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If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: Symmes's Theory of Concentric Spheres - Demonstrating that the Earth is hollow, habitable within, - and widely open about the poles - -Author: Anonymous - -Release Date: March 9, 2017 [EBook #54329] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CONCENTRIC SPHERES *** - - - - -Produced by Chris Curnow, Daniel Lowe and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - - - - -Transcriber's Note: Italic text is denoted by _underscores_ and bold -text by =equal signs=. - - - - -SYMMES'S THEORY OF CONCENTRIC SPHERES; - -DEMONSTRATING THAT THE EARTH IS HOLLOW, HABITABLE WITHIN, AND WIDELY -OPEN ABOUT THE POLES. - -_By a Citizen of the United States._ - - - "There are more things in Heaven and EARTH, Horatio, - Than are dreamt of in your philosophy!" SHAKSPEARE. - - "If this man be erroneous, who appears to be so sanguine and - persevering in his opinions, what withholds us but our sloth, our - self-will, and distrust in the right cause, that we do not give him - gentle meetings and a gentle dismission; that we debate not and - examine the matter thoroughly, with liberal and frequent audience; if - not for his sake, yet for our own; seeing that no man who hath tasted - learning, but will confess the many ways of profiting by those, who, - not content with stale receipts, are able to manage and set forth new - positions to the world. And were they but as the dust and cinders of - our feet, so long as in that notion, they may yet serve to polish - and brighten the armory of truth; even for that respect they are not - utterly to be cast away." MILTON. - - - CINCINNATI: - PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY MORGAN, LODGE AND FISHER. - 1826. - - - - -DISTRICT OF OHIO, TO WIT. - - -BE IT REMEMBERED, that on the fourth day of April, in the year of our -Lord one thousand eight hundred and twenty six and in the fiftieth year -of the American independence, MESSRS. MORGAN, LODGE AND FISHER, of said -District, hath deposited in this office, the title of a book, the right -whereof they claim as proprietors, in the words and figures following, -to wit: - -"Symmes's theory of concentric spheres; demonstrating that the earth -is hollow, habitable within, and widely open about the poles: by a -citizen of the United States. 'There are more things in Heaven and -Earth Horatio, than are dreamt of in your philosophy' Shakespeare, 'If -this man be erroneous who appears to be so sanguine and persevering -in his opinions, what withholds us but our sloth, our self-will, and -distrust in the right cause, that we do not give him gentle meetings -and a gentle dismission; that we debate not and examine the matter -thoroughly, with liberal and frequent audience: if not for his sake, -yet for our own; seeing that no man who has tasted learning but will -confess the many ways of profiting by those, who, not content with -stale receipts, are able to manage and set forth new positions to the -world. And were they but as the dust and cinders of our feet, so long -as in that notion, they may yet serve to polish and brighten the armory -of truth: even for that respect, they are not utterly to be cast away.' -Milton." - -In conformity to the act of Congress of the United States, entitled "An -act for the encouragement of learning by securing the copies of Maps, -Charts and Books to the proprietors of such copies during the times -therein mentioned;" and also of the act entitled "An act supplementary -to an act entitled an act for the encouragement of learning by securing -the copies of Maps, Charts and Books, to the authors and proprietors -of such copies, during the times therein mentioned, and extending -the benefits thereof to the arts of designing, engraving and etching -historical and other prints." - - Attest, WILLIAM KEY BOND, CLERK. - - - - -ADVERTISEMENT. - - -The writer of the following work is said to be a resident of the Miami -country. After reading Captain Symmes's numbers, and hearing some of -his lectures, he wrote the work, it seems, in the first place without -the idea of publication; but afterwards corrected and enlarged it, and -left it with a friend of Captain Symmes for publication, sometime in -the autumn of the year 1824. The nett profits were then, as now, to be -paid to Captain Symmes, towards enabling him to promote and establish -his principles: but owing to the absence of the author, and other -circumstances, it has remained unpublished till now. - -The author has chosen to present the work anonymously; and has -obtained the promise of Captain Symmes to forbear criticising it in -manuscript,――reserving any remarks or corrections, he may wish to make, -for future publication. Some _errors of the press_ will doubtless be -discovered; as (in the absence of both Compiler and Theorist) there was -no _proof-reader_ at hand, sufficiently versed in the New Theory, at -all times, to detect them. - - THE PUBLISHERS. - - _Cincinnati, April, 1826._ - - - - -To the Public. - - -The following little treatise, was written in the autumn of the year -eighteen hundred and twenty-four; when from the urgency of my common -avocation, and from a desire to remain _incognito_, the manuscript was -placed in the hands of a friend of Captain Symmes for publication. -As it was not my intention to seek a publisher, or make advances to -facilitate its progress, I left the country for a considerable length -of time, without paying any further attention to the subject. Various -difficulties intervening, delayed the publication, until _subsequent -events_, have destroyed my chief inducement; which was, that these -speculations, compiled from a cursory examination of facts, should go -forth as a harbinger, merely, and not "_follow in the wake_," of public -investigation. - - THE AUTHOR. - -_March, 1826._ - - - - -Preface. - - -The author of the following pages does not write because he is a -learned man; he is conscious of the reverse; and that his merits -give him no claim to that appellation; neither does he make this -attempt because he is well acquainted with either the new, or the old -theories of the earth; but, from having observed that the Theory of -Concentric Spheres has been before the world for six or seven years, -without attracting the attention of the scientific, except in a very -few instances;――few besides the author himself having come forward to -advocate its correctness. The newspaper scribblers, who have noticed -the theory at all, have almost uniformly appeared to consider it as -a fit subject on which to indulge their wit, the sallies of which, -clothed in all the humour and satire their fancies could suggest, have -in some degree had a tendency to throw around it an air of levity very -unfavourable to serious investigation. But to deal in sarcasm is not -always reasoning; and the truth is not to be ascertained by indulging -in ridicule. - -Considerations of this nature, first induced the author to devote a -short time to the task of investigating a subject, to which he had paid -but little attention, and to give the several papers, published by -Captain Symmes, a cursory examination; in the course of which, he noted -such of Symmes's principles and proofs as attracted his attention, as -they occurred; and has since presumed to arrange them in such order as -his own fancy suggested; supposing that, as they had struck forcibly -on his mind, they might perhaps attract the attention of some other -person, whose habits of thinking may be similar to his own. He has -in a few instances inserted, in addition to those which he has seen -advanced by Captain Symmes, such reasons and proofs in support of -the theory as occurred to him at the time. However, he has no claim -to originality; as he has made a liberal use of the publications of -Captain Symmes, as well as the remarks made on them by others, which -came in his way. - -The reader will not look for a complete analysis of the theory in this -short treatise; it is not intended as such by the author, his object -being merely to attract the attention of the learned, who are in the -habit of indulging in more abstruse researches into the operation -and effect of natural causes; and should it be found to merit the -attention of such, it is hoped their enquiries may be so directed as to -accelerate the march of scientific improvement, enlarge the field of -philosophic speculation, and open to the world new objects of ambition -and enterprise. - -Should he therefore be fortunate enough to make any observations, or -indulge in any reflections, in the course of the following chapters, -that may merit the attention of the reader, he hopes they may in some -degree atone for the many defects which will doubtless be discovered; -with a sincere wish, that gentlemen of literature and science, who have -made deeper researches than he pretends to, will have the goodness to -correct them. - -The author does not write for Fame: as anonymous compilers (and it is -the author's wish to be considered in no other light) can never expect -their true names to be inscribed on her records: neither do pecuniary -considerations influence him, as he expects to reap no profit from the -publication. - -Should it attract public curiosity to such a degree, as to induce the -sale of more copies than will be sufficient to meet the expense of -printing, it is the author's desire, and he does hereby direct, and -fully authorize the publishers, to pay over the nett profits to Captain -Symmes, for the purpose of enabling him further to prosecute his -studies; and to aid him in the accomplishment of his designs. - -Whether Captain Symmes has hit upon an important truth in the economy -of nature, as respects the organization of matter, it is not for -the author to determine; to the more scientific we must look for a -solution of the problem; to them it is submitted. The following pages -are presented with no other intention, than as a hint to elicit the -attention of others, who are qualified to investigate, and improve the -subject. Should they, on examination, consider the matter worthy of -their investigation, it will doubtless receive the attention which its -importance so greatly demands. If it be erroneous, it is hoped they -will detect, and expose its fallacy to the world; giving at the same -time rational and satisfactory explanations of the many facts, and -appearances which Captain Symmes adduces as proofs of his positions. - - _August, A. D. 1824._ - - - - -Apology TO CAPTAIN SYMMES. - -SIR―― - -To you I would apologize for the liberties I have taken with your -Theory, and your publications in relation to it, which have made -their appearance in the newspapers of the day. When I commenced this -compilation, in support of your doctrine of Concentric Spheres, I -had no view to its publication. I had collected all the papers on -the subject, upon which I could lay my hands, with the intention of -investigating the Theory for my own satisfaction: but the scattered -and irregular order in which I found them, and in which they must -necessarily appear in detached Newspaper essays, published at different -and distant times, induced me to attempt a methodical arrangement, for -the purpose of facilitating my own enquiries. When I had completed -this, the same reasons, added to the consideration, that you have not -only invited, but solicited the investigation of your theory, declaring -it "as free as air," to every person, to make such use of it as he may -think proper, influenced me to conclude on publishing the result of -my investigations. Having come to this determination, I have added a -Preface, an Introductory chapter, and a few things in conclusion, to -make it look more like a Book. - -As I have not seen all your publications in the newspapers, if I have -not fully understood, or if I have misrepresented your theory in any -particular, I assure you it has been done unintentionally――it has -arisen entirely from my want of adequate information; and I hope you -will, in the spirit of candour and good nature, pardon and correct any -errors into which I may have fallen. Had an opportunity offered, and -could I have done it with propriety, I should certainly have submitted -the manuscript to your revision, previous to its publication. However, -as this sketch is only intended to elicit further investigation, and -can only live until a formal and systematic treatise shall appear from -your pen, I hope you will permit it to pass as the Pioneer to a more -complete demonstration of your Theory of Concentric Spheres. - - I AM SIR, - - _One of the believers in that Theory_,―― - - THE AUTHOR. - - 1824. - - - - -CONTENTS. - - -CHAPTER I. - -Containing an introductory glance at some of the different Theories -and Opinions which have been embraced respecting the formation of the -Earth, and the reception which those Theories met with from the world -when first promulgated. - - -CHAPTER II. - -Symmes's Theory; comprehending his description of the form of the -earth, and of the other orbs in the Universe; his principles of -gravity, and the points wherein he differs from the old or generally -received theories. - - -CHAPTER III. - -Symmes's Theory supported by arguments drawn from the principles -inherent in matter, and the consequences resulting from motion; tending -to show that, from necessity, matter must form itself into concentric -circles or spheres, such as Symmes describes the earth to be composed -of. - - -CHAPTER IV. - -Arguments in support of Symmes's Theory, drawn from Celestial -appearances. - - -CHAPTER V. - -The Theory of Concentric Spheres, supported by arguments drawn from -Terrestrial facts; such as the migration of animals to and from the -arctic regions, and from refraction, and the variation of the compass, -observed in high northern latitudes. - - -CHAPTER VI. - -Facts tending to illustrate and prove the existence of a _mid-plane -space_, situated between the concave and convex surfaces of the sphere. - - -CHAPTER VII. - -Several objections, made to the Theory of Concentric Spheres, -answered, particularly the one that it contravenes religious opinions; -demonstrating that the earth, and the other orbs of the universe, are -formed on the best possible plan for the maintenance and support of -organic life. - - -CHAPTER VIII. - -General observations on the Theory of Concentric Spheres, with a few -suggestions to the Congress of the United States, to authorize and fit -out an Expedition for the discovery of the Interior Regions; or, at -least, to explore the northern parts of the continent of America. - - -CHAPTER IX. - -A few brief suggestions, relative to the description, tonnage, and -number of vessels, necessary to be equipped for a voyage of discovery -to the interior regions of the earth; the number of men necessary to be -employed on board, articles necessary for the outfit, and the probable -expense attending the same; also, as to the route most proper to be -pursued to accomplish the object of the expedition. - - -CHAPTER X. - -A short Biographical sketch of Captain Symmes; with some observations -on the treatment which he has met with in the advancement of his -theory. - - - - -THE THEORY OF =CONCENTRIC SPHERES=. - - - - -CHAPTER I. - - _Containing an introductory glance at some of the different Theories - and Opinions which have been advanced respecting the formation of the - Earth, and the reception which those Theories met with from the world - when first promulgated._ - - -It often happens, that those who have been early taught to believe a -certain set of principles and doctrines as true, whether in philosophy, -religion, or politics, adhere to them with the utmost pertinacity -during the remainder of their lives. Any new theory, or principle, is -resisted with peculiar energy; and, however inconsistent or untrue -their favorite systems may be, they are disposed to make principles and -facts bend to them; and would sooner call in question the general and -immutable laws of nature, than the correctness of their own opinions. -Perhaps this pertinacious adherence to prevalent and received opinions -has retarded the progress of philosophic improvement more than the want -of bold, original, and enquiring genius. - -In former times those who cultivated science, or rather those who were -called learned, generally based their philosophy on the doctrines of -Aristotle; which, as they had been taught to reverence them from their -infancy, had become almost interwoven with their constitutions. Hence, -though time has unfolded to us their errors, during several centuries, -suspicion never hinted their fallibility. The doctrine of the -revolutions of the earth, and other planets; of gravitation, magnetism, -and other properties now known to belong to matter; have each in their -turn met with a strong opposition from the most learned men living at -the time of their discovery. But, notwithstanding this opposition, -in all ages, a few bold, enquiring minds have had the firmness to -dissent from the established doctrines of the schoolmen, and to lay -the foundation of new systems, the correctness of which subsequent -improvements in science have more or less demonstrated to the world. - -Although nearly six thousand years have elapsed since man has been -placed upon the earth, he yet knows but little of its formation. -Notwithstanding all our enterprise, all our boasted acquirements, and -discoveries, its true form yet remains uncertain; and although admitted -that it is not quite eight thousand miles in diameter, we still have -never explored its extent. A space of nearly forty degrees of latitude -remains as little known to us, as if it were a part of the surface -of Saturn, or an orb revolving round a star of the eighth magnitude. -We know nothing of the inhabitants of those regions, or what kind of -animate beings exist in them. - -It was a prevailing opinion among the ancients, the correctness of -which they for ages never called in question, that the temperate zones -of our globe were alone habitable.――The torrid zone they imagined was -composed of nothing but sandy deserts, scorched up by the vertical and -insupportable beams of a burning sun. The frigid zones, they believed -were begirt with eternal snows, and "thick ribbed ice," which rendered -them inaccessible to man, and incapable of supporting animal or -vegetable life. Hence none ventured to approach them. - -Subsequent discoveries have, however, taught us the errors of the -ancients. We now know that the torrid zone teems with organic -life; and possesses, in many parts, a population more dense than -the temperate, and is equally well adapted to its support: nay, we -even find the temperature of that region to be such that it contains -mountains capped with perpetual snows, which the beams of a July sun do -not dissolve. It has also been ascertained that the frigid zones are -partially inhabited: but it seems that a certain timid dread, perhaps -in part attributable to the prejudices imbibed from our ancestors, has -prevented our exploring the extent of those regions. However, as far -as civilized man has yet ventured to penetrate towards the poles, we -find that plants grow, flowers bloom, and human beings make a permanent -residence; nay, even the untutored savages who reside there tell us -that other human beings reside yet further to the north; and animals -are known to migrate in that direction. Reasoning then from analogy, -and from what we know, we have no ground to conclude that such a vast -extent of surface has been created by an all-wise Providence for no -other purpose, than to be eternally clothed with mountains of ice. Such -a conclusion comports not with the general economy _we do know_ to -exist throughout his works. - -We are constrained to acknowledge, notwithstanding our improvements -in science, that, comparatively, we know but little of the economy of -nature. Within a few years past, almost an entire revolution has taken -place in the world respecting the philosophy of light and heat――a -change which affects the theory both of their nature, and of their -causes:――They are now believed to be two distinct things, and that the -sun communicates neither, but merely gives activity, in some manner not -yet known, to the principles, or matter, of light and heat with which -our elements abound. If this be the case, as I believe is now admitted -by the learned world, we cannot undertake to say, that the intensity or -the absence of either, is necessarily dependant alone on the altitude -of the sun, under any particular latitude; or on our nearness to, or -remoteness from, the centre of the system:――For aught we know, both -may be connected with arrangements that require but few of the sun's -rays to make them answer the purposes of organic life. For aught we can -tell, the planet Georgium Sidus, which rolls eighteen hundred millions -of miles distant from the orb of day, may, nevertheless, be favoured -with as brilliant light, and as genial warmth as our little globe; -and for aught we know the interior of this planet, in the concavity of -the spheres, under the equator, may enjoy the same light and heat that -fructify and bless the equatorial climes on the convex surface. - -During a period of several thousand years the ancients were of -opinion that the earth was a perfect plane, at rest, and supported -below by an unknown something; that it was bounded on all sides by an -impassable barrier, and covered with the blue canopy of heaven, in -which the sun, moon, and stars performed their diurnal revolutions -for the sole use and service of a few frail mortals. They believed -that the sun, every morning rose out of the Eastern sea; and in the -evening plunged into the Western ocean; that the stars were lighted -up in the evening by some kind deity, and extinguished before the -appearance of the sun. For ages none doubted the correctness of such -a theory. At length, however, from an attentive examination of the -regular appearances and revolutions of the heavenly bodies, some of -the Babylonians adopted the opinion that the earth was spherical; -revolving at regular periods round the sun, as the centre of the -universe. In this they were followed by Pythagoras and others. But -those efforts of genius, for the most part, met no other reward than -the execrations of the exasperated multitude. Such innovations were -deemed an impious crime against the gods, and could only be atoned for -by the sacrifice of their lives. In those times the