The Portland daily press., 1884-04-29
prof. ChanaIer,s Lecture.

A good sized audience was present at the
Casco street church last evening to enjoy the
astronomical exhibition and scholarly lecture
by Prof. James e. Chandler of Augusta. The
lecturer called the attention of his hearers to
the wonderful advancement in the science
every year, and that every new discovery OPEN
ed the way for more. He briefly adverted to the
exploded theories of the past, and the trans
cendant merit and the truths of astronomy as
now known. Splendid views were projected
on the screen, showing the relative size of the
members of the solar system, the sun spots, the
zodiacal light, and the partial, annular and
total solar ~eclipses. That as visible in Coiora-
do in 1878 was very beautiful and artistic, as
By il, during totally, the red or pink colored
flames called chromosphere and corona pre-
scented a striking and gorgeous appearance. 1t
was during the few precious moments of this
totality that Professor Watson of Ann Arbor
discovered the long sought for Vulcan. A see
tion of The earth's crust was illustrated, ac-
cording to the French Academy of Science.
The various rock strata, the molten internal
condition, the probable thickness of the crust
and the cause Of earthquakes and volcanoes
were presented with clearness and ingenuity.
He stated that probably the great mass of the
earth's interior is solid by intense pressure,
though intensely hot, and that fluid stratum
of unknown extent separated this dense
nucleus from the cool external crust. The re-
markable earthquakes during the past twelve
months, notably of the Mediterranean islands,
Japan, Asia Minor and England, plainly indi-
cate that the period of extensive geologic dis
turbances has by no means elapsed, and that
the process of shrinkage and lateral pressure
of the crust as a result of cooling by radiation
is yet liable at any time to occasion great
catastrophes. We may well feel fortunate
that perhaps no part of the terrestrial surface is
freer from local disturbances than the Atlantic
coast.
The view of the solar system showed all the
planets In motion around the sun, and liz en-
Inent degree that, LIST, all the planets travel
around the central luminary in the same d-
%rection; I'd, they are unequally distant, and,
Sd, they travel at unequal rates o. speed.
These facts form the basis for the nebular by
pothesis. However, in harmony with the laws
of probability and scientific research, the
Theistic bearing of this hypothesis indicates de
sign,and if this be so there must be a Designer,
aud that is the Creator of Revelation.
The grand view of the full moon and its
landscape scenery was specially notable, and
concerning it a matter OF great interest at
present. was mentioned, to wit: That very re-
cent indications of physical disturbances had
been detected by various astronomers. The
huge volcanic crater called Tycho Brahe, is
nearly fifty miles in diameter, and within it is
a small crater with an elevated cone. A few
weeks ago they asserted that this interior one
began to increase in size, until it now is the
hlFhest mountain on the moon. This shows a
physical condition not in harmony with the
generally accepted theory that this body had
lost its heat and become cold and solid from
circumference to centre.
Others interesting matters were treated upon
such as the moons terrestrial influence, the
tides, ~eclipses, fixed stars, etc. and much in.
s~truction conveyed.
The best of attention was given from begin
ming to end. Let all who can do SO attend
this scenic lecture at ST. Lawrence street
church Wednesday evening and Pine street
church Thursday evening,