"But Dr. Smith says, and I believe it to be a true state of the case, that he himself gave a course of Lectures in Natural Philosophy, during the same winter, and that the money raised by them was also applied towards paying for the Orrery"

This quote is describing Dr. Smith, who is likely a teacher or speaker of some kind. The quote recommends that Dr. Smith offered a course of lectures in Natural Philosophy during a particular winter season, which the money raised from these lectures was utilized to pay for an Orrery. An Orrery is a mechanical model of the planetary system, and was a popular teaching tool in the 18th century. This quote suggests that Dr. Smith was a devoted instructor, who was willing to utilize his own resources to offer his students with the best possible education. It also recommends that Dr. Smith was enthusiastic about Natural Philosophy, and was willing to go the extra mile to guarantee his trainees had access to the best resources offered.