The prison mirror. [volume] (Stillwater, Minn.) 1887-1894, 1890-06-05
CHAUTAUQUA.
"Look up and Lift up.''
1--WE study the Word and the Works of Cod"
"I.et us keep our Heavenly Father in the midst. y
"Never be discouraged"

"CHAUTAUQUA COURSE IN PHYSICS. "-Steele
1t is my belief that the law of gravitation was
known thousands of years before the Greek phi
losophers taught it, and that there was more an
cient philosophical (probably Observation-Disclosures
edge is without doubt; as it is known that in
the third generation after Adam, there lived
astronomical philosophers of no meagre talent.
Be that as it may, shall consider gravitational
law as understood in the 18th century. 1t is a
well established fact that gravity is the great
regulating power of universal natural physics.
Every atom, molecule. and their combined masses
of matter are controlled and governed in almost
every form by gravity; which produces revolt
vency. All matter retains its own inertia and
coheres to the original body. except when over.
come by the repellent forces Of the gravity of
other bodies. Gravitation isthe power force.
that causes the entire solar system to maintain
its everlasting equilibrium and symmetrical condi-
ton. 1t causes countless number of bodies to
maintain sperical shape. and a revolving and
cyclic movement; holding every part of each and
the whole toward one grand centre of gravity. No
body of matter loses any of these motions except
by the force of gravity (centrifugaD of other
masses of matter exerted in an opposite direction
to the centre of their own gravity (centripetaD
which causes the body so acted upon, or parts of
it. to move tangentially or become fixed, as many
of the solar bodies are but nearly all, if not ALL
OF the fixed bodies have revolving motion due to
gravitational forces upon the outer portions
toward the centre; together with the gravitationa
power Of other bodies. A good example of this
law is given in sperical and spheroidal bodies as
globes that the tumble bug'' easily transports
with the help of gravity by rolling them. In gases
and OdOrous matter in which the atoms and MOLE
cules are spherical in form, the is entirely
due to the force of gravity acting from the centre
OF every part in all matter known and unrecegniz.
able in the whole animate and inanimate creation.
Specific gravity may be calculated by two princi
pies: first, distance from the centre of gravity;
and second. density of matter. In mechanics
gravity. If we place a lever in an axle. within a
vacuum, pointing directly from the centre of
gravity it will be found to require nearly as much
less power what twice the force of gravity is to
bring the lever downward, than it will upward.
Gravitation in chemical affinity is wonderfully
demonstrated by reducing sea-weed to ashes, al
lowing it to lie and crystaze (crystaline iodine),
and then burning the crystal when it is chemic-
ally transformed into beautiful colors. Here we
see atomic transformation from chemical state
to solidiied matter, and a return to the original
conditions constantly governed by gravitational
law without which the crystal state could not be
produced At some future date 1 may consider
the electrical phenomenon which believe to be
a part of the universal law of gravity.
PELASGUS.