Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1874-07-31

DR.. PRIEsrLEY AND OxYGEN.-We last weeb
gave a biographical sketch of the life of DR.
Priestley, the discoverer of Oxygen. Since then
the Philadelphia Press gives the same sketch III
substance, and concludes as follows in relation
to the great discovery, and the eminent man to
whom science owes SO much:.
''We have purposely omitted from the forego-
ing sketch of his life any mention of the great
discovery which has won for Priestley undying
fame-the discovery of oxygen gas. This de-
mands separate notice, and we only regret that
such notice must of necessity be brief. Up to
his time the belief was universal that atmOsphe-
ric air was homogeneous and undecomposabe
body, and that all gaseous substances were mere
ly atmospheric air in vitiated form. 1t was
this vast illusion, which any schoolboy now
would laugh at, but which then obtained
throughout the entire philosophic world, that
Pricstly with the clear light of scientific search
eflectually dispelled. Flowing from his first
discovery, he made the second of scarcely less
! importance that atmospheric air deprived of its
| oxygen by being taken into the lungs is rechang
/ ed by the Introduction into it Of any vegetable
matter on which is allo we'd to act the rays of the
sun. That is, he discovered the great law Of ma
ture which makes the life of animals and the
life of plants mutually dependent. No greater
scientific discovery than this has ever been made.
Newton's of the law of gravity being alone its
peer. Chemistry, metaphysical physioiogy-at
best but tumble of words-and even medicine,
were completely overturned and started afresh
upon a new basis, while an impetus was given to
scientific investigation that has lasted out full
century, and which during that time, so far from
diminishing. has steadily increased in force.
The coming first day of August will be the cen
tennial anniversary of Priestley's great discove-
ry, and on that day the chemists of America will
assemble at Northumberland. at Priestley's
tomb to do honor to his memory. Meet is it
that such gathering should be, meet that his
merit should be recognized not that the ashes
in the grave by the Susquehanna will be the bet
ter or worse for such honor being done them, but
that we ourselves, who are intellectually stron-
ger and wiser for the great discovery which
Priestley made, may thus fifty evidence our gra-
titude to him as, unconscious Of our homage, he |
there sleeps until the day when he will waken in |
''eternal happiness"
The following will be the order of the exer- |
cses at the Centennial, on Friday, July 31st, |
and Saturday, August 1st, 1874:
FRIDAY MORNING.
Organization of the meeting at the school |
house at 9 a. m.
Address of Welcome by Col. David Taggart, of |
Northumberland, Pa.
Reply by the President of the meeting.
Music.
Appointment of Committees, Reading Of Let
tiers and general business.
sketch of the Life and Labors Of DR.. Joseph |
Priestley, by Prof. Henry II. Croft, Of Toronto,
Canada.
Music.
On adjouming the Chemists will visit the
Priestley mansion, where they will be photo
graphed, (weather permitting.)
AFTERNOON.
Meeting at p. H., at the school house.
4 review of the century's progress in Theoret-
ical Chemistry, by Prof. T. Sterry Hunt of Bos-
ton, Mass.
4 Review of the century's progress in Indus
trial Chemistry, by Prof. J. Lawrence Smith, of
Louisville, Ky.
At p. m, the assembly will meet in the park
and afterwards proceed to DIR. Prestley's Grave,
where IN address Will be delivered by Prof. Jo-
scph Henry; Of Washington, d. c.
sATURDAY.-''oXYGEN DAY.
Meeting at the school house at 9 n. m.
Music.
An Essay on American Contributions to Che
nistry by Prof. Benjamin Silliman, of New Ila-
zen, Conn.
Sundry Addresses.
At 3 p. M, an Excursion vii! be made to the
ummt of Blue Hill, whence is a magnificent
Jew of the surrounding country.
y. B.-A Loan Exhibition for displaying ap-
)aratus, books, manuscripts, etc., belonging to
Dr.. Priestley, ard other objects illustrating the
history of Chemistry, will be open to the public
N Friday and Saturday from a. m: to u NJ,
md , p. m. to p. M. 1t is located in the old
,anking room in the house of Mr.. Joseph Bird.