people of every -nation, like the untutored Indian of our North Western wilderness at -this day, considered their own country to be situated in the centre of -the world, and they, the most favoured people. Even in later times, -when the system of the Babylonians, and that of Pythagoras, were -revived by Copernicus; and, when new discoveries respecting the form -and revolutions of the earth, and other parts of the universe, were -made by Galileo, not more than two hundred years since, we find an -ignorant and bigoted world alarmed at such opinions. We find Galileo, -that incomparable philosopher, cited before the court of Inquisition, -accused of heresy, and thrown into prison. The charge of heresy against -him was supported by alleging that he maintained the two following -positions, viz. - - 1. "That the sun is the centre of the world, and immoveable by a local - motion;" and - - 2. "That the earth is not the centre of the world, nor immoveable, but - that it moves with a diurnal motion." - -These positions he was not permitted to maintain or defend, but was -ordered to renounce them; and was prohibited from vindicating them -either in conversation or writing. However strange and impious these -doctrines appeared at that time, subsequent ages have confirmed their -correctness. - -When Columbus advanced the theory of a western continent, he was -ridiculed, persecuted, and contemned, by nearly all the literati of -Europe. It was an idea which had never before entered their minds. But, -notwithstanding all their opposition and ridicule, the correctness -of his "visionary theory," as they were pleased to call it, was -demonstrated by the actual discovery of this vast continent, which is -now sustaining millions of the very happiest of the human race. - -Many of the important discoveries of the immortal Newton, at the -time they were first promulgated to the world, were denounced as the -splendid visions of a madman; but, subsequent ages have done him -justice. - -Much as we may feel ourselves elated on account of the new lights which -have since been shed upon us, by the further progress and developement -of science; yet, when I reflect on the unkind treatment which Captain -Symmes and his new theory have received in our own day, I cannot help -fearing that we are still, in some degree, under the influence of the -same feelings and prejudices which brought the earlier philosophers to -the torture, and the prison. This theory differs much less from the -one now commonly received, than the doctrines of those philosophers -differed from the prejudices of the multitude, in an age when every one -believed the earth to be as flat as a table; and, consequently, it is -but a small innovation in comparison to what the theory of Pythagoras -and Copernicus must have appeared to be in their day; yet Captain -Symmes has been constantly, and almost every where, represented as a -visionary and dangerous innovator, and his alleged discovery ridiculed -as the silly dream of a deranged imagination. - -But let us not turn our backs and give a deaf ear to him, or to -the discoveries of any other man, merely because they are new, and -in contravention of our previously received impressions. True it -is, novelty is frequently dangerous and hurtful: but on the other -hand, it is often necessary and useful. Without it we should still -remain destitute of many of the greatest advantages we enjoy. Without -the advancement of new principles, and speculative ideas, neither -ourselves, nor any other people, could ever have emerged from a state -of savage barbarity. Without it, what purpose could our reason serve, -which, under proper regulations, and by a gradual progress, is capable -of contributing so largely to the general good of society? - -Were it my opinion that Symmes's Theory is one of the wildest and most -ridiculous that ever entered into the brain of man, I would not refuse -to hear him; nor by malevolent or satirical disapprobation, attempt to -discourage him, before I had examined and reflected upon it. By the -examination of many speculative subjects, abounding with falsehood, -we are frequently enabled to treasure up some truths. Some of the -first and most important discoveries in chemistry, owe their origin -to the midnight vigils of the alchymists, who vainly sought for the -philosopher's stone: and many valuable combinations in the science of -mechanics have been discovered by those who wasted years in as vain a -pursuit, after a perpetual motion. - -I believe there are but few theories, which do not contain much that -is profitable. The man who has the ingenuity to advance new ones, will -be likely, in the course of reasoning necessary to support them, to -say something that is useful to be known. In his very reveries and -wanderings, he will often point out land-marks, which may be useful -to the future _traveller_. Whether then is it better to crouch under -the tyranny of prejudice, or employ our thoughts and reasoning powers -in the search of truth, though at the risk of deceiving ourselves, as -our predecessors have done? Had it not been for a prudent boldness -in advancing and defending new doctrines, the human mind must have -remained to this day, the sport of all the chimeras of the ancients. - -The exact shape and formation of the earth are admitted not to be well -understood. The laws of gravity, and the admeasurements which have been -made in different places on the same meridian, have demonstrated to us, -that the greatest mathematicians have mistaken its real figure. Various -theories have at different times been published and refuted, and others -substituted in their stead. Yet still a shade of darkness and mystery -appears to hang over the subject; for many principles, attractions, -and apparent variations from the established laws believed to exist -in the economy of nature, have been discovered, particularly in the -polar regions, which remain unexplained and unaccounted for. Let us, -therefore, examine and investigate any theory which proposes to explain -them. Let us not be so tenacious of our own opinions, and hereditary -prejudices, as to stop at the very point where every thing invites us -to proceed. Let us rather push our researches after knowledge to the -utmost, and exercise our reason, and every means in our power that may -tend to the advancement of science and knowledge. In the pursuit, let -us not be retarded by the cry of prejudice, or the sarcastic whispers -of the narrow minded, and selfish. - -Let us, therefore give Captain Symmes a "gentle meeting," and a candid -hearing, in the following short chapters; ascertain what his theory is, -and on what principles he supports it; and then adopt or reject it, as -our reason may dictate. - - - - -CHAPTER II. - - _Symmes's Theory; comprehending his description of the form of the - earth, and of the other orbs in the Universe; his principles of - gravity, and the points wherein he differs from the old or generally - received theories._ - - -According to Symmes's Theory, the earth, as well as all the celestial -orbicular bodies existing in the universe, visible and invisible, -which partake in any degree of a planetary nature, from the greatest -to the smallest, from the sun, down to the most minute blazing meteor -or falling star, are all constituted in a greater or less degree, of a -collection of spheres, more or less solid, concentric with each other, -and more or less open at their poles; each sphere being separated -from its adjoining compeers by space replete with aerial fluids; that -every portion of infinite space, except what is occupied by spheres, -is filled with an aerial elastic fluid, more subtile than common -atmospheric air; and constituted of innumerable small concentric -spheres, too minute to be visible to the organ of sight assisted by the -most perfect microscope, and so elastic that they continually press -on each other, and change their relative situations as often as the -position of any piece of matter in space may change its position: thus -causing a universal pressure, which is weakened by the intervention -of other bodies in proportion to the subtended angle of distance and -dimension; necessarily causing the body to move towards the points of -decreased pressure. - -It is a sound principle of philosophy, that the particles of the -common air of our atmosphere are of a repellant quality, and mutually -repulse each other. The whole system of pneumatics goes to prove that -air presses equally in all directions. Not a single experiment in this -branch of natural science can be performed that does not depend on -such a property. This being the case, if the boundless extent of the -universe, beyond the limits of our atmosphere, be an entire vacuum, -why should the atmosphere be retained in its present circumscribed -form, and not expand, by virtue of its repellant quality, far beyond -its known height? To prevent this, Symmes believes universal space to -be filled with an elastic fluid, inconceivably rare, and uniformly -distributed throughout; differing from common air, and from the -elastic fluids (which also are known to be repellant) existing in our -atmosphere. This tendency is what Symmes believes should be understood -by the term gravity; the laws of action governing which he holds to be -true, as defined by Newton: and he moreover holds that the application -of the laws of gravity, as laid down by Newton, leads a reasoning mind -to the belief of concentric spheres, with open poles, as all planetary -bodies are in his opinion formed. - -In regard to the _effects_ of gravity, he pretends not to differ from -the generally received opinion of the age; but the _application_ of -them, as to the inner parts of insulated bodies, has enabled him to -_improve_ in a knowledge of the formation of planets; and finally led -him to form a correct idea of what _constitutes_ gravity. - -The author of the new theory entertains a belief that the principles -of planetary orbicular forms, developed by him, extend as well to the -molecules of the most subtile fluids, as to the innumerable stars or -suns of the universe, and all their planetary trains: he contends that -though he may not have discovered any new principles in physics, yet -that he has made interesting advances in a knowledge of the application -of what was heretofore known. - -According to him, the planet which has been designated the Earth, -is composed of at least five hollow concentric spheres, with spaces -between each, an atmosphere surrounding each; and habitable as well -upon the concave as the convex surface. Each of these spheres are -widely open at their poles. The north polar opening of the sphere we -inhabit, is believed to be about four thousand miles in diameter, and -the southern above six thousand.[1] The planes of these polar openings -are inclined to the plane of the ecliptic at an angle of about twenty -degrees; so that the real axis of the earth, being perpendicular to the -plane of the equator, will form an angle of twelve degrees with a line -passing through the sphere at right angles with the plane of the polar -openings; consequently the verge of the polar openings must approach -several degrees nearer to the equator on one side than on the other. -The highest north point, or where the distance is greatest from the -equator to the verge of the opening in the northern hemisphere, will -be found either in the northern sea, near the coast of Lapland, on a -meridian passing through Spitsbergen, in about latitude sixty-eight -degrees, or somewhat more eastwardly in Lapland; and the verge would -become _apparent_, to the navigator proceeding north, in about latitude -ninety degrees. - -The lowermost point, or the place where the distance is least from the -equator to the verge of the northern polar opening, will be found in -the Pacific ocean, about latitude fifty degrees, near the north-west -coast of America, on or near a meridian running through the mouth -of Cook's river, being in about one hundred and sixty degrees west -longitude, the real verge being in about latitude fifty degrees and -becoming apparent to a person travelling northward at right angles with -the magnetic equator, at the distance of about twelve hundred miles -further. The verge varies progressively from the lowest to the highest -point, crossing the north-west coast of America between latitude -fifty-two and fifty-four, thence across the continent of North America, -passing through Hudson's Bay and Greenland, near cape Farewell; thence -by mount Hecla to the highest point; thence tending gradually more to -the south, across the northern parts of Asia, at or near the volcanoes -of Kamtschatka, and along the extinguished volcanoes of the Fox -Islands, to the lowermost point again, near the northwest coast. - -In the southern hemisphere, the highest point, or place where the -distance is greatest from the equator to the verge of the polar -opening, will be found in the southern Pacific ocean, in about latitude -forty-six degrees south, and perhaps about longitude one hundred and -thirty degrees west; and the lowermost point, or place where the -distance is least from the equator to the verge of the opening, will be -found on a meridian south or south-east of the island of Madagascar, -in about latitude thirty-four degrees south, and longitude about -fifty degrees east; thence passing near the cape of Good Hope, across -the Atlantic ocean, and southern part of the continent of America, -through a chain of active volcanoes, to the highest point; thence -bearing regularly toward the lowest point, passing between the two -islands of New-Zealand, or across the most southerly one, and the -northernmost part of Van Dieman's land, to the lowest point, which is -south or south-east of Madagascar; the apparent verge being several -hundred miles beyond the real verge.[2] Consequently, according to -this formation of the sphere, the degrees of latitude, on different -meridians, will vary according to their distance from the polar -openings; and the magnetical equator, which encircles the sphere, -parallel to the plane of the polar openings, would cut the real equator -at an angle of twelve degrees. A person standing on the highest part -of the apparent verge would appear to be under the polar star, or -nearly so, and at the ninetieth degree of latitude. The meridians -all converge to the highest point of the verge, or the ninetieth -degree; consequently, in tracing a meridian of longitude, you would -pursue a direction at right angles to the equator, until you arrived -in the neighbourhood of the real verge of the polar opening, when -the meridians would change their direction and turn along between -the real and apparent verges towards the highest point, until they -all terminated at the ninetieth degree of latitude; this being the -direction a person would travel in order to have his back to the sun -always at 12 o'clock, the time of his greatest altitude. Although -the particular location of the places where the verges of the polar -openings are believed to exist, may not have been ascertained with -absolute certainty, yet they are believed to be nearly correct; their -localities having been ascertained from appearances that exist in those -regions; such as a belt or zone surrounding the globe where trees and -other vegetation (except moss) do not grow; the tides of the ocean -flowing in different directions, and appearing to meet; the existence -of volcanoes; the "_ground swells_" in the sea being more frequent; the -Aurora Borealis appearing to the southward; and various other phenomena -existing in and about the same regions, mark the relative position of -the real verges. - -The heat and cold of the different climates are governed by their -distance from the verge of the polar opening, and do not depend -on their nearness to or remoteness from the equator. The natural -climates are parallel to the planes of the polar openings, and cut the -parallels of latitude at an angle of twelve degrees. When the sun is -on the tropic of Capricorn, the circle of greatest cold would be about -twenty-three and a half degrees south of the apparent verge, and when -the sun is on the tropic of Cancer this circle would probably be just -under the umbrage of the real verge: hence it follows, if this doctrine -be correct, that the climate of forty degrees north latitude on the -plains of Missouri, in the western part of the continent of America, -will be as cold in winter, as the latitude of fifty or fifty-two -degrees in Europe; and observation has fully confirmed such to be the -fact. - -The magnetic principle which gives polarity to the needle, is believed -to be regulated by the polar openings, and that the needle always -points directly to the opening, and of course parallel to a line drawn -perpendicular to the plane of the opening. And when the apparent verge -shall be passed, the needle will seem to turn nearly round, so as to -point in an opposite direction; having the contrary end north on the -interior of the sphere, that was north on the exterior, the same end -being north on the interior which was south on the exterior. Hence, -when navigators arrive in the neighbourhood of the apparent verge, the -variation of the needle becomes extreme; and when the verge is passed, -the variation is more or less reversed. The meridians run from the -highest northern to the highest southern point on the verges; hence, -in tracing a meridian, or sailing due north, we would pursue that line -which would conduct us directly from the sun at his greatest altitude; -and when we come to the verge, the meridian would vary, and wind along -the vicinity of the edge of the real verge, until it brought us to the -highest point of the apparent verge. The magnetic needle, on arriving -at the verge would appear to cease to pursue the same direction, but -would in reality continue to maintain it, and lead directly into the -polar opening. - -According to this formation of the sphere, a traveller or navigator -might proceed true north any where west of the highest point of the -verge, say on the continent of America, until he come to the verge. The -meridian on which he was travelling would then wind along the verge to -the right, until he arrived at the ninetieth degree; and by proceeding -south, in the same direction, he would arrive at the coast of Siberia, -without going far into the concavity of the sphere, and without knowing -that he had been within the verge. Should such a journey be effected, -it would appear to confirm the old theory of the form of the earth, -and put the subject at rest; although pursuing the needle might have -directed the traveller into the interior, and enabled him to discover -those fine countries which Captain Symmes alleges to exist there. - -Each of the spheres composing the earth, as well as those constituting -the other planets throughout the universe, is believed to be habitable -both on the inner and outer surface; and lighted and warmed according -to those general laws which communicate light and heat to every part of -the universe. The light may not, indeed, be so bright, nor the heat so -intense, as is indicated in high northern latitudes (about where the -verge is supposed to commence) by the paleness of the sun, and darkness -of the sky; facts, which various navigators who have visited those -regions confirm; yet they are no doubt sufficiently lighted and warmed -to promote the propagation and support of animal and vegetable life. - -The different spheres constituting our planet, and the other orbs -in creation, most probably do not revolve on axes, parallel to each -other, nor perform their revolutions in the same periods of time; as is -indicated by the spots on the belts of Jupiter, which move faster on -one belt than another. - -The atmosphere surrounding the sphere is probably more dense on the -interior than the exterior surface, the increased pressure of which -must increase the force of gravity; as the power of gravity must -increase in proportion as we approach nearer the poles.――Clouds formed -in the atmosphere of the convexity of the sphere, probably float in -through the polar openings, and visit the interior, in the form of rain -and snow. And the long continuation of winds, or regular monsoons, -which occur in some parts of the earth, may be supplied by winds -sucked into one polar opening and discharged through the other, thus -performing the circuit of the sphere; without which supposition, it -would be difficult to account for the long continued winds which, at -certain seasons, are known to blow constantly for several months, more -or less obliquely to and from the poles. - -The disciples of Symmes believe that each sphere has a cavity, or -_mid-plane space_ near the centre of the matter composing it, filled -with a very light, subtile, elastic substance, partaking somewhat, -perhaps, of the nature of hydrogen gas; which aerial fluid is composed -of _molecules_ greatly rarified in comparison with the gravity of the -extended or exposed surfaces of the sphere. This _mid-plane space_ -tends to give the sphere a degree of lightness and buoyancy. Besides -this large _mid-plane space_, perhaps numerous other interstices exist -in the sphere nearer the surface, and of more limited extent. The gas -escaping from these spaces is, no doubt, the cause of earthquakes; and -supply the numerous volcanoes. This gas becoming rarified and escaping, -must occasion most of those great revolutions and phenomena in nature, -which we know to have occurred in the geology of the earth. This aerial -fluid with which the _mid-plane spaces_ are filled, may possibly be -adapted to the support of animal life; and the interior surfaces of -the spheres formed by them, may abound with animals, with organs only -adapted to the medium which they are destined to inhabit. - -In many parts of the unfathomable ocean there may be communications -or passages from the surface of the sphere on the outer side to the -surface of the inner, at least all except the great _mid-plane space_, -through which liquid apertures, light and heat may be communicated, -perhaps, to the interior surface of the sphere. