be remand
ed to the prison of holy Office and be made
to recite seven penitential sermons once
week. Nor is this all, Tor he is required
to recant the doctrines on which his fame
rests. The timid, iniirm. ife-lovlng
patriot falls. lie loves ease better than
immortal truth. He is not great enough
for hero, but falls on his knees and reads
his apology; he sweals that he believes,
always has believed and always will believe
in every article which the holy, apostolic
Roman church teaches; that he will allure
his cause and detract his error and solemn
ly swears to observe the penances laid upon
them by the holy court. Although he did
whisper aside when lie rose from his knees,
at does move" who cares for that? The
inqusition had gained their object and
taken possession of his soul Yet they
cannot arrest the spread of his doctrines
nor all mankind can prevent the world from
turning or themselves from turning with it.
A parting glance was taken of Calico in
closing the lecture, and an eloquent perora
ton upon the sublime possibilities of the
wonders he unfolded, was given by the
speaker but which we have not the space
to attempt to reproduce.