Daily globe. [volume] (St. Paul, Minn.) 1878-1884, 1879-05-04
THE PROMISE OF LIFE.
Ideality III Science and POtentlality
in Matters.

The fhOMlSE VI LIZ T..
Ideality IN Science and Potentially
in Matters. |
From the Boston Advertiser.
Prot. Pierce closed last evening at the
Lowell Institute his course OF six lee
lures on 'Ideality in Science" The fol-
lowing lecture will be found to be re-
The laws of planetary motion, which
Kepler deduced from the observations OF
Tycho Brahe, are more exact emoodl-
ments of fact than the observations them
selves. But their defect is their want OF
elasticity. They give a precise, an
changed orbit, in which each planet
moves, with a fixed law Of velocity.
There is no recognition Of the disturbing
influence Of other planets. But the com
prehensive mind of Newton asks, Why
should there be limitation in the attract
i've force2 Why should not planet gray
itate to planet2 Why should not every
particle u matter in the universe gravl-
tate to every other particle? Thus is
born the simple potentially which has
opened the way to all problems OF celes-
tai mechanics, to the notions and figures
Of the stars and tidal changes OF figures.
How simple the fundamental idea! and
how com IMPLICATED the details of the theo
ries TO be elaborated! They have alb
sOrbe0 the Iabors of astronomers for the
last two centuries in the observatory at
night, and in the study by night and day.
Statistics do not inform us how many
computers have been engaged in the task,
how many volumes Of logarithms have
been consumed, how many thousands OF
figures have been written down, how
many pens of goose and gold have been
used up; but if each pen were worth
gold mine, If each figure were a golden
thought, if each volume we're the life of
a philosopher, if each computer were a
man Of genius, the whole expenditure OF
material and brain would be insignif-
cant in comparison with the unbounded
domain subjected to the authority of
ideality.
AN ALMOST INCREDIBLE ACCIDENT.
After speaking of the trials Of faith
necessary upon the failure of the planets
to conform to their ideal course in the
heavens, and consequent discovery OF
outside planets as cause of the pe1turba-
tons, Prof. PIERCE told the following re-
markable result of his computations: II
the telescope had failed, the pen of the
igeometer would have detected the dis
turbiDg planet. But Herschel, with his
great telescopes, anticipated the matAe
NAUTICAL computations. Uranus was dis
covered and the theories of the sever
planets were, erelong, presented to as
tronomers by the untir1ng genius O.
Laplace, accompanied by Astronomical
developments grander than new planets
In the attempt to construct tables which
should serve for the prediction of tn
places of the planets, it was ascertaine(
that the irregularities of motion of tn
new outer planet still required the inter
vention of some unseen power. Tw'
great geometers, Independently of eacl
other, computed the elements of a plane
which should reconcile the discrepancies
They conceded in its orbit and position
In the very direction predicted by then
the plaent Neptune was found in conse
quence OF their predictions, and appa1
emily in full confirmation of them. Ner
tune fully accounts for the previous de
fects of the theory of Uranus. and leave
no apparent indication Of the further ez
tension of the solar system. The disco1
cry was an extraordinary achievement
and deserves the wreath Of immortalit
which has beer awarded to Adams an
Leverrier.
Bu' there is a supplement to the stor
which seems Incredible. 1t violate
popular prejudice; it has been wrongful
ly attributed to contemporary jealousy
it would not be introduced here, but it
too pertinent an example of gecmetri
potentiality to be omitted. The observe
planet is quite distinct in orbit and theor
from that which was predicted; and Il
theory of prediction throws no light upo
the actual theory, nor has it any but a
accidental connection with it. It is nt
rare that there are several different DO
siblc causes of an event, and, under tt
influence of incomplete evidence
prejudice, 'he wrong cause has bee
selected. Under the wise administratic
of Justice there has been such skillfo
array OF circumstantial evidence that Il
innocent man has been punished, eve
to the loss of life. To the present ca:
have given critical and laborious il
vestigation. My examination has exten,
ed &c = far wider range of theory than tn
included in the original researches.
have carefully revised the computation
of Adams and Leverrier. find in the
no error, no lack of Judgment. and !
failure of legitimate mode of investig
ton. Nevertheless, I strictly adhere
the correctness of my early statement.
am aware that there are great nam
opposed to me, but their opposition
been the mistaken conclusion of i
digested argument. The time must cor
when personality will disappear; al
nationality sink into oblivion with t
comets which have set forever, and y
must wait for the rendering Of the fir
verdict. My position is that there We
two possible planets. either of viii
might have caused the observed ire
ularities in the motion of Uran,
Each planet excluded the 9th
They conceded in direction frc
the earth at certain epochs, once
six hundred and fifty years. It was
one of these epochs that the predict
was made; and at no other time for
centuries would the prediction of O
planet have revealed the other. The {
served planet was not the predicted o.
1t was excluded through the limitatic
which had been determined by LEVER
himself after a prodiglous outlay of p
found and ingenious search. he
proclaimed the investigation of the lin
as essential to the full solution of /
problem. It was its larger moiety a
most intricate potion, and he had wort
ly solved it. 1t is incredible that
great master could have consented
abandon his choicest production 8