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[1] National Intelligencer of June 10th, 1824. - -[2] A tolerably correct representation of the sphere might be made by -taking a hollow terrestrial globe, such as are used in colleges, and -insert a saw at north latitude sixty-eight degrees in Lapland, sawing -obliquely through, so as to come out at latitude fifty degrees in -the Pacific ocean. The aperture thus produced, will show the general -dimensions and slope of the north polar opening. And in the southern -hemisphere, commencing with the saw at south latitude thirty four -degrees, in longitude between fifty and fifty-five degrees east, in -the Indian ocean, and sawing obliquely through, in the same manner, so -as to come out at south latitude forty-six degrees, and longitude one -hundred and thirty degrees west, in the South Pacific ocean, you will -represent the appearance of the south polar opening; and the whole will -exhibit a general representation of the sphere, according to the new -theory. - - - - -CHAPTER III. - - _Symmes's Theory supported by arguments drawn from the principles - inherent in matter, and the consequences resulting from motion; - tending to show that, from necessity, matter must form itself into - concentric circles or spheres, such as Symmes describes the earth to - be composed of._ - - -It is a principle laid down by Sir Isaac Newton, the correctness of -which is generally admitted, that "matter attracts matter in proportion -to its quantity and the squares of its distances inversely." Captain -Symmes contends that gravity consists in a certain expansive quality -in the molecules which constitute the aerial fluid called æther, -which fills universal space, and creates a pushing, instead of a -pulling power. However, let either be correct, I conceive it cannot -materially affect the principles necessary to constitute concentric -spheres: either principle, I apprehend, would lead us nearly to the -same results. When matter was in chaos, or in a form not solid, -promiscuously disseminated through universal space, suppose it then -should at once receive the impression of those universal laws by which -it is governed, and see what would be the consequence. - -According to Sir Isaac Newton's principles of gravity, the particle -of matter that happened to be the largest would attract the smaller -in its neighbourhood, which would increase the power of attraction in -proportion to the increase of matter, until all in the universe would -be collected into one vast body in the centre of space, and there -remain motionless and at rest forever. This, however, we find not to be -the case; for innumerable bodies of matter, differing in magnitude, are -known to exist throughout the universe, arranged at suitable distances -from each other, and performing certain revolutions in obedience to -certain fixed laws impressed on them. - -Now suppose all the matter in our globe to be an extended liquid mass, -the particles so disengaged from each other, as to take their positions -according to the _established_ laws of matter, and then see what would -be the consequences resulting from motion and gravity. Taking the -laws of Newton for our guide, the particles of matter in the centre -would be operated on by the power of gravity equally on all sides and -consequently be stationary. Suppose then a line struck through this -globe of matter, so as to make a globe of half the diameter of the -whole in the centre, it is plain that the inner globe would not contain -more than one eighth part as much matter as the surrounding one; hence -it would be attracted towards the surface more than to the centre, were -it not for the attraction of the matter on the opposite side exerting -an influence upon it――but this being removed to so much greater -distance, would not be more than an equipoise to the other. - -The diameter of our globe, according to the best observation, is -believed to be about 7970 English miles, and its circumference 25,038: -consequently, if it were solid, it would contain 265,078,559,622 cubic -miles of matter; while a globe of only half the diameter, would -contain only 33,134,819,952.[3] - -Suppose our globe divided into parts of one square mile on the surface, -bounded by straight lines converging to a point at the centre, as the -subjoined figure represents: - -[Illustration] - -and then suppose there were no other particles of matter in the -universe but A and B, A containing 1,328 cubic miles of matter, and B -only 166, A would attract B so as to make their centre of attraction at -O, which point would become at once the common centre: but admitting -the whole matter of the globe to exist, A would still exert its -influence on B, but both would be operated upon by T and S and the -surrounding matter, all perhaps, tending to one common centre. However, -I imagine that the tending to the centre would not be so great as is -contended for by the generally received theory, which alleges that -matter at the centre of the earth is four times as hard as hammered -iron. The Newtonian philosophy appears to contemplate a globe at rest, -and not in such rapid motion as we know the earth and other planetary -bodies to be in, communicating to them a centrifugal force, which tends -to throw matter from the centre. The rotary motion of each planet is no -doubt regulated by the quantity of matter it contains: so that at its -surface centrifugal and centripetal forces are equally balanced――the -rotary motion being adequate to communicate a force to counter-balance -the force of gravity. - -Newton ascertained by his investigations of the properties and -principles of matter, the earth to be a globe flattened at the poles: -and the French philosophers afterwards confirmed this fact by measuring -a degree in different latitudes. This difference between the equatorial -and polar diameters of the earth, and of the other planets which are -also known to be of that shape, is ascribed by those philosophers who -attempt to account for such a formation, to the projectile force of the -globe at the equator occasioned by its rotary motion. This is admitting -that the matter of our globe was once in so soft a state as to take its -form from motion; for were the earth a compact solid body, and four -times as hard as hammered iron at the centre, (as the Newtonian system -alleges) this rotary motion round an imaginary axis could never give -to the globe the form of an oblate spheroid, as is ascertained to be -the fact; because a hard solid body moving in empty space, could not be -supposed to yield into that shape by any law of action as yet unfolded -by science. - -But were the matter of this globe thrown into a confused, disorganized -state, and then put into a quick rotary motion, such as it is known to -have, it would throw off from the centre towards the surface, first the -heaviest, and next the lighter substances, which is the very order in -which they are found to be arranged, in the composition of the earth. - -This principle, for it is simply the principle of projectile force, -will account for mountains, hills, vallies, plains; and for nearly all -the inequalities on the face of the earth. These circumstances depend -on the density of substances composing the earth. Substances of the -greatest specific gravity are susceptible of the greatest projectile -force; and hence we find that mountains are composed of heavy masses -of rock, mineral substances, and heavy earths; hills, or the next -highest eminences, of earth of the next specific gravity; and plains, -or level lands, of lighter substances. Had the earth originally been -composed of one uniform substance, sand, for example, of equal fineness -and weight, the whole surface of the globe would have presented one -uniform level or unbroken plain. But, presuming that it was originally -composed of, at least, earths of different densities, the heaviest -masses would be first thrown out and raise their heads above the -surface of the ocean: thus islands would be formed; and clusters of -islands would form continents, rearing their lofty heads into the air; -and, if the substances of which they were originally composed, were not -as hard as the rocks which we now find on them, the sun and changing -temperature of the climates, might convert certain kinds of earth into -masses of stone, increasing in specific gravity by petrifaction, and -other causes, until the towering peaks of the Alps and Andes assumed -their present solid form. One continent having thus emerged, another -would naturally be produced simultaneously on the opposite side of the -sphere, as an equipoise to the first, to keep equal the earth's motion; -until all the heavy substances should be thrown out and united in a -compact sphere. - -To an observer of the earth the crust every where appears to indicate -the emergence of land from water: almost the whole surface of the -solid crust is alluvial, and by reasoning and reflecting, we are led -to the conclusion, that the solid parts of our globe are nothing more -than a crust, and formed into concentric spheres, in accordance with -the principles of projectile force. I would ask, what proofs have we, -that the sphere we inhabit is solid beyond the degree of thickness -necessary to preserve it from injury by its rapid motion round the sun, -by its diurnal motion round its own axis, and by its motion round its -common centre of gravity with the moon? It has been ascertained with -mathematical certainty, that the large planet Jupiter, is more than -1300 times the bulk of the earth, and Saturn independent of his double -ring, is about 1000 times the size. If we apply to those prodigious -bodies, the reasoning of Newton relative to plastic forms moving -variously, there is no just grounds for concluding that they are solid -substances to their centres. If they were, their vast weight and remote -position would require much more attraction than probably even the sun -could furnish, to keep them within their orbits. - -The acknowledged and received laws of gravity, together with the -measurements made on the same meridian, in different latitudes, have -demonstrated to us that the greatest mathematicians have been mistaken -as to the real figure of the earth. It is for schoolmen to make exact -calculations, respecting the force of gravity, and centrifugal and -centripetal forces; it is for them to determine with mathematical -certainty where matter, left to its own laws, would settle; for such -undertakings, I acknowledge my incompetency. But I have long had strong -doubts, whether the laws of gravity are well understood; or whether the -rules on which these calculations could be accurately made, are exactly -known. However, I take the broad principles of nature, as presented to -my view, for my guide; and draw my conclusions from what I have seen or -what is well known to exist. - -Observe the boy hurling a stone from a sling; he whirls it round his -head for a minute to acquire a certain degree of centrifugal force, -and although it is not whirled with half the velocity the earth -revolves on its axis, yet as soon as it is released from confinement, -notwithstanding the whole power of the earth is operating on it with -all the force of gravity, the centrifugal force which the stone -acquired by the whirling is sufficient to carry it off, at a tangent to -the circle described by the sling, for a very considerable distance, -before the gravity of the earth and atmospheric obstruction can force -it to the ground. - -If you will take the trouble to examine a mechanic grinding cutlery -on a large stone that is smooth on the sides and has a quick motion, -you may observe that if a certain portion of water be poured on the -perpendicular side whilst the stone is turning, it does not settle or -form itself into a body round the crank or axis; nor does the gravity -of the earth draw it from the surface, but forms itself on the side -of the stone into something resembling concentric circles, one within -another. The surface of the earth, I apprehend, revolves with much -greater velocity than any grindstone; and the substances composing the -spheres are much firmer than water. - -Most of us, I presume, have seen persons for amusement, in displaying -feats of dexterity, place a full glass of wine or water on a hoop, and -whirl it round their heads without spilling one drop. The centrifugal -force it acquires by the revolutions overcomes the power of gravity, -although nothing appears to support it but the common atmosphere. - -Another experiment, producing a similar effect, might be made with -a cup filled with fine sand. On the surface of the sand, describe a -circle nearly in the centre; it will then be apparent, on observing -the cup, that the sand within the circle, provided the particles -attract one another as the planets do, is as much attracted towards one -verge of the cup as the other; owing to its being equally surrounded -by matter or sand, and therefore it can be but very little, if any, -gravitated centrewise. Hence, being in a degree suspended, only a -small horizontal rotary motion is required to whirl it towards the -rim or sides of the cup into a circular form; and hence it follows, -that those particles of sand lying equidistant from the inner side -of the circle of sand thus formed, and the outer side would be in -like manner balanced, or supported, by being equally gravitated in -both directions. A disposition would thus be produced to form into -concentric circles, and it would therefore follow, that successive -similar dispositions to subdivision should occur, gradually lessening -in force and quantity. This principle applied to the earth or other -planets, would cause them to be formed into concentric spheres; and -would throw the matter from the axis, as well at the poles, as at the -centre, and thereby constitute open poles. - -Another simple experiment might also be made, to illustrate that a -disposition to concentric spheres does exist in nature. On a piece -of paper sift a small quantity of very fine magnetic particles, such -as steel or iron filings, under which hold a loadstone; and you will -observe that the attractive power of the magnet will cause the filings -on the paper to arrange themselves into various concentric circles, -nearly regular and equidistant from each other. From what cause should -this take place, rather than that the filings should be accumulated -into one mass? - -Various have been the conjectures relative to the cause and origin of -the meteoric stones, or fire balls, which have been known to fall to -the earth, in all ages, and in various parts of the world. Some have -imagined them to be precipitated from a comet or some of the planets; -others that they come from the moon; and Captain Symmes's opinion, -I believe, is that they are formed isolated in space by spontaneous -accumulations, as by attracting molecules of matter at first in a -fluid state, which afterwards solidifies by heat or motion. But come -from whence they may, they are said to be constituted of a substance -unknown to our geologists; and in several instances the fragments have -been ascertained to consist of pieces, some of which have concave and -some convex surfaces, affording a certain proof that previous to their -descent, they had been constituted of hollow spheres. - -Professor Silliman, of Yale college, has preserved some of the -fragments of one of these fire balls; and in his valuable journal, -has given the public an able description of the facts which occurred, -when they fell. This fire ball fell in the state of Connecticut, in -the year 1807, producing three distinct reports, like a cannon, making -three convulsive leaps or throes in its course, which were simultaneous -no doubt with the explosions, becoming less luminous after each, and -being quite extinguished at the third. Three showers of stones fell -to the earth in a line with its course; the second shower fell five -miles distant from the first, and the last three or four miles from the -second. Some of the fragments were found to be concave, others convex, -and especially on those sides of the fragments which were glazed with -sooty crusted surface, as if vitrified. - -These phenomena are precisely such as would occur, supposing the fire -ball to have been a small satellite, or erratic planet, at first fluid, -which had become so condensed by the increased action of terrestrial -gravity, occasioned by its sudden approach, as to cause its fluid parts -to chrystalize and form into, at least, three concentric spheres; and -the latent heat and light set free by such rapid condensation as to -produce the meteoric flame; which in this case was almost equal in -light to that of the sun at mid-day. As soon as the spheres became -sufficiently solidified to prevent the heated aerial fluid, contained -in the mid-plane cavities of the spheres, from passing out with -freedom, when expanded by the heat; or let the atmospheric air pass -in, in case a condensation within afforded a vacuum; the solid crusts -of the spheres would be disruptured successively one after the other; -lose their regular rotation, and fall in fragments to the earth. The -fall of this body is not a solitary instance of the kind: others have -fallen in many parts of the earth, attended with phenomena more or less -the same. - -On the 16th of January, 1818, in Florida, near Mobile bay, a fire ball -bursted with a considerable report. Immediately before the explosion, -it was observed to project a cone of fire from each pole horizontally -and at right angles with its course. Its bursting like a bomb-shell, -indicated that it must have been hollow; and the two cones of light -which appeared, beside its train, showed that it was open at the poles. - -Turn your attention to the general economy of nature throughout -her works, and you will perceive in various and almost innumerable -substances that she forms hollow cylinders or spheres in the room of -solid ones. Enquire of the botanist, and he will tell you that the -plants which spring up spontaneously, agreeable to the established -laws of nature, are hollow cylinders. If a hollow globe would answer -the ends of supporting organic life as well as a solid one――why not -be hollow, as well as a stalk of wheat? or by what laws is the stalk -of wheat governed, that it should _always_ grow hollow? What law in -nature causes the quills and feathers of a bird to be hollow cylinders? -Why are they not solid? I presume it is for this plain reason, that -nature, throughout all her works, has wisely assigned to every thing -just matter enough for strength and usefulness; and has in no case -overburthened it with unnecessary and cumbrous weight. - -Enquire of the anatomist, and he will tell you that the large bones -of all animals are hollow, and particularly that the bones of birds -are more than ordinarily so: even the minutest hairs of our heads are -hollow. - -Go to the mineralist, and he will inform you that the stone called -Ærolites, and many other mineral bodies, are composed of hollow -concentric circles; and, that strata of different kinds abound in -various mineral substances. Even the earth itself is composed, -as geologists tell us, of various strata, composed of different -substances, and varying from one degree of density to another. If -every part of our globe be regulated according to the received laws of -gravity, and the relative density of matter, why do we find almost all -over the world, light alluvial soil in the vallies and plains; and on -the tops of the highest mountains, the more heavy granite, and some of -the heaviest substances that nature knows? We can hardly indulge the -thought that all this is the work of volcanic eruptions or some dread -throe of nature. - -However, if we direct our attention alone to those general laws which -are known, and which are believed to govern matter, I apprehend it -would be very difficult to account for the creation of worlds, and -the admirable arrangement which subsists throughout the universe. To -account for every thing, either according to the old or new theory, -would be attempting too much. It would be placing the Deity in some -corner of the universe an idle spectator, whilst matter governed by its -own laws, was forming itself into worlds and systems; the bare thought -of which is irreverent. Is the existence of matter owing to some other -first cause, or did matter create itself, and impress upon itself the -laws which govern it? Such an idea is absurd. We might as well imagine -that matter created God, as itself. By attempting to trace every effect -to some natural cause, is attempting to do more than we shall ever be -able to accomplish. Such a course of reasoning must lead us to the -conclusion that there is no God, or first cause; or, at least, to what -would be nearly the same thing, that there is no need of one. - -But in reasoning upon this subject, I take it for granted, that there -is a God, and that he is the first cause of all things, the creator of -all the orbs in the universe, be they either solid globes or concentric -spheres; and I hope such is the reader's belief. And I cannot discover -in this any thing derogatory from His infinite power, wisdom, or divine -economy, in the formation of a hollow world and concentric spheres, any -more than in that of solid ones. I should rather be of opinion, that -a construction of all the orbs in creation, on a plan corresponding -with Symmes's theory, would display the highest possible degree of -perfection, wisdom, and goodness――the most perfect system of creative -economy――and, (as Dr. Mitchill expresses it) _a great saving of stuff_. - -FOOTNOTE: - -[3] The solidity of the earth is easily calculated by the measure of a -meridional degree; but the result will be different according to the -measurement assumed, as the length of a degree differs in different -latitudes. "Notwithstanding all the admeasurements that have hitherto -been made, it has never been demonstrated, in a satisfactory manner, -that the earth is strictly a spheroid; indeed, from observations made -in different parts of the earth, it appears that its figure is by no -means that of a regular spheroid, nor that of any other known regular -mathematical figure; and the only certain conclusions that can be drawn -from the works of the several gentlemen employed to measure the earth -is, that the earth is something more flat at the poles than at the -equator." [Keith on globes p. 56. New-York, 1811.] - -According to Mott's translation of Newton's Principia, book 3, page -243, the equatorial diameter of the earth is 7964 English miles, and -the polar diameter 7929, for as 230:229::7964:7929 miles, the polar -axis. - -Cassini, who adopted Picard's measure of a degree, makes the diameter -of the earth 7967 statute miles; others have estimated it at 7917, -and some at 7910 miles. But the estimate which is now esteemed most -correct, I believe, is, that the equatorial diameter is 7977 English -miles, and the polar diameter 7940. From this we may ascertain the -solid contents of the earth. The axis of the earth then assumed to be -7940 and 7977 miles respectively, the area of the generating eclipse is -(7940 × 7977 × 0,7854=) 49745178,252: and its area multiplied by two -thirds of the longer axis, gives the solidity equal to (49745178,252 × -2/3 × 7977=) 264544857944,136 cubic miles. - - - - -CHAPTER IV. - - _Arguments in support of Symmes's Theory, drawn from celestial - appearances._ - - -That a disposition to hollow cylinders does exist in nature, I -think, must be admitted; and that a similar principle exists in the -planetary system, at least in some degree, appears to me as certain. -Every person has seen or heard of Saturn and his rings. At certain -periods of time the appearance of this planet, viewed through a good -telescope, represents him to be surrounded with two luminous rings or -bodies of matter, concentric with each other, and with the body of the -planet. These rings no where adhere to the body of the planet, but are -distinct and separate, some considerable distance from him, and from -each other, leaving a portion of vacant space between the planet and -the rings, through which we see the fixed stars beyond.