Astronomy.

A series of Twelve Lectures will be delivered at the Council House, by Prof. Orson Pratt, on Astronomy and other scientific subjects, commencing on Monday evening, the 15th of December, and continuing on every Monday evening until finished.

Admittance to the whole series – $1.20
“ to one lecture – – – $.20

Doors open at 6 o’clock. Lecture commences precisely at half past 6.

Tickets may be had at the Post Office.

[Deseret News, Jan. 10, 1852]

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Seventies Hall Lectures.

Hon. Orson Pratt, sen., A.M. was the lecturer on Tuesday the 13th. He chose for his subject his favorite theme—astronomy. The greater part of the lecture was devoted to the modus operandi of determining the parallax of the planets of our system, together with a brief dissertation on the fixed stars. The only matter of regret on this occasion was the incapacity of the Hall to accommodate those desirous of hearing, for hundreds were disappointed and went away because they could not obtain admission.

[Deseret News, Jan. 21, 1863]

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The Winter Lectures

During the past winter, the Seventies’ Hall has been crowded every Thursday evening, and many persons have been forced to return home unable to obtain admission. The following lectures have been delivered:

1st. Modern Lecturers and writers, by Mr. E.L.T. Harrison.
2d. Ancient and Modern Literature, by Mr. E.W. Tullidge.
3d. The New York Press, by Mr. T.B.H. Stenhouse.
4th. Magnetism, by Mr. Orson Pratt.
5th. History of Ireland, by Mr. Geo. A. Smith.
6th. The Art of War, by Mr. Webber.
7th. Electro Magnetism, by Mr. Orson Pratt.
8th. The Harmony of Colors, by Mr. G.M. Ottinger.
9th. Footsteps of God in History, by Mr. Carl Maeser.
10th. Universality of Mormonism, by Mr. H.W. Tullidge.
11th. The Study of Language, by Mr. Jas. McKnight.
12th. The Pleasures of the Sciences, by Mr. E.L.T. Harrison.
13th. The Science of Sound, by Mr. J.V. Long.
14th. Second Part of Footsteps of God in History, by Mr. Carl Maeser.

[Deseret News, Mar. 2, 1864]

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Local and Other Matters.
Lectures.

A course of lectures is being delivered in the Nineteenth Ward Literary Institute, to continue during the winter months. The first of the series was given, on Wednesday, the 4th inst., by Professor Orson Pratt. The subject selected for next Wednesday evening is photography, and C.R. Savage, Esqr., will be the lecturer. From that gentleman’s thorough acquaintance with the art, we should judge that he will not fail to make it both instructive and entertaining to those who attend. No charge is made for admittance. There will be one lecture each week.

[Deseret News, Jan. 11, 1871]

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Astronomy.

Tomorrow evening, at half-past six o’clock, the first of the series of University Lectures upon Astronomy will be delivered at the Tabernacle, by Professor Orson Pratt. Nineteen years ago Profess Pratt delivered a series of Lectures upon this subject, which were well attended and listened to with deep interest. Since that time a new generation has grown up—the children of that day are the men and women of today—and it is felt that, as the holidays are over and the people have had all the salutatory exercise which they need, that some portion of the remainder of our long evenings can be profitably devoted to the consideration of intellectual subjects. Our dancing parties are excellent features in our social system; they enable friends and neighbors to come together, obtain recreation, renew old acquaintanceship, form new associations and enjoy pleasant converse; but it is frequently remarked that there is not the disposition this winter to attend these parties that there has been formerly. Something else is needed. It is very well to devote a portion of time to the exercise of the heels; but the mind will also assert its claim to be gratified. Lectures upon Astronomy by so able a speaker as Professor Pratt, and one so thoroughly familiar with the science, will, under the circumstance be warmly welcomed, we think, by the community. To the students of the University they will be especially valuable, and being free, they should draw large audiences from the general public. All are cordially invited to attend, and it will add greatly to the interest of the subject if those who wish to hear them, commence with the first lecture and go through the entire course.

[Deseret News, Jan. 18, 1871]

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Local and Other Matters.
The Lecture Tonight.

Remember the lecture in the Tabernacle tonight,–the first of a series of Astronomy, by Professor Orson Pratt. Time of commencement half past six. Tabernacle will be well lighted, and warmed so as to be comfortable for the occasion. Admission free, no collection, and all classes respectfully invited to attend!

[Deseret News, Jan. 25, 1871]

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The Astronomical Lecture.

The seventh of the University series of lectures on astronomy was delivered in the Tabernacle last evening by Elder Orson Pratt, at the usual hour; but owing, probably, to the inclemency of the weather, the attendance was not so large as usual. The audience listened with rapt attention to the lecturer’s lucid description of the primary planets of our solar system.

We should regret to see any falling off in interest in these lectures; they have been prepared with the greatest care, and are couched in the simplest language possible, so that they may be understood by the unscientific; they will amply repay both young and old for the time spent in attending them; and we hope to see the Tabernacle crowded during the remainder of the course. From what the Professor said last night, respecting the character of the future lectures, they will increase in interest, especially the closing one, for the correct understanding of which those preceding it should be attended.

[Deseret News, Feb. 15, 1871]

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Prof. Pratt’s Lecture.

The time for the delivery of the lecture of Prof. Orson Pratt, at the University building, on “Gravitation and Centrifugal Forces,” has been changed from Tuesday to Wednesday evening, commencing at 8 o’clock.

The following is a synopsis of the lecture:

Gravitating Force.—Its two Manifestations—Falling Bodies—Universal Tendency of Worlds to Fall to Each Other—Three Laws of Gravitating Force—When Discovered.

Centrifugal Force.—Antagonistic to Gravity—Universal Tendency of Worlds to Move in Straight Lines, instead of Curved Orbits—Curvili near Orbits the result of Two Forces—Four Orbits Possible, viz., The Circle, Ellipse, Parabola, and Hyperbola—Under what Circumstances Each is Produced—Measure of Projectile Forces—Illustrated by Whirling Weights—Revolving Worlds—Law of Distance and Velocity—Weight of Worlds—Celestial Mechanism an Exhibition of Infinite Wisdom and Power.

Admission free.

[Deseret News, Aug. 11, 1875]

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Local and Other Matters.
From Thursday’s Daily, August 12.
Scientific.

The able lecture of Professor Orson Pratt, on “Gravitation and Centrifugal Forces,” delivered last night, in the University building, was largely attended, numbers who were desirous of hearing it being unable to gain admittance, and was listened to with wrapt attention.

[Deseret News, Aug. 18, 1875]

[transcribed and proofread by David Grow, Sept. 2006]

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