Mr, Severn's Lecture.

Thames Star, Issue 2526, 9 February 1877, Page 2

Mr, Severn's Lecture.

Mr H. A.; Severn delivered what was to have been the last of his popular and interesting scientific lectures at the Academy of Music yesterday evening. The Academy was exceedingly well filled, every seat in the stalls being taken, and some being obliged to stand. Not only had the prices been lowered* very- considerably, but Mr Severn made such large concessions to schools and the younger portion of his audience that a great number were admitted at absurdly low prices. That the lecture and the accompanying illustrations -were greatly appreciated was made quite evident by the hearty applause which was very frequently given as view after view was placed on the screen. The lecture was under the patronage of His Worship the Mayor, who was present, as well as the Revs. Y. Lush, R. Laishley, R. Bunn, and many of the leading Thames citizens. The subject selected by Mr Severn was the Solar System, illustrated by mechanical diagrams of a most superior description. The lecturer began by considering the aspect of the sun viewed at - different distances, until, owing to the immensity of this element, the sun would appear as a mere point of light, in fact a star. The visible stars and our sun were objects having the same characteristics, and the spectroscope proved this. Here Mr Severn referred to his recent lectures and experiments on spectrum analysis. A very fine diagram of the whole Solar System in motion wasnext exhibited, and well explained. Beautiful photographs of the planets Saturn, Jupiter, and Mars were next shown; then a most interest* ing illustration of the real spiral form of the Solar System in -motion, the suu leading the way, followed by the planets themselves, these all more or less lagging behind. Mr Severn next explained the planetary law # of the Astronomer Bode. This simple illustratration made it quif j apparent that the figures

0 3 x 6 .• 12.-.. 24 48 95 &c. 14444 4 . ,4

• 4 7 10 10 28 .■••/52-\ 100 really gave a good clue to the varied distanres of the planets from the sun; thus, if 10 in the. lower row of these numbers represent the earth's distance from the sun the remaining figures will correspond to the other planets.; The rotation of the earth, the theory of the tides, day and night, motion, of the planet Venus, Jupiter's moons, and their passing into the planet's shadow were all explained and splendidly, illustrated'by diagrams in motion. The diagram proving the earth to be round in: form was' to our mind most beautiful j .and required but little explanation—Mr Severn's simple style of imparting information rendering matter clear to all. On the conclusion of the scientific portion of the programme the audience had another genuine.treat in some thirty of the most magnificent views of Paris ; each brought forth rounds, of applause, and taken singly or collectively they nret the tery finest views we have seen in New Zealand. The selections of statuary were magnificent, " Prayer ", and " Mother's Love" being perhaps the best. The Pyramids and a number of other beautiful views brought Mr Severn to the oxy-hydrogen microscope. A live spider and fly on the same, slide were highly magnified, and created a large amount of interest. The new instrument, Brewster's kaleidoscope, owing to" some unforseen instrumental want, was not exhibited; It will, however, be tried; again this evening j but the extraordinary little radiometer was shown, and ultimately placed in the rays of the spectrum ; here it was proved to rotate much faster in the fed rays than any df the other coloured" rays of the spectrum, thus- in the yellow, green, blue and violet parts of the spectrum the rotations' almost ceased. It seemed a pity that the radiometer is so small an instrument, but when we learn that the one we saw last night is in every respect,the same as theinstru--1 ments used in the old country we must be satisfied.. It certainly is a most wonderful discovery. We are very sorry that the time at the disposal of Mr Severn before leaving for England will not permit of his Ngiviug us the series of lectures that he has selected and determined to deliver New Zealand. We understand the subjects are very good ones, and we are quite sure, that the, varied and splendid apparatus, only a small part of which we have seen, will interest if not astonish our friends in other parts of New Zealand. . The Her. Mr Lush suggested that inasmuch as only a small number of the views were put on the screen last evening, owing to want of time, that it would be desirable .for Mr Severn to repeat the entertainment to-morrow evening if possible. This was ultimately arranged,' so a continuation of this very excellent means of imparting instruction and amusement will, be given this evening at the same hour. We cordially advise everyone to attend, as this will be actually the last time we shall have of hearing and seeing - our friend Mr Severn;