[4] It is a -fact, I believe, admitted by all, and of which we have positive ocular -demonstration, that these rings are constituted of some kind of matter, -if not solid, at least to all appearance as much so as the body of the -planet. Their thickness must be very inconsiderable, for when the edge -is turned to the eye it is no longer visible, except to the powerful -reflecting telescope of Dr. Herschel.――Thus the rings undergo phases -according to the position of the planet in his orbit, which prove them -to be opaque, like other bodies in the planetary system, and like them -shining by reflection. I am not informed what is the precise velocity -of the rotary motion of the rings; probably their varying aspect, or -some other cause has prevented a correct observation from being made. -However, the planet itself revolves on its axis, with an astonishing -velocity; and no doubt the rings also, though perhaps with different -degrees of velocity. - -The appearance of Saturn, I conceive, establishes the fact, that -the principle of concentric spheres, or hollow planets, does exist, -at least in one instance, in the solar system. And if the fact be -established that it exists in one case, is it not fair, nay, is it -not almost a certain and necessary consequence, that the same laws of -matter which formed one planet into concentric spheres, must form all -the others on a plan more or less the same? If we draw any conclusion, -or form any opinion at all, respecting the formation of the planets, -whose inner parts we cannot see; or if we form any opinion in relation -to our own planet in particular, whose poles have never been explored, -would not reasoning from analogy bring us to the conclusion, that all -bodies of matter are formed similar to that of Saturn, unless we have -positive proof to the contrary? But it is not in Saturn alone that we -find proof of the principles contended for by Captain Symmes. Most, if -not all of the other planets, belonging to our system, whose relative -situation afford us an opportunity of observation, appear to exhibit -strong proofs that the same principles prevail throughout. - -The planet Mars, exhibits concentric circles round one or the other -of his poles, according as either is more or less in opposition to -us. These circles appear alternately light and dark, exactly as they -should, supposing the planet to be constituted of concentric spheres, -(such as Symmes believes of the earth) the light being reflected from -their verges on which it falls; and in which case the vacant space -between the spheres would necessarily appear dark. - -Sometimes he appears to us with a single ring at each pole. At such -times his axis is at right angles, or nearly so, with a line drawn -from the earth to his centre. This, I conceive, can be accounted for -by the great refraction, occasioned by the increased density of his -atmosphere around the poles, which appears to throw out the further -sides of the verges so as to make them appear like rings, in the -form they present themselves to our view. That such is the natural -appearance may be evidenced by taking a small wooden sphere with open -poles, and immerse it in a circular glass vessel filled with water; -when viewed horizontally through the side of the glass, with the plane -of the openings at a right angle with the visual ray, the refraction -occasioned by the water, answering to the dense atmosphere of Mars, -will apparently throw out the polar openings, and present you with a -view, similar to the appearance of Mars, when his axis is at right -angles to us. - -Our next neighbour, Venus, between us and the sun, (though her being -between us and the sun prevents us from having so favourable an -opportunity of examining her poles, as those of Mars, who is our next -neighbour on the side opposite the sun) presents appearances at -certain times, which seem to lead to the conclusion, that she also is -constituted of concentric spheres. At times, when this planet is nearly -a crescent, we are able to discover a deficient space near the tip -of one of her horns. Admitting Venus to be constituted of concentric -spheres with open poles; and supposing one of the vacant spaces, -between two of her spheres about the polar openings, to traverse her -horn or cusp, at the place where the dark space occurs,――it would -present to us exactly such an appearance as does actually occur. - -At other times, one of the horns or cusps of Venus is seen to wind -inward as it were into the body of the planets, extending about fifteen -degrees further than the other horn. This is an appearance which would -also be presented, if Venus is formed according to Symmes's theory. -And again, supposing one of her horns to terminate around the verge of -a polar opening, in such way as to follow the curve of the verge for -some distance, (which is of course more curved than the periphery of -the planet) and the same appearances, I think, would occur. The axis of -the planet not being at right angles with the polar openings, in its -revolutions one side of the verge would be thrown much nearer to us -than the other; and the different spheres revolving on their axes with -different velocities would at different times exhibit to our view the -verge of a different sphere.[5] - -The axis of the planet Jupiter is always at right angles with a line -drawn to the earth, consequently his poles are never presented to us; -but his belts, which we can and do see, seem to speak loudly in favour -of a plurality of spheres. The most common appearance of Jupiter is, -that he is surrounded by four belts; two bright and two dark, alternate -to each other. But they are variable, presenting different appearances; -at some times seven or eight belts are discoverable, at other times -they appear interrupted in their length, and to increase and diminish -alternately, running into each other, and again to separate into a -number of belts of a smaller size. If Jupiter be a solid globe, I -would enquire, how is it possible to account for those various changes -in his belts, or even for their existence at all? Astronomers, I -understand, have heretofore considered the phenomena of Jupiter's belts -as altogether unaccountable. If he be a simple plain globe, those belts -could not exist; or if they did, they must forever remain uniform, -and not change their size and shape, or relative positions in respect -to each other; neither could the spots on one belt rotate faster than -those on another. But if we adopt the doctrine of concentric spheres, -and that this planet is composed of a number of them, we can account -at once for all the various appearances in a rational manner. The -belts would be produced by the shadow cast on the space between the -polar opening of one sphere and the adjoining one; that is, a portion -of the sunshine, would be reflected from the verges of the spheres -on which it fell; and another portion would appear to be swallowed -by the intervening space. And if refraction bends the rays of vision -between and under his spheres, as it bends a portion of the rays of the -sun, so as to produce the apparent belts of comparative shade, then a -very complete solution of those appearances, heretofore considered -wonderful, would be afforded. The variation which has been observed in -their number, shape, and dimensions, can in no way be better accounted -for, than by concluding the planet to be constituted of a number of -concentric spheres, of different breadths, revolving on different -axes, and with different velocities, so as sometimes to present to our -view the verge of one sphere, and sometimes that of another: and the -rays of the sun falling on the parts of the verges presented to us, -would occasion the diversified appearances which we discover. If some -sections of both crusts of the spheres be formed of water alone, and -become occasionally transparent, it will afford an additional reason -for the varying phenomena attendant on these appearances, which may -also be increased by alternate regions of water, ice, dry land, and -snow. - -Modern astronomers have long noticed the spots frequently visible on -the sun. They are described as having the appearance of vast holes, -or fractures, in his outer surface or crust, through which an inner -appears to be seen. This, also, seems to favour the doctrine of -different spheres. Notwithstanding the sun revolves very slowly on his -axis, it is probable that his poles are open to a greater or less -extent; but we can never see into them, owing perhaps to the earth, -never being very far from the plane of the sun's equator, his being -such a vast deal larger than the earth, and the atmosphere surrounding -him so extremely luminous. - -Very little doubt exists in my mind, that the poles of the sun and -of Jupiter would appear somewhat like those of Mars or the rings of -Saturn, were it not that the two former never present their axes, in -any perceptible degree, towards us; neither does our satellite, the -moon, ever present either of her poles to us: hence, though this may -be in some degree open, (notwithstanding her slow rotation) owing to -her axis always being nearly at right angles with a line drawn to the -earth, we are not able to see whether they are open or not,――more -especially as her atmosphere is so light and rare as not to produce -much refraction. The vast round deep caverns observable on the surface -of the moon, appear as if they might once have been polar openings; if -so, she must frequently have changed her axis. - -The spots of light which have at different periods been discovered by -astronomers, on the surface of the moon, near her poles, when she was -on the face of the sun, in an eclipse of that luminary, are perhaps -best accounted for by supposing the sun to shine in, either at one -of her polar openings or through a cavity on her further side, and -appearing to us through one of her annular cavities, on this side, and -near her poles: Or the sun being much larger than the moon, and the -axis of the moon a little varied from right angles with the earth, (or -perhaps the low side of the sphere being next to the earth,) the sun -would shine through an annular cavity or open pole, so as to appear to -us as a spot of light on the moon's disk. - -The foregoing enumerated astronomical phenomena are some of the facts -tending to confirm and elucidate Symmes's theory. They all have been -long known to exist; yet I have never heard them accounted for to -the satisfaction of my mind. Indeed, I believe some of them never -was attempted to be accounted for in any manner whatever. I would, -therefore, request the reader, who may deign to give the subject -a serious thought, to reflect, that if all the celestial orbs are -entire round globes, as the old theory considers them to be, on -what principles, or in what manner, could they present the various -appearances which I have enumerated? Why should the horns of Venus -assume different shapes? What would make the appearance of belts on -Jupiter? Or rings and concentric circles at the poles of Mars? And, -finally, in what position could a round solid globe be placed, to -exhibit the rings of Saturn, revolving with different velocities, as -it respects each other, and spaces appearing between them and the body -of the planet, through which stars, millions of miles beyond, can be -distinctly seen? These are phenomena I should like to hear explained. -On the principle of concentric spheres, they can all be accounted -for in a most satisfactory manner. They appear perfectly plain and -intelligible. What was thought to be involved in inexplicable mystery, -and mid-night darkness now perfectly accords with the established laws -of nature, and can be understood by the most ordinary capacity. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[4] Physical World, p. 42.――Adam's Philosophy, vol. 4, p. 206; -Philadelphia, 1807. - -[5] "Dr. Herschel has observed a faint illumination in the unlighted -part of the planet Venus, which he ascribes to some phosphoric quality -of its atmosphere." Editor's note to Adams' Philosophy, vol. 4, p. 204, -Philadelphia, 1807. - -_Quere_――Might not such an appearance be accounted for as rationally, -by supposing the rays of the sun to shine or be reflected, through -one of her polar openings, and fall on the verge of the sphere at the -opposite polar opening? - - - - -CHAPTER V. - - _The Theory of Concentric Spheres, supported by arguments drawn from - Terrestrial facts; such as the migration of animals to and from the - arctic regions, and from refraction, and the variation of the compass, - observed in high northern latitudes._ - - -I would now advert to a few of the known terrestrial facts, which have -a tendency to support the theory advanced by Captain Symmes; such as -the migration of animals, including beasts, birds, and fishes, in the -arctic regions; and from refraction, and the variation of the compass -observed in high northern latitudes. - -It is a fact well attested by whalers and fishers in the northern -seas; and one that almost every author who adverts to the northern -fisheries confirms, that innumerable and almost incredible numbers of -whales, mackerel, herring, and other migratory fish, annually come -down in the spring season of the year, from the artic seas towards -the equator. Some authors describe the shoals of herring alone, to -be equal in surface to the island of Great Britain. Besides these, -innumerable shoals of other fish also come down. These fish when they -first come from the north in the spring, are in their best plight and -fattest condition: but as the season advances, and they move on to the -southward, they become poor; so much so, that by the time they get on -the coast of France, or Spain, as fishermen say, they are scarce worth -catching. - -The history of the migratory fish affords strong grounds to conclude, -that the shoals which come from the north, are like swarms of bees from -the mother hive, never to return; particularly the herring and other -small fish. They are not known to return in shoals: and it is doubted -by some writers on the subject whether any of them ever return north -again, or whether they are not entirely consumed by men, and by other -fish. - -Whalers and other fishermen who go to the north, generally prosecute -their business in the seas between latitudes sixty and seventy degrees, -where whales are most abundant. Pinkerton, in his voyages, states, that -the Dutch, who at different periods got detained in the ice, and were -compelled to winter in high northern latitudes, could find but few -fish to subsist on during the winter: which proves that the migrating -fish do not winter amongst, or on this side of the ice.――All these -facts relative to fish, appear to be well authenticated. Now, were the -earth a compact and solid spheroid, according to the old theory; and -were the seas frozen nearly to the bottom at the poles, as we would -be led to conclude, where could all those fish, that come down to us -every spring, breed? or, if they even all returned in the autumn, -and all the north were a sea that did not freeze even to the poles, -it would require a great stretch of credulity to imagine where they -could obtain food for the winter; or even if their source of food were -inexhaustible, could the region of the pole afford space sufficient for -their health, so as to migrate south in the spring? If the earth be -not hollow, (or at least greatly concave about the poles) where could -all those fish find room in winter? But on Symmes's plan, admitting -the globe to be a hollow sphere, and the inner, or concave part, as -habitable as without, (at least as habitable for fish) the whole matter -is at once explained. - -Whales, and various fish, delight in cold regions. According to -Symmes's Theory, a zone at a short distance beyond the real verge of -the sphere, (which constitutes the coldest part, or as he has thought -proper to term it, "the icy circle,") commencing at the highest point, -in about latitude sixty-eight degrees, in the northern sea, near -Norway, thence gradually declining to about latitude fifty degrees in -the Pacific ocean, which is the lowest point, and thence regularly -round again to the highest point. A certain distance beyond this, and -short of the apparent verge, this zone, or icy circle exists, which is -believed to be the coldest region of the earth. After passing this, we -would advance into the interior of the globe, and into a milder clime. -In the interior region, it is contended, those immense shoals of fish -are propagated and grow, which annually come out and afford us such -an abundant supply: nor does it appear that the interior parts of the -sphere are altogether forsaken by the fish in summer; for shoals of fat -mackerel and herring come down from the north in autumn, as well as in -the spring. - -The seal, another animal found in cold regions, is also said to migrate -north twice each year; going once beyond the icy circle to produce -their young; and again to complete their growth, always returning -remarkably fat――an evidence that they find something more than snow -and ice to feed on in the country to which they migrate. - -Numerous other facts of importance, relative to the migration -of quadrupeds, are well authenticated by travellers and others: -particularly that of the rein-deer. In Rees's Cyclopedia, under the -head, "Hudson's Bay," it is stated, that the rein-deer are seen in -the spring season of the year, about the month of March or April, -coming down from the north, in droves of eight or ten thousand, and -that they are known to return northward in the month of October, when -the snow becomes deep. Hudson's Bay is situated between sixty and -sixty-five degrees north latitude. We are informed by professor Adams -of St. Petersburgh, that on the northern coast of Asia, every autumn -the rein-deer start north-eastwardly from the river Lena, and return -again in the spring, in good condition: the mouth of the river Lena -is in about latitude seventy degrees north. This appears to me rather -a mystery according to the old theory of the earth, for why should -those deer when the cold commences, seek a colder climate, and a more -sterile country? The inhospitable coast of Liberia and Hudson's Bay, in -the gloom of a dark winter, I should suppose, would be cold enough, -without their seeking to spend the winter among nothing but eternal -mountains of ice at the pole; where nature must be robed in snows and -crowned with storms. - -Hearne, who travelled very high north and northwest on the continent -of America, details various facts in his journal, which strongly -corroborate Symmes's position. Some of the facts he attempts to explain -agreeably to his own ideas, and others he considers inexplicable. -Among a great collection of facts, he states, that large droves of -_musk-oxen_ abound within the arctic circle, few of which ever come -so far south as the Hudsons-Bay factories. He mentions seeing in the -course of one day, several herds of those animals, of seventy or eighty -in a herd, in about latitude sixty-eight degrees. He states that the -polar white bears are very rarely found by any of the Indians in -winter; and that their winter retreats appear to be unknown;[6] that -they are sometimes seen retiring towards the sea on the ice in autumn; -and appear again in great numbers in the latter end of March, bringing -their young with them. - -Hearne also states, that the white or arctic foxes are, some years, -remarkably plentiful; and always come from the north; that their -numbers almost exceed credibility; that it is well known none of them -ever migrate again to the northward; and that naturalists are at a -loss to know where they originate.[7] He also mentions that all kinds -of game, as well as fish, in those high latitudes, are at some seasons -excessively plentiful, and at others extremely scarce. - -These facts strongly corroborate the doctrine of a hollow sphere: -otherwise, why should the rein-deer, and other animals, migrate north -instead of south; as our Buffalo on the plains of Missouri do, when -pressed with snow and cold weather? Instinct generally leads animals -to fruitful and productive, rather than unproductive, regions; why -then proceed north on the approach of winter, unless in expectation -of finding a warmer climate, or, at least, a more mild and plentiful -country, beyond the icy circle? Independent of the immense droves of -rein-deer, great numbers of musk-oxen, white bears, and white foxes, -spend their winters towards the north; which tends to establish the -fact, that a considerable extent of land must exist in that quarter -of the earth. This, however, would infringe on the space necessary to -accommodate the vast quantities of fish which appear to be propagated -in that region, if the old system were true. - -If we were to judge of the internal surface of the sphere, by -its animal productions,――admitting that those animals heretofore -enumerated, are propagated there,――we should conclude that the internal -region of the earth is as much more favourable to the support of animal -life, as the rein-deer is larger than our deer, and the white bear -larger than our bear; and, consequently, we must conclude that there -are more salubrious climates and better countries within, than any we -have yet discovered without. - -Hearne also informs us that swans, geese, brants, ducks, and other -wild water-fowl, are so numerous about Hudson's Bay, in the spring and -summer, that the company every season salt up vast quantities of them, -sometimes sixty or seventy hogs-heads.