Seattle daily post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, W.T. [Wash.]) 1881-1888, 1885-02-01

The University Chapel was well filled
Friday evening by the Chautauqua
readers and their friends and those in
terested in the course Of lectures being
given by Prof. johnson and Prof.
Curme. A. 7;.,s5 the meeting was called
to order, and after some preliminary
statements concerning the satisfactory
condition Of the libraries by Mr.. Pierce,
and q song led by Prof. Lee and Miss
Ward. Prof. u. b. johnson proceeded
TO expl in the chemical nomenclature
of the present day. giving short rules
by which 20 distinguish the various ter
limitations given 10 Substances such as
" ates and ides.n " ,rl aad " 0gS, ~
showing how exactly the seience OF
chemistry shows substances 10 mix with
each other by laws which never vary,
enabling Us 10 systematize oar kuowl-
edge upon few cardinal principles.
fhe elements always unite in definite
proportions, which may be easily traced
by the chemist. The Law of chemical
condensation of gases was oarefu lly ex.
claimed, and those who are studying
that branch received some valuable
formula, the meaning of which we're
too technical to be thoroughly uader-
stood by the unsophistieateu nearer.
The monads "dyads.n :" triads -
and tetrods were carefully analysed,
showing great Law in nature control
ling the action of every gas in its union
With solids.
while the basis of chsmical laws is
from its very nature q matter of much
stretch of faith, the atom being alto
eether too small for any practical pnr-
poses; too minute TO bs traced by the
stronges; microscope, yet the theory
stands 30 squarely aHd rises so consist
emily thai the world generally accepts
IL AZ knowledge, thoagh IL is, and ever
must remain. like the fundamental es-
ssnee Of matter, mind ana deity, IN
knovn 10 humanity.
The next lecture, on Water and its
Constituents" will be Of more pfacti.
cal nature, within the grasp of all
bearers.
After a humorous recitation by Iryiag
Alvosd. on the Dutchman's Dog
which shook up the audience for uew
deal. Professor Curme presented Plato
as the prince Of philosophers, the deep
est and keenesf human mind ever mani
Tested among men.
Taking up the crude coeitatious of
Thaies. Aoaximander and other Greeks,
who were Just masking 10 the con-
soioesuess OF self and notice. who had
derived all from air, or sea, or number,
Socrates had started on q new line as
he attacked the sophists OF his time
with prying questions that revealed
their ignorance. He was disgnsted al
their sophisms, aud, FIRST of all. Greeks
declared the inaltenable rights Of hn.
manity. Who are these, says he, who
propose to ie0islate for the nation with
out knowing the funaamental Laws of
Just ce. Plato took up his masters
philosophy wrote bis dialogues. With
Socrates as chief speaker talked a. no
other Greek ever q uld. bursting out Ia.
perfect flashes OF eloquence, traced all
power 20 God. proves the immortality OF
the soul. 20 the great happiness of Cato,
TO deliver himself from Caesars grasp.
suranca that be shall never die.
Demosthsnes, asked 20 recant bis po-
sition, says Hoouy, read Plato pre-
fer q noble death TO an isneble hfe."
Plato sssms 10 have removed all
doubt concerning the future life. No
other man before Christ ever esne 80
near the truth in his thought He
placed God Of lovs above all other
llivlnittes, and placed ~ the highest
aim Of man the development Of true
hearts, true dispositions. loving life
Balm declares his philosophy the
grandest faes IN history aside from
Christianity. MAcaulay, q most ad-
verse sritis, places NO man before Pluto.
t,us charges his thought with coming 10
she cloads 10 dreaminess John Stuart
Mil declares that no gave = greater i'm.
petus TO philosophy than has been given
hy the world sincs bis day.