The Chautauquan, Vol. 03, May 1883Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle
History
The Chautauquan, Vol. 03, May 1883
Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle
Chautauqua Institution -- Periodicals; Chautauqua Literary and Scientific Circle -- Periodicals
During the investigation of the action of torpedoes the use of
photography was also largely brought into requisition by the writer in
order to ascertain the work that was expended by different charges of
gun cotton. The method adopted was roughly this: A mine having been
laid down at a known depth and position in water, a scale was placed
over it, and photographed from the position the camera was to occupy.
On the explosion of the gun-cotton or powder an instantaneous exposure
was given to a specially sensitive plate, and the height, breadth, and
general form of the resulting column of water was obtained from the
photograph after comparing it with the photographic scale.
At Shoeburyness, again, a regular staff of photographers is kept
in order to photograph all the experimental work carried on by the
artillery against iron shields, &c., and the series of such pictures
has been able to convey more to the minds of committees than elaborate
drawings could do.
We can not conclude these applications of photography without recalling
the fact that it has proved exceedingly useful in the repression
of crime. The portrait of every convict is taken by an authorized
photographer in each convict establishment, and when necessity arises
prints from such negatives are produced by the hundred and distributed,
in order that the various police authorities may be enabled to identify
a criminal who may have happened previously to be placed under their
surveillance.
DANIEL WEBSTER versus STEPHEN GIRARD.
The true relation of Christianity to education has seldom, if
ever but once, been before the Supreme Court of the United States
for adjustment. That time was when Daniel Webster made his great
argument to break the will by which Mr. Girard founded his college in
Philadelphia. Mr. Webster rose to the demands of his opportunity, and
made what was at once a masterly argument for his cause, and a splendid
defense of Christian charity, Christianity, and the Christian ministry.
In the following article we have abridged his speech, but we have tried
to preserve the chain of his argument. It is wholesome reading from the
mind of America’s greatest constitutional lawyer, in the times when
rhetoricians hurl flippant statements against the bulwarks of divine
truth, as though with these they would batter them down.
Two millions of dollars were bequeathed by Mr. Girard for the erection
of a college; detailed plans were drawn specifying where, how, and for
whom it was to be built. The validity of this will was contested by the
heirs-at-law in 1836. In 1841 the case was carried to the Supreme Court
of the United States. In course of the argument, Daniel Webster made
the speech of which we give a synopsis. We follow the argument, giving
only brief quotations. Mr. Webster passes over the details of the
will, taking up the following clause, or restriction, which Mr. Girard
prescribed as among the conditions on which his bequest for the college
was to be enjoyed.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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