[8] He enumerates ten different -species of geese, several of which, (particularly the snow geese, the -blue geese, brent geese, and horned wavey,) lay their eggs and raise -their young in some country unknown, even to the Indians;[9] as their -eggs and young are never seen by them, neither have the most accurate -observers been able to discover where they make their winter residence; -as it is well known that they do not migrate to the southward; but -few of them ever pass to the south, and some of the species are said -never to have been seen south of latitude fifty-nine degrees.[10] Most -of those fowls molt or shed their feathers in a peculiar manner, in -summer, and become nearly naked. Hence it would seem that they must -breed in winter while absent, for it is impossible that they could lay -and sit whilst molting; whereas, the migratory geese and ducks of this -country are not known to shed their feathers, in any great degree; and -are well known to raise their young in the summer, whilst in the north. -It may, therefore, be inferred, that many of those water-fowls, which -Hearne describes, raise their young beyond the icy circle and within -the sphere. As many of the ten species of geese he saw there, are -unknown further south, it establishes the fact, that they do not come -to the south to winter. - -In the papers of the Honourable D. Barrington, and Colonel Beaufoy, on -the possibility of approaching the north pole, read before the Royal -Society of London, there is an extensive collection of instances cited, -where navigators have reached high northern latitudes; from which it -appears to be well authenticated, that navigators have in numerous -instances reached the latitude of eighty-two, eighty-three, and -eighty-four degrees:[11] and some are said to have sailed as far north -as eighty-eight and eighty-nine degrees.[12] It is almost uniformly -stated, that in those high latitudes, the sea is clear of ice, or -nearly so, and the weather moderate.[13] To cite the various instances -in which navigators have sailed far north, would be too tedious:[14] -the whole book principally consists of a series of facts, which have -a strong bearing on the subject, and to which I would refer the reader -who feels disposed to investigate. The whole appears to strengthen the -opinion, that there is a barrier, or circle of ice, about where the -whalers go to fish; but, when that is passed, we come to an open sea, -and a more temperate region. - -The sea is stated to be open, and always clear of ice, even in the -middle of winter, on the northern part of Spitzbergen, which is -situated in latitude eighty degrees north; and the further north the -more clear it is of ice.[15] But, at the same season, on the southern -parts of Spitzbergen, the sea is bound up with solid and compact ice. - -If the doctrine be true, that the earth is a solid spheroid, the cold -must increase regularly as we approach the pole, and, consequently, -vegetation invariably diminish: this, however, is ascertained not -to be the fact. Nova-Zembla, which is situated in north latitude -seventy-six degrees, produces no timber, nor even a blade of grass,[16] -consequently, all the quadrupeds which frequent it, are foxes and -bears; both carniverous animals. On the coast of Greenland, about -latitude sixty-five and seventy degrees, neither timber nor grass -grows;[17] while on the northern parts of Spitzbergen, they have -rein-deer, which are often exceedingly fat; and Mr. Grey mentions -three or four species of plants which grow and flower there, during the -summer.[18] - -On any meridian passing through England, it is ascertained to be -more temperate at the latitude of eighty degrees north, than at -seventy-three degrees:[19] and both Pinkerton and Barrington inform -us, that beyond the latitude of seventy-five degrees, the north winds -are frequently warm in winter;[20] that in the middle of winter for -several weeks, there falls almost continued rain; and that vegetables -and animals are more abundant at the latitude of eighty degrees than at -seventy-six degrees. - -It has long been observed that the climates vary very considerably -on the same parallels of latitude. New York, which is situated in -latitude 40 degrees, is known to be considerably colder in the winter -than London, which is situated in latitude fifty-five degrees; and the -parallel of latitude forty degrees on the plains of Missouri is much -colder than the city of New-York. The climate at St. Peters, on the -Mississippi, which is in latitude forty-six degrees, is said to be -considerably colder than Quebec.[21] This difference of climate has, by -some, been attempted to be accounted for, on the principle that land -is colder than water, and that the cold is occasioned by the large -portion of land in the continent of America: however, I submit to the -consideration of the reader, whether so great a difference could arise -from a cause of this nature. - -In the northern sea, between Spitzbergen and the continent of America, -there is a strong current, which always comes from the north, and -sets southwardly.[22] It has been stated by some, that, in the spring -season of the year, the water of this current is warmer and fresher -than the surrounding water of the sea. Various other currents have, -at different times, been observed, in different parts of the sea, -setting from the north. Floating southwardly on these currents, have -been seen large masses of ice, from fresh water rivers, with wolves -and bears occasionally on them. New fallen trees have also been seen -floating from the north; and various kinds of timber, some of which -the species have hitherto been unknown, are frequently found lodged -on the northern part of the coast of Norway, having drifted from some -region still farther north. Trees have also been found floating in the -ocean at latitude eighty degrees; when no timber is known to grow north -of latitude seventy degrees. Also, seeds unknown to our botanists, -and those of tropical plants have been found drifted on the coast of -Norway, and parts adjacent, many of which were in so fresh a state -as to vegetate and grow;[23] when it is well known that no plant of -their species comes to perfection in any known climate far without the -tropics. And, what makes the matter particularly extraordinary, is, -that these things appear to be drifted by currents coming from the -north; when, according to the old theory, we must believe the sea to -be always frozen at the poles, which would render it difficult, if not -impossible, to account for the existence of the currents at all. - -In the United States of America, and in Europe, the Aurora Borealis -is always seen to the north: But many of those travellers and -navigators, who penetrated to high northern latitudes, observed the -Aurora Borealis in the south, and never in the north. The region in -which it is believed to exist, is supposed to be about the place where -the verge commences, and about fifty or sixty miles above the plane -of the earth's surface; and that the travellers who discovered these -appearances south of them, were at that time beyond the verge. - -The Indians discovered by Captain Ross, on the coast of Baffin's bay, -in the summer of 1818, in latitude seventy-five degrees fifty-five -minutes north, when interrogated from whence they came, pointed to -the north, where, according to their account, there were "plenty of -people;"[24] that it was a warmer country; and that there was much -water there. And when Captain Ross informed them that he came from the -contrary direction, pointing to the south, they replied, "that could -not be, because there was nothing but ice in that direction:"[25] -Consequently these people must live in a country not composed of ice; -for it appears they deem such an one uninhabitable. Hence we must -infer, if the relation given by Captain Ross be correct, that, north of -where they then were, the climate becomes more mild, and is habitable; -a change, the cause of which is not easily accounted for on the old -philosophic principles. - -In high northern latitudes, owing to refraction, or some other peculiar -circumstance, which hitherto has not, to my knowledge, been attempted -to be accounted for, the extent of vision appears to be greatly -increased; so that objects, much further than the ordinary distance, -are distinctly seen; frequently appearing elevated above the sea, or -their real situation; and their image sometimes pictured in the sky. -The real objects, themselves, are sometimes seen with the naked eye one -hundred and forty or one hundred and fifty miles,[26] and sometimes -at the astonishing distance of two hundred miles. These facts are -well attested by Captain Ross and other navigators. How this can be -accounted for, on the formation maintained by the old theory, I cannot -conjecture. I believe it is admitted that the deck of a vessel at sea, -any where between the equator and latitude fifty or sixty degrees, -cannot be discovered, even by the best telescope, at a greater distance -than twelve or fifteen miles.[27] Nay, were there no end to vision, and -could the eye penetrate two hundred miles through our atmosphere with -sufficient clearness, it would require an observer to be elevated about -five miles, before he could discover an object on the surface of the -earth two hundred miles distant. But, on the edge of the verge of the -polar opening, if the atmosphere were clear, and the power of vision -strong enough, an observer might discover objects situated on the verge -at any point all round the sphere; as they would be on an exact plane -with the observer. And on the contrary, travelling across the verge -from the convexity to the concavity of the sphere, a very few miles -make objects disappear. - -All northern navigators and travellers agree, that high north the -sun becomes less bright, and the sky darker, than in more southern -latitudes. Is not this owing to the rays of the sun being refracted -round the verge of the polar opening? Another circumstance, observed -by navigators, who have visited high latitudes is, that the latitude -and longitude, as found by celestial observation, frequently differ -very materially, sometimes as much as one half, from that given by -the log-line.[28] It has also been observed that the mercury in the -barometer is less fluctuating in northern regions, than it is further -south. - -Those appearances observed in the southern hemisphere, which are termed -Magellanic clouds, by navigators, have not, so far as I know, been -accounted for. They are three in number, of an irregular shape, and -observed by night in the South Atlantic, and the south-east parts of -the Pacific oceans, (reversed from New-Holland and New-Zealand,) but -never visible in the eastern parts of the Indian ocean: their colour -is like that of far distant mountains, on which the sun is shining. In -the one sea they appear due south, and in the other to the left. They -are stationary, appearing perpetually fixed at a certain height, and -in a particular situation, as viewed from any given place. The stars -and the heavens, in their diurnal revolutions, sweep by them, and they -remain the same. To the navigator, who proceeds to the east or west, -they appear to be more or less to the right or left of the meridian, -in proportion as he changes his longitude; and as he sails south, they -increase in height, until they reach the zenith, and finally become -north, when seen by an observer south of the straits of Magellan, which -is in latitude fifty-two degrees south. Captain Symmes accounts for -the appearance of these clouds by the great refractive power of the -atmosphere about the polar openings; causing the opposite side of the -verge to appear pictured in the sky, as navigators inform us objects do -sometimes appear, in the arctic regions; and in the manner Scoresby's -ship appeared in the sky, with every particular about her so accurately -represented, as to be at once identified by the observers, though the -vessel, at that time, was at such a distance as to render it rather -incredible how she could be seen at all. As proof of this position, -Captain Symmes alleges, that the relative position, shape, and -proportions of these clouds, agree in their general outlines with the -southern part of New-Zealand, the southeast part of New-Holland, and -the whole of Van-Dieman's land, which are situated on, and near to the -verge of the sphere, opposite to where the clouds are visible. These -clouds are only seen in the night when the atmosphere is clear, at -which time the sun is shining on the islands in question. Hence it is -alleged, that from these facts, their relative appearance is deducible. -As we are never sensible that the rays of light are refracted by the -medium through which they pass before they reach our visual organs; we -frequently imagine objects to be situated where they really are not; -and such is believed to be the case as respects Van-Dieman's and the -circumjacent land, as before described. - -Franklin, in his journey far north, on the continent of America, -discovered a cloud, which appeared to remain always in the same -position, and which the Indians informed him was permanent. Not having -the book at hand, I cannot now advert particularly to what he says on -the subject: but, from memory only, recollect that he states something -to that effect. If such an appearance exist there, may it not be -accounted for in the same manner as the Magellanic clouds? - -Navigators, who have sailed far north, admit the variation of the -needle to be excessive. Captain Ross found it in Baffin's Bay, to be -as much as one hundred and ten degrees; and Parry, during his voyage -in 1822, found it so changed, that the needle pointed within about -fourteen degrees of south. All, I believe, concur, that this is a -phenomenon which universally occurs in high northern latitudes; but -it has hitherto remained unexplained. I believe, according to the old -theory, the needle is imagined to be attracted by something at or near -the pole: were this supposition correct, the needle would uniformly -maintain its polarity on proceeding north, on any given meridian, -until you arrived at the very pole itself. The possibility of a moving -magnetic cause is difficult, if not impossible, to be reconciled -with a solid globe; yet that the magnetic needle does vary on the -same meridian, and to a most extraordinary degree, in high northern -latitudes, is confirmed beyond all doubt. Why not then urge the -variableness of the magnetic cause against the possibility of a solid -globe? - -According to the doctrine of hollow spheres, this whole mystery, of -the variation of the compass, can be satisfactorily explained. The -magnetic needle, it is believed, regards the centre of the polar -opening, and not the pole or axis of the earth. It will be recollected, -that the axis of the earth, being at an angle of twelve or fifteen -degrees from the plane of the polar openings, causes one part of the -verge to extend farther north than the other, the highest part of which -is nearly on a meridian running through Spitzbergen, in about latitude -sixty-eight degrees, and the lowermost side in about the fiftieth -degree. Now in proceeding north on the first meridian, running near -Spitzbergen, there ought to be no variation of the needle until you -arrive at the apparent verge, when the needle would cease to traverse; -and by proceeding onwards, would turn and point south. Should you -proceed north, on a meridian west of this, when you approached the -apparent verge, the needle would seem to turn west, but in reality, -it would be the meridian turning to the right along the verge to -its highest or most northerly point; the needle keeping at a right -angle with the verge. And, in like manner, pursuing a course north, -on a meridian east of Spitzbergen, on your approach to the apparent -verge, the needle would still direct its course at a right angle -into the polar opening, (governed, most probably, by some principle -of electricity, or other property contained in matter, and kept in -one position, subject to the shape of the earth, which may not even -yet be exactly known,) the meridian would here wind to the left, and -conduct you to the highest point of the apparent verge, north of -Spitzbergen. Hence the variation of the needle would be east in Asia, -and west in America, which I am told is the fact. From an examination -of the variation of the compass, as ascertained in different degrees -of latitude and longitude, it increases as you proceed north, and -west; which would be exactly the case in accordance with the theory of -concentric spheres.[29] - -Admitting the earth to be a solid globe, and the cause of magnetism -to be some attractive power at the pole, how could the needle vary -differently on the same meridian, in different latitudes, at the -same period of time, or vary at the same place, at different periods -of time? But, admit the doctrine contended for, by the advocates -of concentric spheres, and it can be satisfactorily explained. The -observations of modern astronomers, have ascertained, that the poles, -or axis of the earth, are not always directed to the same fixed star; -and, of consequence, that the axis does not always remain parallel to -itself. This variation is discovered to be about fifty-one minutes -annually; which would make a degree in about seventy-one years: hence -the needle always pointing to the polar opening, would vary in about -that proportion, at the same place, in the same period of time.[30] - -FOOTNOTES: - -[6] Hearne's Journal, pp. 357, 368. - -[7] Hearne's Journal, pp. 364, 365. - -[8] Hearne's Journal, p. 442. - -[9] Hearne's Journal, p. 442, 443, 444, 445, 446. - -[10] Ibid, p. 445. - -[11] Barrington and Beaufoy, pp. 21, 51. - -[12] Ibid, pp. 25, 61. - -[13] Ibid, pp 25, 32, 37, 61. - -[14] _From the National Intelligencer of Sept. 30, 1824._ - -"POLAR SEAS.――The fact that there are open seas round both the earth's -poles, has received strong corroboration within the last few months. -We have now a letter on our table from a naval officer at Drontheim, -who notices the fact that Captain Sabine had good weather, and -reached eighty degrees and thirty-one minutes north latitude, without -obstruction from the ice; so that the expedition might easily have -proceeded farther had its object so required. We have also had the -pleasure to meet recently with a British officer who, with two vessels -under his command, last season penetrated to seventy-four degrees -twenty-five minutes south latitude, in the antarctic circle, which is -about three degrees beyond Cook's utmost limit. There he found the sea -perfectly clear of ice, and might have prosecuted his voyage towards -the pole, if other considerations had permitted. There was no field ice -in sight towards the south; and the water was inhabited by many finned -and hump-backed whales; the longitude was between the south Shetland -Islands, lately discovered, and Sandwich land: this proves the former -to be an Archipelago (as was supposed) and not a continent. The voyage -is remarkable as being the utmost south upon record; and we hope to -be favoured with other particulars of it. At present we have only to -add, that the variation of the needle was extraordinary, and the more -important as they could not readily be explained by the philosophical -principles at present maintained on the subject." - - _Literary Gazette._ - - -[15] Barrington and Beaufoy, p. 74. - -[16] Purchas, vol. 1, p. 479. - -[17] Hearne's Journal, p. 7. - -[18] Barrington and Beaufoy, p. 36.――Dr. Birch's history of the Royal -Society, vol. et seq. - -[19] Bar. p. 101. - -[20] Barrington and Beaufoy, pp. 25, 124. - -[21] At the mouth of St. Peter's river, in winter, it is as much colder -than at Sacket's Harbour, as Sacket's Harbour is colder than Mobile, -although St. Peter's is west and Mobile south of Sacket's Harbour, at -nearly equal distances. - -[22] Barrington and Beaufoy, p. 74.――Ross' Voyage, vol. 1, p. 52, -London, 1819. - -[23] Darwin's Botanic Garden. - -[24] Ross' Voyage, v. 1, p. 175. - -[25] Ross' Voyage, v. 1, p. 110. - -[26] Ross' Voyages, v. 1, pp. 71, 135, 199, 206. - -[27] Mackenzie states, "that sometimes the land _looms_, so that there -may be a great deception in the distances."