The Stark County Democrat. [volume] (Canton, Ohio) 1833-1912, 1874-08-06
CHEMICAL SCIENCE

ITS THEORETICAL AND PRACTICAL PRO
GRESS IN A HUNDRED Y.El RS THE Prizes |
TLYCESTENNLAL-DR FAENcE SaflfH
ON.THE PROGRESS 0FINDUSfRLAL CHEN.
IsTR TRY'-aAAfERIcAN contributions TO
CHEHISTRR,Y-In By PROFESSOR siLLlf
NAN FD.I --uD N.-urd t.diD lo
NoRrHuhBERIAED, Pa, July Sis--A magnificent
unclouded day greeted The chemists assembled as
this picturesque spot The loan exhibition was
crowded with eager faces reyeFently bent on me
the suggestive relics Of The great Prleseys philo-
sophleal labOm, Promptly atnine o'clock the large
lecture room In the upper story Of the fine public
school building Of this town was crowded, and
after few minutes Of buEEing anticipation the
meeting was temporarily organized for business
by the appointment Of Dr, H. G, Bolton temporary
chairman. On motion Of Professor 4. n. Horsiord
nominating committee was appointed,who in a
short time returned list of permanent officers,
which was adopted by the meeting.
The President, Prof c. r. Chandler, was eonduc-
ted to the chair by Dr. Joseph Priestey, and after
a few Introductory remarks announced the i'd
dress Of fwelcome by Col. David Taggart, OF North
umberand, Pa, who said that many ages must
come and 20 before the name Of Priestcy will fade
from the memories and records Of his fellow-men.
Like the eagle he built his eyrle upon this noun
tain, inaccessible to vulgar intrusions In an at
mosphere pure and elevated beyond the machina-
tions of human spite and Jealousy and detractfon,
he dwelt, and there made science his mistress and
earned the name which Is to-day talisman to
draw to this quiet place many Of the most renown-
ed knowledge gathereH of the nation, and, the
speaker believed, several from New jersey and
Canada Qaughter). In the name and in behalf
of his nelghbon, Colonel Taggart extended to the
chemists Of America most sincere and unfeign.
ed welcome to the home and grave Of the greatest
discoyerer of his time
DIR, Chandler replied briefly, returning thanks
on behalf Of the chemists to the citizens of North
umberand for their liberal hospitality.
The Committee on Telegraphy reported the fol-
lowing telegram which was approved and order
ed to be sent to Birnlnghamat ut such time as would
most likely reach the chemists then assembled
while in session:
To the Prlestly Memorial Committee, Birming-
ham, d-Northumberland, July 81, 1874, 10
A. M-The brother chemists at the grave to their
brothers ut the home of Priestly send greeting
on the centennial anniversary Of the birth OF
chemistry.
Professory Henry II. Croft, of University College
Torontothen delivered an address ON the life and
labors of Dr. Joseph Priestly, He said'
The materials from which this address was con
structed included Dumas's "Lec0rse sur Ia Philo-
sophie de Chime," published about 1889; kopp's
"Geschchte der Chimie;n Th0msons History OF
CHEMISTRY Lives Of Celebrated Men" BrOug-
hams philosophers of the Reign Of George III
Cuyier's "Eloge"a u critique on Memories OF yo-
seph Priestly,' published in the Edhg6urgh Re
View Of 1906, and written by Jeffrey and various
other biographical sketches, Priestey.s life may
be said to have been twotold or manifold; he was
an ardent investigator of scientific truths-he Was
also an angry pOlemic' and "hery politician.
Few writers have been more volminOus He was
born us Fieldhead, near Leeds, In lIS3, OF very
strict Cayanistic parents and early acquired strong
religious tendencies, but afterwards became some
what Of an Armenian. His power OF acquiring
languages was enormous, and his tenacious mem
Ory rendered him In future years most powerful
antagonist In all these polemical discussions IN
which he was so prone to engage. Professor Croi
enumerated atlength many otthe researches made
by Presty and called attention to the relies O
DIR. Prestey's appanu ut the room OF the loan ex
hibitOn.
Professor Horsford read extracts from some Ori
ginal letters written by Dr. Pricstley to judge
Thatcher, who was at that time member of Con
4 gress and whose home was at Bedford, Me. Judgt
Thatcher was the only individual with whom DR.
IIlcHll NtIluItu Nolltnloliu uPoh oAAlNNf7 VI
political nature. The letters were loaned to Pro
fessor Horslord by Mr.. Charles Dean Secretary o
the Massachusetts Historical Society,"
Professor Leeds called attention to some interes
ting references to DR., Prlestly contained in th'
published memories Of the Columbian Chemica
Society for the year 1873 and especially to yer!
beautiful poetlca tribute to Priestley contained IL
Darwin's Botanic Garden" The extract referred
to occurs in paper on the efectlof light on yege
tables and upon the physiology of leaves, by Dr
Manners, of ofPhiladepha in which the discover!
Of the emission of oxygen from leaves whei
exposed to sunlight Is attributed to DR.. Priest
ley.
In the afternoon session Professor I. Sterry Hun
made an address ON "A Centurys Progress II
Theoretical Chemistry,
After tea the chemists, in company with larg
number Of visitors, were conducted to the cemeter
osee the grave Of DR.. Prestey and to listen to tn
memorial address. The grave of Priestley lies in
pretty spot, the elevated position of which CON
mands view of the towns Of sunbury and North
umberland. A plain marble tombstone marks tn
place Of the great chemists repose, and 0
It the stranger reads this brief and simple ep
nph; ,..rI-
the memory Of the
Revd. Dr. Joseph Priestley,
,,sf,c d.t, rfaH ,fq