The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-05-01
THE EARTH,s CRUST.
Vast storehouse From which Man Supplies
lila Wants.

A very large audience, composed of profes-
sors and their families, students and friends
of Richmond College, greeted Professor
Clarke, of Boston, in the college chapel last
evening.
II was the first in the annual series Of
Thomas memorial lectures. and these lectures
always draw large crowds.
Professor Clarke has already been intro
duced 10 the readers of The inns. tie was
presented 10 the audience last evening III a
neat speech by Professor Winston.
This course Of lectures, Professor winston
said. is a boon 20 the community, and q
worthy monument 10 the we'll known practi-
cal wisdom and sagacty OF the noble man
whose name Il bears.
This Is the fourth series of these lectures.
The first was on the oldest OF the sciences,
astronomy: the second on the youngest, BIZ
OlOgy and the third showed how 10 appreci-
ate some oi the worlds masterpieces OF Az,
and now the study j. the earth, the vast store
house OF which man draws the materials WITH
which to supply his wants.
As "A trustworthy guide in this study PROBES
sor Winston sad he was glad u introduce
Professor Clarke a learned chemist and COM
petent scientific investigator.
Professor Clarke in introducing his snDlect,
"The Chemistry of the Earth's Crust re-
minded his audience that nature, like man,
does her grandest work without making much
noise or display.
The crust Of the earth is quite thin in com
parison with the entire sphere, and yet 1t IS
the only part OF the earth that can know
ANYTHING about with certainty.
The thickness Of this shell with which we
are acquainted is about ten miles, extending
from the SUBMITS Of the highest mountains 70
the lowest bed OF the ocean.
OF the mass contained in this ten miles Of
crust, 80 per cent. IS rock and 3 per cent.
ocean
We are familiar with some Of the elements
constituting this mass such as iron. copper,
sulphur. SC. and 10 some extent we are fainll-
1877 with gold.
The Atlantic ocean contains gold enough 10
nav our national debt but IN order TO get II
out would have TO spend much larger
amount than the debt. =,
We can penetrate TO only inconsiderable
depths when compared TO the whole mass OF
the globe.
The deepest artesian well in the world is at
Leipzig, Germany, and is B. 700 feet deep. At
Wheeling, w Va, is an artesian well 400
feet deep. and the people Of Wheeling aye
anxious TO make 1t deeper, 50 as to nave the
deepest well in the world.
Some of the elements that seem quite com
mon, such as copper and lead. are really very
rare in comparison with many others.
Professor Clarke showed a specimen OF
aluminium, a metal that j very abundant III
ores, but so difficult 10 obtain III pure state
that it is not extensively used.
If it should become cheap it will no doubt
displace many Of the common metals for
various purposes. 1t Is only One-thlrd as
heavy as IRON and does not rust.
The lecturer reviewed briefly the modern
theories in regard 10 the origin Of the earth's
crust
The nebular hypothesis, or the theory that
the planets. including tn, earth, were formed
by the cooling and condensation OF gaseous
matter, is generally accepted.
Experiments were used showing the readl-
ness with which the elements composing the
earths crust combine with one another.
The interior of the earth IS believed by
some TO be solid and by others 10 be IN a
liquid state, as shown by molten matter
thrown up by volcanoes
Lord Macauey said that truth is neither
white nor black, but gray; 50 the truth IN re-
ference to this matter is probably between
the two extremes; i'm other words, the lnte-
rior of the earth is probably partly molten and
partly solid.
The next lecture, on Tuesday evening next,
will deal with mineral veins and mineral
waters
Professor Clarke is a pleasing and instruc-
tive lecturer, and produced a fine impression.
Mayor Ellyson and number of other prom
inent men from the city were in the audience.
Professor l.. r. Hamberlin will give one OF
his delightful readings III Lynchburg this
evening.
Messrs Harry S. Corey. S. J. Young and J.
G. Harwood will represent Richmond College
in the May Festival Chorus, which is pro-
nounced by competent critics the best chorus
Of the kind ever organized in this city. The
first two named are second tenors and the
last is second bass.
The Lombardy Literary Circle will meet this
afternoon at $50 O'Clock at the residence Of
Professor Winston The subject for discus
sion will be the life and writings of Washing
ton Irving.