――Mackenzie's Voyage, p. 11, -New-York, 1802. - -[28] Ross' Voyage, v. 2, p. 4, London, 1819. - -[29] Ross' Voyage, v. 2, p. 119. - -[30] Physical World, p. 72. - - - - -CHAPTER VI. - - _Facts tending to illustrate and prove the existence of a_ - mid-plane-space, _situated between the concave and convex surfaces of - the sphere._ - - -According to Symmes's Theory, each sphere has an intermediate cavity, -or _mid-plane-space_, of considerable extent, situated between the -convex and concave surfaces of the sphere, filled with a very light and -elastic fluid, rarified in proportion to the gravity, or condensing -power of the exposed surfaces of the respective spheres: and also, -various other less cavities or spaces between the larger or principal -one, and the outer and inner surfaces of the spheres, each filled with -a similar fluid or gas, most probably partaking much of the nature of -hydrogen. This fluid is lighter than that in which the sphere floats; -and has a tendency to poise it in universal space. The spheres, in many -parts of the unfathomable ocean, is believed to be water quite through -from the concave or convex surfaces to the great mid-plane-space, and -probably the earthy or solid matter of the sphere, may in many places -extend quite through from one surface to the other, tending, like ribs -or braces, to support the sphere in its proper form. Such a formation -of spheres appears to be supported by various facts and phenomena; -amongst the most prominent of which are Volcanoes and Earthquakes. Many -volcanic mountains burst out and burn for ages, discharging from the -bowels of the earth immense quantities of lava, pumice, and various -substances of various kinds. Some of these mountains have been burning -for thousands of years, at least as far back as the records of history -have been made known to us. - -Had the earth, at its formation, been a solid globe, four times as hard -as hammered iron at the centre, and gradually lessening in density -towards the surface, we must admit that it would still be solid matter. -Governing ourselves by these principles, how can we imagine that such -immense caverns, filled with combustible matter, as would be necessary -to supply those volcanoes from time immemorial, could have existed? -However, that they do exist is certain, which I think is in no way -more easily accounted for, than on the plan of a _mid-plane-space_, -or of spaces, filled with a certain hydrogenous gas, which being much -lighter than atmospheric air, if there should be any small aperture or -crevice extending from the surface to the space beneath, the gravity of -the outer part of the sphere pressing on it would occasion a portion -of this gas to escape through the aperture; and as it comes in contact -with the oxygen of the atmosphere would take fire and occasion those -tremendous explosions which we know do sometimes take place and cause -those mountains to burn for years, until the cavity which supplied the -volcanic matter, becomes exhausted; or until some shock or convulsion -consequent on the burning, may have loosened rocks or earth of the -denser part of the sphere, which falling into the aperture, choke it -up. Hence the gas ceasing to escape, the volcano would cease to burn, -until some shock or accident should again open the aperture. - -The elastic fluid, with which the _mid-plane_ cavities are filled, -being forced out into the common atmosphere, the greater degree of -gravity would condense and set free its latent heat or caloric, and be -resolved into its original base, somewhat as coal-gas, out of the tube -of a gas-light apparatus, yields up its latent heat by condensation. -Hence steam burns when mixed with coal-gas. - -If the earth be a solid globe, I am at a loss to account for the -principles on which earthquakes occur. Long before I heard of Symmes's -theory, or perhaps before it had an existence in the mind of man, -when reading accounts of earthquakes, it appeared to me altogether -unaccountable, that such violent concussions could take place in one -part of the world, and not be felt throughout the globe. It appears -altogether inconsistent, that one part of a solid piece of matter, -would be shaken so violently, without affecting the whole mass. We are -informed by authentic history, that whole islands, and vast sections -of country, have been sunk by earthquakes, and never more heard of. On -the other hand, islands which are now inhabited, and productive, have -been raised, apparently, from the bottom of the unfathomable ocean. -How such things occur, I am unable to divine. If the globe be solid, -on what principle could a large portion of its surface, which is said -to be lighter than the parts beneath, sink into a dense medium? How -could a heavy mass, lying a thousand fathoms deep at the bottom of the -ocean, rise, and be suddenly elevated above the surface of the water, -when all below is so compact, and governed by an opposite and immutable -tendency? It appears to be a solecism in nature. - -The writer had once an opportunity of witnessing some of the effects -of earthquakes. It was his fortune to be on the Mississippi river -in the year 1812, at the time when that country was so violently -convulsed with an earthquake. He saw and heard innumerable explosions, -as though a large quantity of air had been confined in the bowels of -the earth, and, seeking vent, rushed out with a tremendous sound; -forcing up considerable quantities of sand through the apertures, in -many instances mixed with black muddy water, and a substance resembling -stone coal, or carbonated wood, which emitted a strong bituminous -odour, when exposed to fire. - -At one place the river was stopped in its course a short time: the -water rose to a considerable height above its common level; and, on -the west side of the channel of the river, there was a counter-current -for a few minutes of an astonishing velocity. So great was its force, -that for some distance the cotton wood and willows on the margin of the -river, were either prostrated or bent up the stream; and their branches -looked as if they had been dragged a long way on the ground. The waters -of the river soon subsided, and flowed in their natural direction. - -So tremendous were those explosions, that when happening under large -trees, the tenacity of their texture yielded at once to their force; -and the largest in the forest were split and fractured from root -to top. During these convulsions, the ground on which the town of -New-Madrid is situated, together with the country for several miles -round, sunk about five feet below its former elevation; in which -situation it has remained. Eight years afterwards the writer was again -on the same spot. The desolate aspect, which the country presented at -the time he witnessed those scenes, was measurably obliterated: but the -banks of the river were still in their sunken situation. - -How could all those violent convulsions take place at this point, and -not be felt at New-Orleans, along the sea coast of the United States, -and other places? Whence came this water and air, which issued from -those apertures in the earth? And why did the river for a few minutes -flow in a contrary direction, and then resume its natural course? If -the earth be a compact and solid globe, I can account for none of -these things; but admitting the formation of the sphere to be such as -I contend for, they are all resolved into the most simple principles; -and what would otherwise be impenetrable mystery, is made as plain -as noon-day. If the sphere be formed as I allege, those concussions -were doubtless occasioned by the gas or fluid in the _mid-plane_ or -some intermediate space, near the surface, which, by being suddenly -rarified, would make it expand, and cause the upper part of the sphere -to be suddenly elevated in the neighbourhood of the Little Prairie; -and hence the waters of the river, pursuing the laws of gravity, would -flow in a contrary direction. This sudden expansion, and elevation of -the surface, would cause apertures, through which the rare gas would -escape, and the surface would then settle down again, not only to its -former level, but, as a considerable portion of this gas had escaped, -the remaining part would occupy less space; hence the surface of the -country, around New-Madrid, would be below its former situation.[31] - -The fluid, or gas, which fills the mid-plane and intermediate cavities, -is most probably the same, or partaking of the same nature, (though -perhaps in a purer state,) with that which oozes out of fissures -in the earth, at the bottom of deep mines, called by chemists, -_hydro-carbonate_; which being highly inflammable, takes fire from the -lamps used by workmen, and explodes with such violence as to destroy -both men and horses employed in the mine. This is a frequent occurrence -in the deep coal mines of England; and great numbers annually have lost -their lives in this way, before the introduction of Sir Humphrey Davy's -lamp. I am also informed, from good authority, that the miners, in some -of the deep coal mines in England, once felt, or heard an earthquake, -which happened in Italy, whilst those on the surface of the ground had -no knowledge of it. This would be the case, if the intermediate cavity, -which caused the earthquake, extended in that direction, and near the -bottom of the mine; as it is presumed the rare gas with which those -spaces are filled, is better adapted to the conveyance of sound, or -vibratory motion, than the more solid parts of the sphere, or even the -atmosphere around us. - -On the supposition that the globe is solid, and the matter composing -it at rest, as respects itself, on what principle can boiling and hot -springs be accounted for; some of which issue out several thousands -of miles distant from where any volcano or subterranean fire is known -to exist; particularly as to those on the waters of Red river, in the -state of Louisiana, which are sufficiently hot to cook meat in a few -minutes. - -Phenomena which occur in various lakes in Europe, may be adverted to in -support of this theory. The waters of lake Zirchnitzer, in the Dutchy -of Carniola, in Germany, flow off, and leave the basin empty; and again -fill it, in an extraordinary and impetuous manner; bringing up with -its waters fish and even sometimes wild water fowl.[32] In the same -country, there is a subterranean lake, in the Grotto Podspetschio, of -considerable extent; the whole of this vast body of water, at certain -times, will disappear in a few minutes, and leave the basin dry; and -after a few weeks, it again suddenly returns, with a frightful noise. -The lake of Geneva, and some others in Switzerland, at certain times -rise and fall several feet without any cause, which has as yet been -satisfactorily explained; and some writers inform us, that those lakes, -particularly Geneva, send forth, at times, a grumbling noise. In the -Saian mountains, near the source of the Yenisei, is a lake, called -Boulamy-Koul, which, at the approach of winter, emits strange sounds, -somewhat similar to those which precede the eruption of a volcano, and -which are compared by the neighbouring inhabitants to howling. The -inhabitants on the borders of Baikal, also state, that they have often -heard dreadful and terrific howlings proceed from that lake.[33] The -lake, Agnano, in Italy, sometimes, especially when the waters are -high, appears to boil at its borders. This ebullition is supposed to be -occasioned by some gaseous fluids, discharged into the bottom, which -traverse the waters of the lake.[34] These various phenomena, which -cannot be easily accounted for, might be best explained perhaps, on the -principles of _mid-plane-spaces_. In various parts of the north, thick -strata of ice are found, under a thick soil; and on ice-bergs, floating -in the ocean, have been discovered masses of earth, of granite, and of -other rocks.[35] - -On the shores of Greenland the ebb tide flows towards the coast, -apparently as though it passes under the land, and the flood tide -recedes from the shore; and in those regions the sea is almost -universally found deeper as you approach the shore.[36] When the -whales become scarce, experience has taught the whalers to seek for -them near the shore, as if at certain seasons they retired to it, -and then disappeared. Captain Symmes imagines that the sea extends -quite through the spheres, about Greenland, and that the whales -suddenly migrate either to the _mid-plane-space_, or to the seas -on the opposite side; which he alleges to be the case with several -other species of fish, as well as seals; all of which, he supposes, -breed in the _mid-plane-space_. The reasons that induce him to adopt -this conclusion are various; such as, that fish have been thrown up -by the eruption of a volcano in South America[37]――herring appearing -in such immense numbers at certain seasons of the year――the whales -seeming to pass under Greenland――two seals having been once caught in -Lake Ontario, which is said to be unfathomable, although this lake -is many degrees south of where the seals have ever before been known -to come――and the various species of fish in our northern lakes which -appear and disappear at certain periods. That the exterior seas in -some places communicate with the interior seas, is rendered probable -by various other circumces; such as currents running continually into -the Mediterranean, and no visible outlet to the water thus continually -flowing in. It is scarcely probable that evaporation could carry off -all the water supplied by the straits of Gibraltar――the white sea being -more salt at the head than at the foot――the tides being higher in the -Baltic than the Mediterranean――white foxes having been forced up by -the waters of the sea (as Symmes undertakes to prove) in the northern -regions――the peculiarities of the tremendous whirlpool on the coast -of Norway, called the Maalstroom, which sucks in, and discharges the -waters of the sea with great violence――and those observable in the Bay -of Biscay, which are said to be unfathomable. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[31] EARTHQUAKES.――M. Biot, after detailing the phenomena of the -earthquake, on the 22d of February, 1822, concludes an interesting -paper with these observations:―― - -In the infancy of Chemistry and Natural Philosophy, it was imagined -that earthquakes might be easily explained; in proportion as these -sciences have become more correct and more profound, this confidence -has decreased. But by a propensity, for which the character of the -human mind sufficiently accounts, all the new physical agents which -have been successively discovered, such as electricity, magnetism, -the inflammation of gases, the decomposition and recomposition of -water, have been maintained in theories as the causes of the great -phenomena of nature. Now all these conjectures seem to be insufficient -to explain convulsions so extensive, produced at the same time over -such large portions of the earth, as those which take place during -earthquakes. The most probable opinion, the only one which seems to -us to reconcile, in a certain degree, the energy, the extent of these -phenomena, and often their frightful correspondence in the most distant -countries of the globe, would be to suppose, conformably to many other -physical indications, that the solid surface on which we live is but of -inconsiderable thickness in comparison with the semi-diameter of the -terrestrial globe; is in some measure only a recent shell, covering -a liquid nucleus, perhaps still in a state of ignition, in which -great chemical or physical phenomena operating at intervals cause -those agitations which are transmitted to us. The countries where the -superficial crust is less thick or less strong, or more recently or -more imperfectly consolidated, would agreeably to this hypothesis, be -those the most liable to be convulsed and broken by the violence of -these internal explosions. Now if we compare together the experiments -on the length of the pendulum, which have been made for some years past -with great accuracy, from the north of Scotland to the south of Spain, -we readily perceive that the intensity of gravitation decreases on this -space, as we go from the Pole towards the Equator, more rapidly than -it ought to do upon an ellipsoid, the concentric and similar strata of -which should have equal densities at equal depths; and the deviation -is especially sensible about the middle of France, where too there has -been observed a striking irregularity in the length of the degrees of -the earth. This local decrease of gravity in these countries should -seem to indicate, with some probability, that the strata near the -surface must be less dense there than elsewhere, and perhaps have in -their interior immense cavities. This would account for the existence -of the numerous volcanos of which these strata show the traces, and -explain why they are even now, at intervals, the focus of subterraneous -convulsions. - -[32] Cook's Geography, v. 2, p. 250――Also Rees' Cyclopedia, article -Lake. - -[33] Rees' Cyclopedia, article Lake Geneva. - -[34] Rees' Cyclopedia, article Lake. - -[35] Ross' Voyage, v. 1, p. 225. - -[36] Ibid, v. 1, p. 144. - -[37] Humboldt. - - - - -CHAPTER VII. - - _Several objections, made to the Theory of Concentric Spheres, - answered, particularly the one that it contravenes religious opinions; - demonstrating that the earth, and the other orbs of the universe, are - formed on the best possible plan for the maintenance and support of - organic life._ - - -Some of the most prominent objections which I have heard advanced -against the theory of concentric spheres are the following: - -1st. That if the earth be not a solid globe, but a hollow concentric -sphere, the quantity of matter being diminished, the attraction of -gravitation must be lessened so much that all moveable bodies resting -on the earth would be thrown off by centrifugal force, in the line of a -tangent from the surface of the sphere. - -2d. That according to the established laws of gravity, a hollow sphere -could not exist in nature: that matter would be gravitated to the -centre, and particularly about the polar openings, so as to make it -collapse. - -3d. That if the orbs were hollow spheres, the mutual influence of the -planets on each other would be so far destroyed, that they would cease -to revolve in regular orbits. - -4th. That the interior of the sphere can never receive the light and -heat of the sun; is involved in perpetual darkness, and more suited to -the infliction of punishment on perverse and rebellious spirits, than -for the residence of beings, fitted and designed for the pursuit and -enjoyment of happiness. - -5th. And finally, the adherents of the new theory have been charged -with atheism, deism, and such like epithets, as though they intended to -overturn the works of God, and thwart the laws of nature. - -1st. As to the first objection, I would enquire, has it yet been -ascertained with mathematical certainty, in what exact proportion one -particle of matter attracts another? And may there not be some law of -nature with which we are not yet well acquainted? All the experiments, -hitherto made on the attractive power of gravity, were made on the -principle, and under the belief, that the earth is a solid globe; -and consequently the deductions were drawn accordingly. Suppose the -attraction of gravitation, inherent in matter, to be so much increased, -that a hollow sphere would possess the same attractive power, as if -it were a solid globe, would not all the results and consequences be -exactly the same? This being the case,――and I know no reason why we -should conclude differently,――the whole force of the objection appears -to fall to the ground. According to Newton's principle of gravity, -the matter of the sphere would attract all particles of matter placed -on the surface, as well upon the concave as convex, in nearly equal -proportions; and the centrifugal force, which, on the outer side of -the sphere, tends to throw bodies off, on the concave side, would have -an opposite effect. Hence, a person standing, or trees growing, on the -interior surface, would be in no more danger of being precipitated to -the next sphere, between them and the centre, than those on the outer -part of the sphere, when they should be _turned_ (what is familiarly -called) _down_. - -The experiments made on the density of the globe, by observations with -the plum-line, at the foot of a mountain, are very ingenious; but -they must be subject to great uncertainty. The true deviation of the -plum-line, the exact quantity of matter in the mountain, or, indeed, -the quantity of matter between the plummet and the centre of gravity, -are points difficult, if not impossible, to be ascertained with -mathematical precision. - -If the attraction of the sun is just sufficient to keep the earth in -its orbit, what can give the tendency to retain Jupiter and Saturn in -theirs, each of which, if solid, contains such a vast quantity more -than the earth, and removed to so great a distance from the sun, that -his influence upon either must be greatly lessened by both? - -2d. As to the objections that a hollow sphere of the dimension of the -earth cannot exist in nature, I can discover no sound reason to warrant -such a conclusion. Many hollow cylinders and spherical figures, we know -do exist on the surface of the earth; and notwithstanding their own -gravity, which the different parts exert on each other, as well as the -gravity of the earth, they retain their shape and position; and had the -matter in the earth originally been thrown by a centrifugal force into -the form of a hollow sphere, or had the first creating power originally -given it that shape,――I can discover no good reason for a change; -neither should I entertain any apprehensions of the particles of matter -coalescing at the centre. - -3d. The force of this objection I cannot appreciate; for if all the -planetary orbs in the universe are composed of hollow concentric -spheres, they must exert the same relative influence on each other, -which they would if they were solid orbs, as they would each contain -the same proportion of matter as respects each other. Hence no good -reason appears why a system of hollow concentric spheres might not do -just as well, and perform their revolutions with the same regularity, -as a system of solid ones. - -4th. This great and alarming objection comes next:――that we are about -placing a world in eternal darkness, cut off from all the comforts -and pleasures of refined life, for the enjoyment of which we are so -eminently qualified. Let us examine the force of this objection; and -if we cannot show that the interior is, at least in some degree, -illuminated, we must then conclude that it is a very dreary abode, and -unfitted for the residence of beings so fond of light as we _profess to -be_. - -According to the new theory, the northern polar opening is about four -thousand one hundred and fifty miles in diameter, and the axis of the -earth is at an angle of about twelve degrees with the axis of the plane -of the polar opening; consequently, as the sphere revolves on its axis, -one side of the verge of the polar opening will extend considerably -further north than the other. The verge of the north polar opening on -the low side, is laid down at about fifty degrees of latitude, and the -verge of the high side at about sixty-eight degrees. - -Now, supposing the sun to be exactly of the same diameter as the earth, -and placed directly over the equator, when the low side of the verge -was turned towards the sun, the direct rays from his northern limb, -independent of refraction, would pass the edge of the lower part of the -verge, and fall on the inner part of the sphere, on the concave part of -the high side opposite, as far as eighteen degrees, or upwards. When -the sun would be on the tropic of Cancer, in June, he must then throw -the rays from his centre twenty-three and a half degrees further within -the sphere, or within twenty-six and a half degrees of the equator; -but the diameter of the sun being so much