The Princeton union. [volume] (Princeton, Minn.) 1876-1976, 1894-06-07

winds plays in gentle zephyrs or move
with impetuous speed, all because of
this force called gravitation. Nor is
this attractive force confined to bodies
on the surface of the planet. There is
no object so distant as to escape it.
We're planet created so far away that
its light travelling at the rate of 1S6, 1000
miles per second would require thou
sand years to reach us it's pull would be
felt throughout the universe the in
slant of its creation. So subtle is it |
that the least conceivable particle can
not escape it and yet so mighty that it
holds the moon in it's orbit about the
earth; the earth and planets in their
orbits about the sun; and the sun and
all the stars of the visible universe
about some distant center. It moulds
the dewdrops into sphere but spheres
a world with equal ease.
Light, another of the silent forces,
exhibits no less interesting phenomena.
The infinite number of colors and
shades found in nature are due to light
The spectacle of the rainbow spanning
the heavens: the green and colored
foliage; the dainty flowers; the glow
ing sunsets; the beautiful landscapes,
all are manifestations of this silent
force, light. Light has been likened to
an ''aerial sprite'' which travels
Through dark, limitless space and
brings his measuring rods to the eager
astronomer who with these easily and
readily determines the size, appear
ance and composition of the heavenly
bodies.
Heat is a force closely connected with
light. By it's magic touch the water
of the ocean is transformed into invisi-
BILE vapor and is borne aloft to be dis
tributed over the surface of the earth
in rains. The mighty work that this
force accomplishes in raising this water
from the surface and transporting it is
beyond conception. In obedience to this
force earth is clothed in the rich dark
verdure of spring and summer, and act
ing conformity with gravitation and
light world of primeval chaos has
been transformed into a world of trans
cendent beauty.
These are but glimpses of those
mighty natural agencies the sum OF
whose unceasing energies have resulted
in, the universe as it appears to-day.
And what inexhaustible fields have we
here for the investigation of thought
full minds. No wonder the mightiest
human intellect after long life OF
profound research could say atits close,
II am like little child standing upon
} the ocean shore. I have gathered a
} few pebbles but the great ocean Of
, truth still lies beyond me-" But while
; we may never hope to fathom the
, mysteries of our physical universe, YET
we have the greatest possible incentive
for its study, for mans progress in the
, history of the world has been according
} as he has placed himself in harmony
: with nature and sought to use her ex
+ haustless energies in bringing about
the peculiar and artificial environment
: necessary to civilization. At first hi
5 tried to accomplish everything by
physical strength. And while he die
} this his achievements were necessaril,
I confined within the narrow limits o
l his physical powers. He travelled from
l place to place slowly and YEARLY b.
his own powers of locomotion; buildet
: his own rude hut and clad himself il
4 the rude garments Of his own unskillet
t labor; and ground his meal in a morta
n and pestle and by the time his bares
y necessities were provided he had NJ
t force left to elevate himself allow
r these humble conditions. But when h
began to chain the natural forces to d.
his bidding he began to rise into a bet
ter and higher civilization. He utilize'
the force of gravitation manifest in tn
falling waters and moving winds. TIL
, one turned the wheels which groun
:, his corn and wOve the delicate fabric
-, of his dress while the other dotted tn
10 seas with white sails of his commerce
:, bringing the products of all lands t
10 contribute to his comfort. Layin
4 hold of the pent-up energies of heat h
" has belted the globe with steel high
y. ways for the iron horse which trans
# ports him a thousand miles a day i
r. palatial luxury. When man was but
n school-boy the Almighty said to him
''Canst thou send the lightnings tina
they may say here we are?'" Cor
scious of his weakness he covered hi
mouth with his hand and said, ''Be
hold, I am vile." But now he ha
- grasped the lightnings and we hav
8 the multiplied applications of electric
-. - ity which are turning his night int
Il day and his winter into summer and
y numerous other ways contributing