Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1888-03-24
SUN AND OTHER STARS
PROFESSOR YoUEGs LECTURE AT RICH
M0ND COLLEGE, LAST NIGHT.
A Splendid Audience and an Entertain
ing and Instructive
Address.

The inaugural lecture OF the Thomas
course at Richmond College was oil
that could have been desired. A large
and brilliant audience OF the most intel
lectual of Richmond 'ssons and daughters,
together with quite a number from
abroad, assembled in the beautiful
Thomas Memorial Hall. Seats were
provided for about eight hundred, and
less than fifty Of them were unoccupied.
Ministers, judges, lawyers, teachers
physicians, and businessmen were all
alike interested in the sun as the source
Of nearly all power on earth. while the
fairer portion OF the crowd were de-
lighted 10 learn more of the great orb
that paints the lilies and lends some Of
its brightness to their own eyes and
checks.
The manner Of Professor Young is
conversational and didatic, lighted up
with the pleasant flow of genial humOr.
He seemed no less pleased with the large
and apprecistive audience than they were
charmed by his simple and instructive
discussion.
His lecture was profusely illustrated by
n large number of Photographic and
other pictures, thrown upon a twelve
foot screen by the use of a calcium light.
INTRODUCTORY.
Professor Winston presided with his
usual grace ard introduced the lecturer
! by saying:
Ladies and Gentlemen, The occasion
on which We meet tonight is one Of no
ordinary or ephemeral interest.
We are here under auspices the most
favorable to inauguIate the lectures which
will henceforth be annually delivered
under the Thomas Lecture Endowment.
The lifelong friend Of this institution,
whose honored name is inscribed over
the portal of this splendid hall, has yet
| his representatives, among us who are
mindful of bis watchful care for the
wants Of the college and emulous of his
munifcent liberality. Nor have they
failed TO manifest in this new benefac-
tion that practical sagacity which was so
eminently his characteristic. For we
may even tonight see what year by year
will still more appear-that, for college
and community alike, an endowed
lectureship like this is boon of high
est value
But let me be more specific. First,
then, for those of us who have to do
directly with the work of instruction at
the college-the actual tOilers in the
field of knowledge-sucb lectures must
widen the scope and range Of work, and
bring new minds and new thoughts to
quicken and elevate our intellectual life.
In this view, may not then congratu-
late you, my fellow-workmen, students,
and professors, alike, upon this new adj
dition TO our collegiate equipment?
Again | am reminded how well such
lcctureship is adapted to promote that
fraternal intercourse and comfy which
We would fam cherish Tor all our sister
! colleges. and for educational institutions
OF every grade. We are honored tonight
/ by the presence OF many worthy repre-
| sentatives OF such institutions, and to
one and all we extend an appreciatiyc
and Ii cordial welcome. Applause
And yet, again, these lectures will surely
bring, year 10y year, the college and the
community into relations most agree
able and mutually most profitable.
As my eye runs over this vast assem-
hhge 1 see before and around me men
OF note, men of official and social and
business prominence, whose visit to
these academic shades to taste with us
the first fruits of this our new tree of
knowledge Is happy augury Of good to
us all. And would be no true collegian,
no fit exponent OF these gallant youths.
if / did not add that our happiness finds
its climax in the fact that our hall is
brilliant tonight with the faces of those
not lnen-whose presence Is ever our
highest inspiration and whose smile our
most coveted reward. Applause.
For this opening course it was fitting,
think. that science should furnish the
theme. Among the sciences there was
none worthier than the oldest and the
grandest science of the heavens.
in all the range of astronomy there was
no nObler object of our contemplation
than "the powerful King of Day -
prime motor of all earth material aclivi-
ties, the great and glorious sun-and
this will be the theme tonight.
For such a theme, on such an occa-
sion, it was appropriate that one should
be chosen who in all that pertains to
the sun is a recognized authority one
who by his own investigations has
borne no unimportant part in the recent
advance in our knowledge of solar ply
sizes; one whom American science has
been proud to designate as its repre-
sentative; one who in word finds easy
place among the great astronomers of
the world
Ladies and gentlemen, present to you
Professor Charles A. Young, of Prince
ton. n. j., who will now address you.
[Applause.I
The Lecture.
In 4Lo ,,rnfntnrv mart Of his lnnl11re