greater than the earth, the -rays from his northern limb, would fall about thirty-three minutes -further within the sphere, and leave not quite twenty-six degrees -between that and the equator to be excluded from his direct rays. -This relates to the northern polar opening; as to that of the south, -which is believed to be much larger, we will make a few remarks. -The lower side of the south polar opening, is laid in about latitude -thirty-four degrees, and the higher side, in about latitude forty-six -degrees. Were the sun of the same diameter with the earth, as above -premised, and placed on the equator, his direct rays would be thrown -into the south polar opening when the low side was towards him, about -twelve degrees, or to within thirty-four degrees of the equator, and -when on the tropic of Capricorn, in December, twenty-three and a half -degrees further, that is, the inner part of the southern hemisphere -of the sphere, on the high side, would be lighted thirty-five and a -half degrees within the verge; and the direct rays of the sun would -shine within ten and a half degrees of the inner centre of the sphere -or equator. These observations, you will observe, are made in the most -unfavourable point of view. It is well known, that the diameter of the -sun, is vastly greater than that of the earth; consequently, his rays -would pass into the polar opening so much further, in proportion as -the angle of his diameter, and that of the earth, differ, which would -be about thirty-three minutes further, bringing his direct rays in the -south, within less than ten degrees of the equator; and this would be -the case as the sphere revolved on its axis, once in every twenty-four -hours. When the sphere turned, with its high side towards the sun, it -would be night, or twilight, and when the low side was next the sun, it -would be day; at all events, the direct rays of the sun would fall on a -space of about thirty-six and a half degrees in breadth; the reflection -from which would light the whole of the remaining portion of the inner -part of the sphere, to a greater degree, than any moon-light with which -we are acquainted. But there is another circumstance which tends to -throw the rays of the sun much further into the concave than we have -yet got them; that is, the refractive power of the atmosphere. It is -a well known fact that the rays of light are very much refracted when -passing out of a rare into a denser medium; and about the poles of the -earth it is believed, (and this belief is confirmed by navigators) that -refraction increases very considerably, owing to the great density of -the atmosphere. We have good reason then to believe that refraction -throws the rays of the sun several degrees further within the sphere. -But let us take the known refraction of the horizontal ray, at or near -the equator (say one half of a degree) it would throw the rays of light -so much further into the concave, and not leave quite thirty-seven -degrees in the centre of the sphere deprived of the sun's rays. The -motion of the earth causes the apparent motion of the sun to be about -fifteen degrees in an hour, as the diurnal revolution of the earth -causes the sun to move apparently through three hundred and sixty -degrees in twenty-four hours. Now it is a well known fact to all that -the sun gives us light sufficient to be called day-light, for about -an hour after he descends below the horizon; consequently he must -afford us light when he is fifteen degrees obscured from our view. -Accordingly, the sun, though he might not be visible, would illuminate -the concave part of the sphere fifteen degrees further than his direct -rays fall, which reduces the space in the interior of the sphere to the -breadth of not quite seven degrees which would still remain unlighted. - -But this is making calculations on the most unfavorable premises -possible. Considering the form of the earth, and the power of -refraction, I have no doubt but the direct rays of the sun would fall -on every part of the inner sphere. However, I have proceeded on such -premises as, I conclude, the most sceptical must admit. Light, we -know, is reflected from solid bodies on which it falls, and also from -the atmosphere: the rays of the sun, then, which would pass the lower -part of the verge and fall on the opposite concave surface, would be -reflected back in all directions, and most probably light the whole -of the interior of the sphere sufficient for the ordinary purposes of -life. By way of further illustration, suppose a perpendicular wall -were raised on a plain, one mile high, does any person believe that -there would be no light on the side of the wall opposite to the sun; -although his rays would have to form an angle of one hundred and forty, -or one hundred and fifty degrees, to reach the earth on that side of -the wall? No axiom is more evident than that the rays of light are -communicated to other places than those on which the rays of the sun -fall directly; for example, we all know that a close room, however -large, with a north window, will be sufficiently lighted by refraction -and reflection from the atmosphere, provided there is no obstruction -opposite the window, although the rays of the sun would have to form an -angle of one hundred and fifty degrees to enter it, and why might not -the whole interior of the sphere be lighted in the same manner, even -supposing the rays of the sun should never enter directly. The north -polar opening being about four thousand one hundred and fifty miles in -diameter, and the southern six thousand three hundred and fifty, with -the whole force of the direct rays of the sun falling on and passing -through the atmosphere at either polar opening, it would not require -refraction, or reflection, to make an angle of ninety degrees to light -the whole of the interior concave; and certainly the polar openings are -sufficiently large for the purpose, when we compare a common window -with the dimensions of an ordinary sized room. - -It is believed, by the adherents of the new theory, that the -atmosphere, within the concave, and about the polar openings, is much -denser than our atmosphere; which appears inevitably to be the case, -as the centrifugal force on the convex has the tendency to throw the -atmosphere _from_ the surface, and on the concave to force it from -the centre of motion, and nearer _to_ the surface. This admitted, the -rays of the sun passing out of a rare medium into a denser, would be -refracted much further into the sphere; and the sun-shine on the -surface of one sphere would be reflected obliquely, according to the -angle of incidence, to the next sphere, and in this manner might be -extended even beyond the centre of the concave. It is also believed, -that near the verges of the polar openings, and perhaps in many other -parts of the unfathomable ocean, the spheres are water quite through, -(at least all except the _mid-plane-spaces_, or cavities) which being -the case, light would probably be transmitted between the spheres. - -The apparent elevation of celestial bodies above their true altitude, -is greatest when the body is on the horizon, which is ascertained to -be a little more than half a degree; hence, in our climate, the sun -appears three minutes sooner, and sets three minutes later than is -really the case, which increases the length of our day six minutes, by -refraction. This gradually increases in proceeding from the equator -to the frigid zones; and at the poles, were the earth entire, the -day should become thirty-six hours longer, by refraction alone, than -it would otherwise be.[38] It was doubtless owing to some peculiar -refractive power in the northern regions, that caused the Dutch, who -wintered on Nova-Zembla, (which is in latitude between seventy and -seventy-eight degrees,) on the approach of summer, to see the sun -about two weeks sooner than he should have appeared in that latitude, -according to astronomical calculation.[39] This tends to show that -there is more refraction in the northern regions than is observable in -the south.[40] - -From an attentive examination of these considerations, I am induced to -conclude, that the interior of the sphere may be as well lighted as the -exterior; or at all events, if not favoured with so great a degree of -light at all times, it has a more regular and constant supply. But, -admitting every thing on this subject that the opponents of the theory -can suggest, I still discover no substantial reason why the earth -may not be a hollow sphere. I can see no substantial reason why the -inhabitants of that portion of the earth, (if any exist there) should -be furnished with as great a degree of light, and as intense a heat, -as we have upon the convex part of the sphere. Must it of necessity -follow, that it cannot be inhabited, or if inhabited, that the beings -who people its surface, are less happy than we? Certainly not. Is -it not well known to us, that every grade and species of animals, -under every variety of circumstance, whether inhabiting the air, the -earth, or the water, are fitted by an all-wise Providence to their -several conditions, and mediums, in which they reside? As well might -we conclude, that the immense planet Jupiter, situated so far from -the sun as he is, can be nothing but a dark, cold, and barren waste, -unfitted for the residence of intelligent beings. It is ascertained -by calculation, that the light and heat which Jupiter receives from -the sun, is only the one twenty-seventh part of what the earth -receives.[41] The light and heat which Saturn receives from the sun -is estimated at only the one hundredth part of that of the earth;[42] -and the planet Georgium Sidus, revolving such an immense distance -further from the sun, than either of them, must enjoy still less light -and heat; according to which, we would conclude, (if we adopt the -belief, that the degree of light and heat, to which we are accustomed, -is necessary for the support of life,) that those vast planets are -not fitted by the God of nature for the residence of intelligent -beings; however, I am inclined to believe that both light and heat are -communicated to them, in some way not well known to us, sufficient for -the purpose. The true principles of light and heat, and the manner in -which they are generated and transmitted, are not perhaps yet well -understood and defined.[43] - -5th. Others, when the new theory is mentioned, cry Atheist, Deist, -blasphemy! as if its advocates proposed to make a new world, and -support it without the intervention of Divine Providence: such -opponents scarcely deserve an answer. It is believed by all, that -the earth, the sun, the moon and stars, are the work of an Almighty -power. Whether solid globes or hollow spheres, they equally owe -their existence to the great first cause, that spoke matter into -existence, that arranged it in whatever form and order infinite -wisdom dictated; and that still supports and governs the whole by -universal and unvarying laws. But it is as well known, that the -Almighty Disposer, interposes no miracles for the accomplishment of his -designs, but makes use of means that are uniform in their application, -to effect the intended purpose; hence Geologists, Philosophers, and -Astronomers, attempt to account for the existence of all matter, and -for the formation of planets, according to what is believed to be the -established laws of matter. In so doing, we do not disparage the wisdom -of the Creator, nor controvert the truth of that divine record, which -Providence, in his goodness, has given us for our rule of life. True it -is, the sacred scriptures give us very little information relative to -the structure and formation of the earth and the other planets. They -were not intended to teach mankind Geology, Geography, or Astronomy; -yet where assertions are clearly and distinctly made respecting -these things, we have reason to believe them literally correct: as -for instance, when the Psalmist informs us, that God hung the earth -upon nothing; that He balanced it in empty space, we are to look for -corresponding facts; though it was at variance with the opinion of -the world at that time, modern astronomy now teaches that such is the -fact. In like manner, when we meet with assertions, such as that "the -fountains of the great deep were broken up," (והארץ היתה תהו ובהו, -chapter 1, verse 2,[44]) we must acknowledge their correctness; and I -think it will be admitted, that they are at least as much in favour of -this new theory as the old. - -The skilful and attentive observer of nature, whether examining the -most minute or the most sublime, will discover that infinite wisdom, -judgment, and ingenuity, equally prevail throughout. The principal -aims of the great author of all things, appear to have been animation, -diversity, and usefulness; the air we breathe, the water we drink, the -vegetables on which we feed; indeed every leaf and plant of the forest -and field――all teem with animal life. Why then should we believe, or -even presume to think, that the Almighty Fiat, which spoke matter -into existence, for the support and maintenance of living creatures, -innumerable, and endless in the variety of their organization, their -colours, their passions, and their pursuits――why, I say, should we -then presume, that the omnifick word would create even the smallest -particle of any of the immense, the innumerable orbs in the universe, -of inert or useless matter, devoid of activity and design? This earth, -when compared with the magnitude and number of other planets we know, -is but as a point; yet we can hardly conceive, small as she appears -by comparison, that she was only designed to have animate life on -her surface, and all the rest to remain useless! Such an idea seems -unworthy of the Divine Being, whose essence is all perfection. Can -we for a moment suppose, that the interior parts of the earth, have -received less attention from the Creator, than the objects which are -under our immediate inspection? On the contrary, may it not be more -rationally inferred, that, for the object of more widely disseminating -animation, spheres are formed within spheres, concentric with each -other, each revolving on its own axis, and thus multiplying the -habitable superfices? - -Great and sublime as our conceptions of the Deity must be, when we -contemplate the earth and its inhabitants――if we turn our attention -to the solar system, our world dwindles into a little insignificant -ball. Yet if we cast our eyes still beyond, and contemplate the eighty -millions of fixed stars, which a good telescope brings to our view, -each the centre of a mighty system of revolving worlds; and then -reflect that all this is only one little dark corner of creation, we -are lost in the magnitude of the contemplation. But when we come to -consider each of these fixed stars, with their planets, and they with -their satellites, all consisting of concentric spheres, revolving -within each other, in due order, and adapted to the support and -comforts of life, for countless millions of beings; we are struck with -ten-fold astonishment and admiration, and bow with reverential awe, -before Him who sits at the head of the universe, and governs the whole -by unvarying laws. It would seem to me, that in contemplating this new -order of creation, the imagination must break through and soar beyond -its old boundaries. It would seem that on embracing this doctrine, the -spirit must expand with increased devotion, and be entirely absorbed in -the infinite wisdom and power of Him, who was competent to devise, and -able to execute, such a beautiful arrangement of matter. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[38] Physical World, p. 105. - -[39] Barrington and Beaufoy, p. 106, and Purchas, v. 3, pp. 499, 500. - -[40] The late George Adams, in his Philosophy, treating of refraction, -states, that "at the horizon, in this climate, (England) it is found -to be about thirty-three minutes. In climates near the equator, where -the air is pure, the refraction is less; and in the colder climates, -nearer the pole, it increases exceedingly, and is a happy provision -for lengthening the appearance of the light at those regions so remote -from the sun. Gassendees relates, that some Hollanders, who wintered in -Nova-Zembla, in latitude seventy-five degrees, were agreeably surprised -with a sight of the sun seventeen days before they expected him in the -horizon. This difference was owing to the refraction of the atmosphere -in that latitude."――Adams' Philosophy, v. 4, p. 112, Philadelphia, 1807. - -[41] Keith on Globes, p. 144.―― - -[42] Ibid, p. 149. - -[43] Sir Isaac Newton, in his Principia, under prop. 16, book 3, lays -down the following proposition, viz: that "_the heat of the sun is as -the density of his rays, that is reciprocally as the squares of the -distances from the sun_." From this principle, it has been assumed -by some of our modern astronomers, that but few of the planets can -be inhabited, as if the effect of light and heat are reciprocally -proportionate to the squares of the distances from the centre of their -propagation; and if you divide the square of the earth's distance from -the sun, the quotient will show, that the light and heat, which Mercury -receives, are about seven times greater, making it more than twice as -hot as boiling water. The light and heat communicated to Saturn, being -only the one hundredth part of that of the earth, the difference is -more than seven times as great as that between our summer heat and -red hot iron, if the light and heat of the sun are only in proportion -to the density of his rays. Such extremes of heat and cold, we would -naturally conclude must totally preclude all material being, if in the -least degree resembling those we are acquainted with; nor could any of -the vegetable world, known to us, germinate in either extreme; nay, -even the matter of our globe would scarcely withstand it, our oceans -would be dissipated in vapour, on Mercury, and frozen to the bottom -on Saturn. Considerations like these must induce us to conclude, that -light and heat cannot be communicated exactly on the plan laid down -by Newton, viz: that the heat of the sun is simply as the density of -his rays: for though the sun's rays may be the _sine qua non_, without -which no light or heat would be communicated, yet the _quantum_ of heat -may depend on the density and co-operation of the medium through which -it passes, or upon some other circumstance not known to us, and perhaps -impossible for us to know. - -[44] I am indebted to an excellent Hebrew scholar for the following: - -NOTE. The words תהו ובהו _Theoo_ and _Beoo_, (Genesis, chapter 1, -verse 2,) which has been rendered by the translators of our bible, -"Without form and void," might perhaps, with equal propriety, have been -translated "without form and hollow." - -1. _Theoo_, the root, agreeably to the Hebrew grammar, is found as a -noun תה or תהה _The_ or _Thee_, and, is rendered _confusion_, loose, -unconnected, without form, order, or the like; and so well understood. - -2. _Be-oo_, the root, is, according to the same rule, found in -בה――_Be_, (_Bethhey_) _hollow_; it occurs not only in this form but―― - -1. As a noun בהו Beoo――Hollow, empty, having nothing in it but air, -filled only _vacuo aere_, with empty air, as Lucan calls it, Lib. 5, -line 94. - -2. As a noun fem: in reg: בת, בת עין Bet, Bethoin, the apparent -hollow, or pupil of the eye, &c. Comp. בבת Bebath, under, בב Beb. - -3. As a noun fem: תבה _Thebe_ in Reg: תבת Thebeth, an ark, a hollow -vessel, under 2d head of בב Beb. occurs not as a verb in kab, but - -1. As a _participial_ noun, or participle in Nipth נבוב Neboob, hollow, -made hollow, &c. - -2. It is applied spiritually, hollow, empty, vain. - -3. To the sight, or pupil of the eye; that part of the eye which -appears hollow, and admits the light. See Parkhurst's Hebrew Lexicon. - -Had the learned translators of our bible possessed a knowledge of the -theory of concentric spheres, it is probable they would have given -the English reader the most correct meaning of the words, תהו ובהו -"_without form and hollow_," or "_shapeless and hollow_." - - - - -CHAPTER VIII. - - _General observations on the Theory of Concentric Spheres, with a few - suggestions to the Congress of the United States, to authorize and fit - out an Expedition for the discovery of the Interior Regions; or, at - least, to explore the northern parts of the continent of America._ - - -Of the many various and conflicting theories which have been advanced, -relative to the form, structure, and motion of the earth, the theory of -Concentric Spheres deserves to rank as one of the most important: for, -should it hereafter be found correct, the advantages resulting to the -civilized and learned world, must cause it to stand pre-eminent among -the improvements in philosophy. The habitable superfices of our sphere -would not only be nearly doubled; but the different spheres of which -our earth is probably constituted, might increase the habitable surface -ten-fold. - -That such may be the construction of the earth, every law of -matter with which I am acquainted, seems to admit, at least of the -possibility; the different appearances of the other planets render it -probable; and the various concurring terrestrial facts existing in the -arctic regions, to my mind, render such a conclusion almost certain. -And further, that matter and space are never uselessly wasted, is an -axiom, not only of sound philosophy, but of natural religion, and of -common sense. - -Many of the theories which have been advanced respecting the earth, are -vague and uncertain, and will remain so forever; being predicated on -deductions drawn from certain premises that can never be established -with certainty; consequently they must rest wholly on the strength of -the arguments drawn from the premises, as they are not susceptible of -being demonstrated by experiment. Not so with the theory of concentric -spheres. Its correctness admits of ocular demonstration. The interior -of the sphere is declared accessible, and the whole extent capable -of being accurately explored; thereby establishing the theory, or -disproving and putting it at rest forever. - -The celebrated Dr. Halley, in the year 1692, in his attempt to account -for the change of the variation of the magnetic needle, advanced a -novel hypothesis, as respects the internal structure of the earth. He -supposes that there is an interior globe, separated from the external -sphere by a fluid medium; or that there may be several internal -spheres, separated from each other by atmospheres, and that the -concave arches may in several places shine with a substance similar -to that which invests the body of the sun, producing light and heat -for the accommodation of those internal regions which he alleges may -possibly be inhabited by animate beings.