The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1891-03-04
MACHINE ELECTRICITY"
PROFESSOR WINSTON DELIyERs An
INsTRUCTIVE LECTURE.
Large Audience to Hear Him in the Rich
mond College Chapel In Despite Of the Bad
weatber-Many Instructive Points on the


mond College Chapel In Despite Of the Bad
weather-Many Instructive Points on the
Subject.
Richmond College might almost have been
said to have been snow-bound last night.
The streets were slushy and ina miserable con-
dition, and a rain was falling continually.
Indeed. the weather was 80 threatening, and
walking in the neighborhood so bad that at one
time during the evening IL was thought wise to
postpone the lecture on Machine Electricity
advertised TO be delivered by Professor Charles
II. Winston.
Rather. however, than disappoint those who
had been anticipating an evening OF instruction
Professor Winston decided to speak. even
should his audience be small but this was moi
the case. for the college chapel was well-hlleu
with prominent people Of klchmond, among
whom were large number or ladies'. Ihose
who were brave enough to venture ont such
night were more than compensated Tor the IN
convenience 10 which they were subjected by
reason of the rough weather. ,
Among those III the audience were Dr Dlcklh-
son, Dr. Upper. Mr. John 6. Williams, Pfoie'-
sor Hoycy, Professor Teiit, Mr. Henry EXall' MI
X. ". Powers, the members of the Faculty, ana
nearly all Of the trustees.
APPARATUS TO ILLUSTRATE
Placed on the table within reach Of the lee
iuref WAS a large amount of apparatus win
which his remarks were illustrated from time
10 time and By the aid Of which interesting eN-
poriments were performed, adding mucn 10 Tue
interest Of the talk
The professor also used magic lantern fire.
qucntiy and showed the names Of the various
philosophers whom he mentioned and the time
in which they lived and were famous. .
The advances of electricity from lis discover
TO the present day were illustrated by means on
experiments and the machines used during the
On the speakers desk was ma gnifcent basket
of flowers composed of lilies; roses and hya-
clnths. the gift OF several OF his lady friends.
lAe professor expressed pleasure al the good
fceHg existing between the city and the cor
lege and al his own ability on tins occasion 70
sdd some 10 the entertainment OF the people OF
the city as well as 10 the college boys.
THE LECTURE.
In the beginning he told hls audience not 70
eHpec; too much from the lecture. as i dealt
with electricity in its primitive state and could
not be as practical as the lectures when are 20
follow.
The speaker said that he would not attempt
any elaborate speech, but would rather endeaVor
20 impart knowledge on the subject winch was
now attracting such universal attentlon-that
ono principal object would be to trace the sci
encc from It's small beginning mp 10 its present
immense development winch Eas perhaps Dul
the beginning of still wider application.
The time had been when all that was known
about electricity could be stated III single sen
toncc Now" he said. there are schools de
uecring has become 10 be distinct profession.
There are sDNOcOOO invested IN electrical c--
adjustments III tins country alone, ana 2DHh
people derive their living from electrical pul-
Moreover. I want to trace the successive
steps by which this science has grown as type
OF all sciences
REVIEWING THE Science.
He then began q review Of the science. start
ing with Ihalcs one of the wise men Of Greece,
who knew simply that amber when rubbed
would attract light substances.
This then, constituted about the whole OF the
science until the time Of DR.. Gilbert, who was
the fret physician 10 Queen Elizabeth. and who
may fairly be- considered the founder 81 tue
science. The name electricity originated win
him, and he found that the property of attr9c-
tion belonged TO many other bodies besides
amber.
famous book called DE Magnetic. &c.
Otto Won Guerricke also received special mcn-
tion as the maker OF the first electrical machine
and the observer Of many additional facts
SIR ISAAC.
Sir Isaac Newton'- work IN this direction was
also referred To. His use Of a globe Of glass and
his exhibition before the Royal Society of the
experiment of the dancing dolls were spoken OF.
The Professor showed picture on the screen
of Francis llawkbee's electrical machine, and
gave brief account OF his contribution 10 the
science. Steven Gray's famous experiment ON
OF the similarity of lightning To electricity, long
anticipating the experiments OF Franklin, was
fully explained
The discovery of the "Leyden Jar" by Profess
sOr MuschcnhrOcck. or his pupil Cuneus, was
dwelt on and it, importance fully elucidated.
BENJAMIN Franklin and his experiments re-
ceived full share of attention. he was credited
with the discovery OF the power Of points IN
conveying electricity which he utilized in his
lightning rod. The story Of his silk kite and
the spark drawn from the key, thus Identifying
lightning with electricity, was explained both
verbally and by excellent representations.
The Professor read an extract from letter Of
Franklin 20 his friend, Peter COlllnson, of Lon
don. under date of April lll9, in which he says,
referring 10 a trip 10 be taken on the banks OF
the "Schuylkil:'
"A turkey is 10 be killed for our dinner by the
electrical shock and roasted by the electrical
jack before Il ire kndleG by the electrical bot
tie. when the health of all the famous electrl-
clans are TO be drank in electrical bumpers, un-
der the discharge Of guns from the electrical
battery"
4 number of other philosophers. including
Canton. fpnus, Cayendlsh. Volta, and Faraday,
passed IN rapid review before the audience.
The Holt machine was exhibited and expert
mented with, and the lecturer reaching the
present time. sketched the new ideas Of the sci
once given by Lodge in his Modern Views OF
Elcctrity.' The recent wonderful experiments
of Prof. Hertz, indicating an identity between
electricity and light. were explained and their
importance pointed out.