The new dominion. [volume] (Morgantown, W. Va.) 1876-1904, 1898-02-16
THE LECTURE.
The Heavens Explored and all
knowledge of the Astrono-
merS Revealed.

The Audience the Largest ever in At.
tendance ON Lecture in the Town
The Collection Of Views wonderful
0ne-fhe 6limpses Of the stars Re-
vealed we're Amazing-Some idea OF
the insigniflcance of Man and his
Puny efforts--The different subjects
treated.
The largest crowd ever in the
Commencement Hall to hear a lee
ture attended the lecture on ''Reve-
lations in Astronomy" which was de-
livered by Prof Barnard. Fully one
thousand people heard the lecture.
1t was the first time free lecture
was ever a success in point of num-
bers in the town. The character of
the lecture was a great drawing
card. Every one was interested in
the subject which is an intensely
fascinating one. Every one has had
his curiosity aroused by looking into
the depths of space and wished to
penetrate further into the mysteries
which 1ie beyond
The lecture showed that beyond
the first mysteries lie greater and
more far reaching mysteries which
will never be penetrated by human
skill Some of the secrets of the
stars have been wrested from them
by mans efforts but the infinite
depths of space mock his puny eff
forts to scorn and show him how ut
terly insignificant he and his won
derful achievements really are. 1t
shows us how small part of the
universe is the planet on which we
live. Swinging out in space we are
a mere speck as compared with the
countless myriads of glorious suns
which populate the immensely of
space. 1t fills one with lively
sense Of the infinite wisdom which
has set all those worlds in motion
and directed them by his might.
The feelings of curiosity gives place to
one of awe and amazement.
The lecturer began by explaining
many of the discoveries made con
corning the stars and how they were
made. He told us how they were
resolved into their constituent parts,
how their motion was seen and
measured and their distance from us
measured How the mind of man
had wrested from them their secrets
and had pierced the veil of mystery
which had surrounded them for mil
lions of years. The collection of
views shown of nearly every
part of the heavens was wonderful
one.
The planets came in for their
share of attention and the best views
OF them in existence was shown.
Few people ever get the chance to
see this wonderful collection unless
as we did merely by chance. Our
neighbor Mars was shown and the
curious markings on its surface was
plainly seen.
Many views of the moon were
sl'own and the strange markings on
it :. itch can be seen with the naked
eye were clearly distinguished and
shown to be volcanoes and ranges of
immense mountains. The moon was
demonstrated to be without air or
life of any kind, a perfectly dead
world although formerly the scene of
the most violent volcanic action
Many other curious and interesting
things were thrown on the screen by
Prof Hodges who manipulated the
stereopticon but lack Of space for
bids the mention of them.
Prof Barnard was well pleased
with the audience which was the
largest which he had lectured to on
his eastern trip. While here he was
the guest of DR. and Mrs Raymond
and he has returned to his home by
way Of Pittsburg. 1t was by acct
dent that we were able to get him to
come here and the things shown by
him were better views OF the heavens
than many of the very greatest as
tronomers of the world can see with
their fine instruments. The lecture
and its lessons will be long remem-
bered in MOrpantOWn.