The news-democrat. (Providence, R.I.) 1906-1909, 1906-12-18

There was a large gathering Of the
members OF the Pawtucket Business
Mems association at the rooms on Main
street last evening, the attraction being
an address by Prof. Winslow Upton OF
Brown University on Astronomy In the
Business Life" This was the second of
the mid-monthly meetings OF the associa-
ton, which have been inaugurated this
year and IL is quite evident that they are
going TO prove success The entertain
ment committee has arranged for some in
teresting programs for the coming months
and the members are promised number
OF very pleasant evenings.
Prof. Upton was presented to the asso-
citation by Chairman Sheldon OF the com
mittee and he began by stating that there
were probably many who had failed TO un-
derstand how astronomy could be OF very
great use to the average business man.
He outlined his remarks as touching
upon FIVE problems which the astronomers
had done for the business men and the
world at large. these being the solving OF
system OF time reckoning, the prepara-
tion OF a good calendar. the preparation
OF a good almanac the solution Of the
demand OF the sailors and navigators for
a system OF reckoning latitude and longi-
tude and the similar demand made by the
engineers
OF the system OF reckoning time and
the calendar. Prof. Upton spoke at
some length describing the old calendar
used. and as modified under Caesar, COM
ing down 10 the one now in use. In re-
gard TO this he said there would be one
extra day every GOO years, and the only
real fault which the business man could
find I'm the system In vogue was that
there was one extra day in every 80 weeks.
This resulted I'm the holidays coming on
different days every year. they being one
day later except on leap year. Many sug-
10 n
many OF which he admitted were humor-
Gus, but one or late had been that the
calendar be changed 10 have one week
of eight days.
In connection with this 1t had been sug-
gested that Christmas not count as week
day
The demand for an almanac, he said. re-
suited first in simply an observation al
manac, the old-time astronomers making
observations and then announcing to the
people that certain star was in a posi-
tion. showing the season was then sum-
mer, or whatever 1t happened to be. This
system was developed until now every
government issued volumes called the
Nautical almanac.
The tables OF the tides were similar be-
ing published by the tidal branch OF the
coast and geological survey OF the govern
ment service.
The work performed for navigators was
OF tho utmost value.
The English government many years
ago. realizing the value OF this matter.
offered a prize OF G2000 for system
whereby mariners could reckon their lon
gtude. and was finally won by a young
man who invented a chronometer by
which the mariner carried with him the
Greenwich time: This was the one now
In use. and Prof. Winslow gave the opin-
ion that il would in time give way 10 the
wireless telegraph. which. he said. II II
was perfected in the next few years as IL
had been I'm the past, would enable mari
ners 10 catch the Greenwich time sent
out from land when at any point.
In closing, he said the business men
and the interests of every day life would
have suffered greatly IL IL had not been
for the astronomer. Although much Of
their work was not OF the material, IL was
at the same time valuable. for il had
changed the views of the early days re-
garding a limited universe to the present
idea of a boundess universe. giving us a
most valuable lesson of our humility.
HORSE WAS FRIGHTENED.
horse belonging to and driven by Pc
ter Mounier of Central Falls became
frightened on Pawtucket avenue early
last evening and started on a wild run
Mounier was thrown from the carriage,
and then the horse turned up Pidge ave-
nue. and later made its way toward Prov
idence, where il was finally captured.
Mr.. Mounier fell in such way that
the wheels of the carriage ran over his
head and caused a number Of bruises. but
otherwise he was not injured
EXEMPLIFIED FIRST DEGREE.
There was large attendance at the
semi-monthly meeting OF Delaney coun-
ell. No. 81. Knights of Columbus. which
was held last evening IN the Alcazar; The
meeting was presided over by Grand
knight James X. Mooney and the first
degree was worked on FIVE candidates.
quite a little routine business was trans
acted and then there was an hour or
more given up to social pleasures, during
which refreshments were served
LECTURED ON GETTYSBURG.
Members of Tower post, No. II, @. A.
r.. in addition 10 quite a number of 9TH
ers attended an Illustrated lecture on
Gettysburg. which was given last evening
in Y. NJ. G. A. hall. The speaker was
ID. W. Howard and his remarks were Of
the very deepest interest. The pictures
which were thrown on the screen were
xtrmely INTERESTING. and tn lecture was
extremely interesting, and the lecture was
At the close OF the lecture Prof. How
ard presented to Lincoln Fifeld and Wal
ter S. Kenny, acting for the boys depart
ment of the Young Mems Christian asso-
citation, under whose auspices the lecture
was held, a handsome American flag.
CITY HALL RECORDS.
The following transa ctions have been
placed on record at the city hall during
the past "a hours:
Real Estate Conveyances-Edmund NJ.
Warren and Henry s. Moody TO Gacomo
Baroni. land, buildings and improvements
OF plat OF Prospect Heights; consdera-
tion 81 r. A. Butler to Mary A. NJ Stet-
son. land. buildings and improvements on
the southerly, side OF Clay street: consider
alton ST. Walter l.. Kelley TO Edward
Lang land buildings and improvements
on the southerly side of Glenwood ave-
nue.: consideration $40. Hormidas d. Ba-
chand to Simon j. and Katrina j. Wun-