The morning call., 1891-07-04
Interesting Lecture by President
Jordan.
The Ascent and Dangers Of the Matterhorn
Graphically Described.
Geology Of The Stars Depicted by Professor
Dickinson" Talk About Fools"
by DR.. Henson.
Special to THE MORNING CALL.

PACIFIC GROVE, July 3.-When Presi-
dent Jordan of the Leland Stanford Jr.
Ascent of the Matterhorn" last evening
the hour was too late TO send an extended
report. Professor Jordan is tall, we'll
built man, weighing something over 200
pounds, and apparently about forty years
of age. His manner is pleasing, and his
style of delivery is plain and to the point,
his description of the perilous ascent of the
mountain having in it vein of humor
which greatly pleased the audience The
lecturer gave an account of the many at
tempts TO conquer the Matterhorn, and then
described the pleasures and dangers of the
journey from the experience of himself and
five other gentlem EN-, who comprised a party
that made the ascent Two large canvas
pictures of the Matterhorn were used, on
which the speaker pointed out the routes
followed by other parties as well as his
own. The great danger to climbers lies in
the looseness of the rocks OF the mountain.
Every cloud seen lowering about the higher
paw 10 q ohOh Stplhit uiio hiOH lHO hNPOi
disappears the mountain is seen to be clad
in fresh mantle of snow. The Burning
sun shining on the snow causes it to melt,
and as the water flows into the crevasses in
the rocks it freezes, and during this process
the expansion of the ice forces the rocks
apart and gradually parts of the mountain
come umbling down. The shape of the
Matterhorn is constantly changing.
In returning, the partyiof which Professor
Jordan was member was overtaken by the
outer edge of an avalanche. He heard the
rumbliug sound of rocks behind. and then
with whiZ one passed over and unpleas-
antly close to his head. Professor Gilbert,
who was one of the party and occupied a
place on the rope below, looked back to see
what was coming and a rock which passed
The others struck him in the face. dashed him
from his feet and but for his being attached
TO the others would probably have caused
fatal accident. Professor Jordan said that
the first thought that passed through his
mind was how fortunate it was that he was
not struck instead of Professor Gilbert.
There are two cabins on the Matterhorn
where climbers find shelter, and when the
upper retreat was reached with the injured
man, whose face and eyes had become so
swollen that he could not see, some of tine
party went on for assistance while he and
others remained TO care for Professor Gill
bert. The entrance TO the cabin is Through
hole just large enough for man TO crawl,
and the contents consist of some blankets,
Il pile OF straw and few ShavingS, a coffee
pot, etc, but in order to keep Professor
Gilbert warm two men had to lie down with
him-one on either sde-and even then in
the extreme cold their bodies threw off more
heat than they generated, aud when day
II tNf ANN half a
arise. This was the only serious mishap of
the trip, but many minor ones served to
make the experience one never TO be for
gotten.
The lecturer told of an incident which oc-
CURED at the close of the same lecture de-
livered in one of the Western States last
autumn. He noticed an old farmer who
had entered after the lecture begun an d
had advanced to the front of the hall, where
he found seat. The farmer seemed IN
satisfied with the narrative; there was
something lacking, and as the lecturer Iin-
ished his story the tiler of the earth asked
from his seat, what the devil did you 90
up thar for?" With Professor Jordan it is
the same as with all other men who are
known as mountain climbers. There Is a
fascination about 1t which is almost unex-
piaina6e. desire when one gets up to an
unusual height to 60 further, a desire which
increases until 4 determination is reached
to gain the highest point at all hazards.
Alter inc lecture many OF the audience
passed the platform, where they were in
trOduced by Rev. DIR. Bentley and shook
the hand OF the President of the future
great university of the West
This morning Professor Jordan addresses
the School of Methods on "PedagOgics."
Preceding the lecture Miss Josie Hazen of
Santa Clara entertained the audience with
solo, The Alpine Horn" accompanied
on the piano by Miss Margaret w jthe of
Oakland
PROFESSOR DICKINsoN's LECTURE.
This afternoon at 3o'clock Professor Dick
inSon lectured on the Geology of the Stars"
HIS first. after rapid reference to the tools
and methods Of the geologist. described the
tools and methods of investigation used BY
him who would know thu history, constitu-
tion ami DEVELOPMENT of the nebula and
stars. Following brief survey of the
nebular hypothesis of Laplace came more
extended account of the later researches Of
Norman Lockyer and his co-laborers in the
domain of cometary, mete6ritlc and stellar
evolution. showing the identity of materials
and processes throughout tile universe,
whether OH the earth or in the heavens.
Beginning with the study of fragment
of fallen meteor by means OF the electric
are, the spectroscope ard the photograph,
and comparing the results with those OBJ
tanned by similar study of heavenly bodies,
the evolution of the system was followed
from the condition OF the primeval fire.
mist through successive stages to cooled
and solid earth. The lecture was fitting
successor to the former lectures on geology
giving the student more comprehensive
and consecutive view of the history. chemi-
cal and physical, of the evolutionIof the uni
verse.
2. S. Henson, DID,, of Chicago arrived
on late train this evening in time TO lee
tnre to the assembly on Fools" DIR.
Henson is represented to be one of the most
remarkable speakers on the platform, and
crossed the continent especially to address