[45] - -However, he suggests no idea of Polar Openings, nor of any -communication from the outer surface to those interior regions; -consequently their existence must have remained forever a matter of -mere conjecture. - -We find that Dr. Halley, in the wisdom of his philosophy, believed -those internal regions to be lighted, though situated many thousand -fathoms beneath the surface, and without any aperture to communicate -light from without. Why not, then, believe that the interior of the -spheres, according to Symmes's theory, may be lighted, when he lays -down such vast openings at either pole for that purpose? - -Euler was also an advocate for the theory of Dr. Halley. He believed, -with him, that the earth is hollow, with a ball, or nucleus, included -in the centre; he, however, differed from Halley as to the nature of -the nucleus. Halley believed it to be constituted of the same materials -of the exterior crust of the earth. Euler believed it to be a luminous -body formed of materials similar to the sun, and adapted to the purpose -of illuminating and warming the interior surface of the crust, which -he supposed might be inhabited equally with the exterior surface. He -fancied that this luminous ball had no rotary motion, and that the -outer shell revolved around it. However, neither he nor Dr. Halley -left any opening by which the internal regions could be explored; their -existence was therefore left to rest on vague hypothesis.[46] - -These different theories, however extravagant they may appear to us, -were believed and supported by those men, whom we must acknowledge -were among the most learned of the age in which they lived; and among -the mathematicians in Europe they have yet some warm supporters. Why -not then give Symmes's theory of open poles, and _concentric spheres_, -a serious investigation, the correctness of which is so much more -probable, and the demonstration of its truth or falsehood so much more -practicable? At all events a _voyage to the polar regions_, with an -eye to the accomplishment of Symmes's purpose, might be productive -of incalculable advantages to the cause of science in general. With -respect to astronomy and geography, it would afford many new lights, -and perhaps discover and establish many new principles, not thought of -at this day. - -"_Knowledge is power_," and so far as an individual acquires a -knowledge of literature and science, above his contemporaries, so far -does he possess a power and influence over those among whom he resides. -So does a nation, when she becomes characterized for the acquisition of -knowledge in the sciences and the arts. Those nations which have made -great and important advances in the improvement of science, or in new -discoveries, have acquired a pre-eminence of character and standing, -among other nations of the world. - -The United States of America, having assumed a respectable station -among the nations, is fast advancing in wealth and power. Her -territories are stretched over a vast extent of country; and her -population is increasing with a rapidity unprecedented. We are already -looked up to, by other nations, as a people of very considerable -importance; and as having made a successful experiment in politics and -government, which politicians had before considered impracticable. -Ought we not then, as a nation, (paying some attention to the progress -of science and knowledge,) to hold out inducements for the progressive -improvements, and useful discoveries of our own citizens? - -While the English, the Russians, and the French, are making great -exertions for the purpose of discovery, and the advancement of science; -will America remain idle and inactive? Will she adopt the unwise policy -that individual enterprise ought to be let alone? Other nations act -differently; and they have long been directing their researches towards -the acquisition of a more perfect knowledge of our globe: and such -exertions have always been considered as the most glorious actions -on record in the annals of their history. By so doing, they have not -only been amply rewarded themselves, but have benefited the world at -large, by the acquisition of important information respecting the -before unknown parts of it, and by the improvement of science. Will -America then sit by inactive and contented, while she is surrounded -with plenty, and enjoying a situation most enviable in the career -of nations? Let us rather encourage than shackle the genius and -enterprising spirit of our own citizens; and not act like an avaricious -miser, who directs all his thoughts to the calculation of dollars and -cents. Had this "let alone policy," been pursued by the nations that -have sent out ships of discovery, what would have been the situation of -the world at the present day? Bounds would have been set to the great -field of philosophy, and the arts and sciences must have flourished -only within a circumscribed sphere. In vain might the revolving planets -have forced upon the minds of mankind their beautiful order, motions -and attractions;――the extensive continent of America, must yet have -remained a gloomy wilderness; and the wild flowers have bloomed upon -her fertile plains, only to be crushed by the foot of the unlettered -savage. - -If we take a retrospective view of the world, for some centuries back, -we shall find the knowledge of the most scientific nations, bounded -by a circumference of two or three thousand miles. At length a few -enterprising individuals, aided by their governments, made extensive -discoveries:――A Columbus discovered the vast continent of America; -and subsequent navigators discovered the extensive countries of -New-Holland, New-Zealand, and numerous islands in the Pacific ocean and -South sea. All of these now disclose to us, that what was formerly -believed to constitute the whole habitable world, is but a spot, one -little corner, in the parts known at this day. Even yet, a vast portion -of our globe remains unexplored. Why then should we contribute nothing -towards the attainment of the grand pursuit of nations? We, who are -destined, I hope, one day to stand as the first nation under the -sun――Why should we fold our arms and sit inactive, while that little -spot Great Britain, is making such efforts to explore those regions? - -It would not be an unwise policy, for the American government to -foster and encourage such noble workings of genius. It can in no way -be inconsistent with the present policy of our government, that an -expedition should be fitted out to explore the polar regions; but, on -the contrary, it would bespeak a spirit of liberality, and a desire to -promote scientific enterprize. It is neither against the constitution -nor laws of our country; we are now at peace with the world; taxes -are comparatively trifling; the situation of our country at present -affords a most favourable opportunity for the accomplishment of the -undertaking. It is one of such importance too, as will justify the -use of money and men; while the honour of the discovery of a New World -would be its reward. - -I apprehend that we only lack confidence in our own abilities, -to perfect and explain many things not dreamed of by the ancient -philosophers. We are inclined rather to undervalue our own efforts; -and, like our former opinions on manufacturing subjects, think we -can never appear to advantage, unless dressed in a coat of foreign -manufacture. It appears to savour of the doctrine, that no new opinion -or proposition can merit attention, or be adopted, unless it come from -a European source. Had the proposition of concentric spheres, or a -hollow globe, been made by an English or French philosopher, instead of -a native of the United States, I very much question, whether so large a -share of ridicule would have been attached to its author and adherents. - -It may be replied, that the idea of a world within a world, is absurd. -But, who can assert with confidence, that this idea is, in reality, -nothing more than the imagination of a feverish brain? How is it shown -that such a form does not exist? Are there not as strong reasons for -believing that the earth is constituted of concentric spheres, as the -court of Spain, or any man in Europe, had to believe that there was an -undiscovered continent? Has not Captain Symmes theoretically proven -his assertions of concentric spheres and open poles, and embodied a -catalogue of facts, numerous and plausible, in support of his opinions? -And who has confuted his assertions? I _dare_ to say, that none can be -found, who _can_ fully disprove them, and account for the facts which -he adduces as the proofs of his theory. Is there not the same reason -to believe, that the earth is hollow, as there is to place implicit -confidence in the opinion, that the planets are inhabited? And yet the -one has been ridiculed as the wild speculations of a madman, while the -other receives credit among the most enlightened. - -If it can be shown that Symmes's Theory is probable, or has the least -plausibility attached to it,――nay, that it is even possible,――why not -afford him the means of testing its correctness? The bare possibility -of such a discovery, ought to be a sufficient stimulus to call forth -the patronage of any government. And should the theory prove correct, -and the adventure succeed, would it not immortalize our nation? The -fame of Symmes, and his native country, would only expire with time! -But, even should the expedition fail in the main object, there would -still be neither loss nor disgrace. If the interior world have no -existence but in Captain Symmes's imagination, would it be a matter -worthy of no consideration to explore the northern parts of our own -hemisphere? In the attempt, we might discover something of great -importance――in chasing a phantom, we might hit on a reality――in -searching for the "unknowable," discover what has hitherto been -unknown; some new islands; some undiscovered sea; some north-west by -west passage, or inlet; some new phenomenon of nature; some hitherto -unknown inhabitants of the polar regions; nay, even the pole itself. -And would it be a matter of no consequence, that a citizen of our -own country should first stand on the axis, and plant the stars and -stripes of our own country beneath the polar star? And should this -be effected, will not the glory and honour our nation would acquire -thereby, be worth the expenditure? No one, I hope, will say that it -would not be worth it all, ten times told. But in case _this_ should -fail, would it be a matter of no consequence, to explore the northern -parts of our own continent, and fill up the blank on the map of the -northern hemisphere? This, in my humble opinion, is far from being -impracticable. A steam vessel might run from the mouth of the Oregon -river, and proceed along the north-west coast of America through -Behring's Straits, round to the Atlantic; or, if impeded by ice, a -party might pursue their journey on foot, with sledges, on the ice, -and along the coast quite round to Hudson's Bay. The accomplishment -of this, I deem no chimera. The writer of this, for one, (and he has -no doubt Captain Symmes, and a sufficient number of others) would -volunteer to accomplish the enterprise. And should such an expedition -be authorized and fitted out by the government, rest assured, if they -did not penetrate the interior of our sphere, or plant the American -standard beneath the _great Northern Bear_, they would at least furnish -a correct map of the coast of America, from the mouth of Oregon round -to fort Churchill;――or make the snows of the north their winding sheets. - -Within a few years, several expeditions have been fitted out for the -purpose of discovery, by different nations in Europe, and particularly -by the English. Ross, and Parry have visited the arctic regions; and -Parry now is out on his third voyage, as though there were some hidden -mystery there, which the English government is anxious to develope. -It is not likely that they would have fitted-out, and dispatched -four successive expeditions, merely to view Ice-bergs and Esquimaux -Indians. As for the discovery of a north-west passage to the East -Indies, it cannot be their sole object, as the continent of America -has been explored by land to seventy-two degrees of north latitude; -and, according to the old theory, beyond that latitude the seas are so -incumbered with ice as to render their navigation extremely difficult, -if not impracticable; from which, I am induced to believe, that they -have discovered something in those regions which indicates a state of -things different from that heretofore believed to exist. - -Under the protection of the Russian government, Kotzebue, and Baron -Wrangle, have been engaged in similar enterprizes, and although these -different attempts have afforded considerable light on the subject, -yet they are rather calculated to awaken than satisfy curiosity. Many -of the facts, however, which are urged as proof of the theory of -concentric spheres, have been confirmed or corroborated by the personal -observations of those skilful navigators. But so long as they lack -confidence in the theory, it can scarcely be expected they will make -the discovery; the winding meridians which they will pursue, when -intending to proceed straight forward, will keep them bewildered among -the ice, along the circle of the verge, or finally bring them out -towards the exterior surface of the sphere, no wiser than when they set -out. - -As yet, we are more indebted to other nations, than our own, for a -knowledge of the continent of America. A knowledge of the north-west -coast is interesting to the civilized world at large; but to none more -so, than the United States; and I humbly think, that the honor and -interest of this confederated Republic, are more deeply involved in -this subject of making discoveries in the northern seas, than any other -nation's can be. - -Should a voyage of discovery be undertaken by our government, it is -hoped that the northern coast of the continent of America will, at -least, be examined. The undertaking would not only redound to the fame -of our country, and to that of the individual entrusted with the -enterprise, but must be productive of immense advantage to our commerce -and national prosperity; and carry our "star spangled banner" among a -people with whom the civilized world, as yet, have had no intercourse. - -The prosecution of such an enterprise would be attended with no very -considerable demands on the treasury; the employment of one or two of -our ships of war, now in commission, for the object, would cause little -additional expense. But, even admitting that a few thousands, or even -hundreds of thousands, would be necessary; of what importance is it, -when weighed against the magnitude of the object to be accomplished? -Could our public vessels be better employed, than in surveying our -north-west coast, and in discovery? Our naval officers would rejoice -on seeing opened to their view a new path to fame, independent of the -acquisition to their nautical experience. Many of our brave and skilful -navigators would be proud of an appointment in such an enterprise; many -naturalists and men of science, would cheerfully, at their own expense, -if necessary, accompany such an expedition. And although we may not -expect such an enterprise to be accomplished to the full extent of -Captain Symmes's anticipations, and those who believe in his doctrines; -yet, as Americans, we cannot but wish that the theory, which has been -first advanced by a fellow-citizen, should be countenanced by our own -government, and tested by the citizens of our own country. - -FOOTNOTES: - -[45] The application which the Dr. makes of this structure of the -earth is this: that the concave sides of the spheres are made up of -magnetic matter; that they revolve about their diurnal axes in about -twenty-four hours; that the outer sphere moves either a little faster -or a little slower than the internal ball; that the magnetic pole, both -of the external shell and included globe, are distant from the poles of -rotation; and that the variation arises from a change of the relative -distances of the external and internal poles in consequence of the -difference of their revolutions. [See life of Dr. Halley.] - -In Rees' Cyclopedia, under the article 'ring,' is the following -sentence; by which it appears that Kepler first suggested the earth -to be composed of concentric crusts. "Kepler, in his Epitom. Astron. -Copern. (as after him Dr. Halley, in his enquiry into the causes of the -variation of the needle, Phil. Trans. No. 195.) supposes our earth may -be composed of several _crusts_ or _shells_, one within another, and -concentric to each other. If this be the case, it is possible the ring -of Saturn may be the fragment or remaining ruin of his former exterior -shell, the rest of which is broken or fallen down upon the body of the -planet." - -[46] Maclaurin, in his fourteenth chapter of the second volume on -Fluxions, investigates the theory of Dr. Halley at considerable length; -and in conclusion, appears to consider the existence of a hollow globe -as very possible. - - - - -CHAPTER IX. - - _A few brief suggestions, relative to the description, tonnage, and - number of vessels, necessary to be equipped for a voyage of discovery - to the interior regions of the earth; the number of men necessary - to be employed on board, articles necessary for the outfit, and the - probable expense attending the same; also, as to the route most proper - to be pursued to accomplish the object of the expedition._ - - -Captain Symmes, in his first circular, published at St. Louis, on -the 10th day of April, 1818, asks an outfit of one hundred brave -companions, well equipped, to set out from Siberia in autumn, with -rein-deer and sleighs, to pass over the ice of the frozen sea. On being -furnished with an outfit of this description, he engages to explore the -concave regions, and discover a warm, or at least a temperate country, -of fertile soil, well stocked with animals and vegetables, if not men, -on reaching about sixty-nine miles beyond latitude eighty-two degrees. -The route, intended to be pursued by Captain Symmes, appears to be that -of the rein-deer, and the time of setting out, the same season of the -year, in which (according to Professor Adams) the rein-deer migrate -from that coast north. In this route it would be necessary to cross -the verge, or region of most intense cold, with the greatest possible -expedition, so as to reach an inner temperate climate, in the shortest -time. The concave regions could be partially explored during the -winter; and the party return in the spring, and at the same time of the -rein-deer, to the mouth of the river Lena. - -The Russians have been making considerable exertions to explore the -northern regions. Baron Wrangle made an attempt of this kind, in -the year 1821. And a second attempt was made in the year 1822, by -travelling with sledges, drawn by dogs.[47] But, probably owing to the -party not having faith in the winding meridians about the verge of the -polar opening, or being unacquainted with their direction according -to the theory of concentric spheres, they were bewildered, and kept -travelling in the neighbourhood of the verge, the region of greatest -cold, instead of proceeding in a direct course towards the pole, until -they were finally obliged to return without accomplishing the object of -the expedition. - -At the present time (August, 1824) an expedition is fitting out in -Russia at great expense, under the auspices of that distinguished -patron of science, Count Romanzoff, for the purpose of making -discoveries in the northern regions, with the intention of exploring -over land, or on the ice, as far as it may be found practicable. -The celebrated Admiral Kruzenstern, is to exercise a general -superintendance over the expedition, while the immediate command is to -be conferred on some distinguished Russian officer. - -The continent of North America, would, in my opinion, be a more -suitable place, for an exploring party to set out from, than the -coast of Siberia. A company of men, well armed, could travel over -land, and draw their provisions and baggage on hand sledges, on the -snow or ice, as Hearne did during his journey, with light canoes for -the purpose of crossing rivers and lakes, should such be found to -obstruct their progress. In this manner, the party would soon cross -the verge, or "barren grounds," as Hearne calls it, and arrive in that -country of abundant game, of which the Indians informed him. Hearne, -according to his journal, reached nearly the seventy-second degree -of north latitude, and his general course is laid down as being -north-westwardly, from Fort Churchill to the mouth of Copper-Mine -river, which he says disembogues itself into the Northern sea, flowing -in a northerly direction. Me-lo-no-bee, the Indian chief, who served as -Hearne's guide from Hudson's Bay, pointed out the mouth of Copper-Mine -river, as being in a north-eastwardly direction from Fort Churchill, -and flowing in an eastwardly course. Subsequent discoveries have, I -believe, determined Me-lo-no-bee to be correct in this particular, -as that river has been ascertained to empty into the waters of the -Atlantic north of Repulse Bay, several hundred miles distant from -where Hearne lays it down on his map. It is so laid down in the map -accompanying Ross' voyage of discovery. How Hearne could be so much -mistaken in the course he travelled, as to lay it down at nearly a -right angle from its true course, is rather unaccountable: he must have -been deceived by the winding meridians of the verge, which turned him -to the right; when to have passed directly into the concave, he ought, -on arriving at a certain point, to have proceeded west of north, then -west, and finally south-west, which would probably have conducted -him to that country, which the Indian represented as being far to -the west, or south-west, and so warm that there was never any frost. -In this direction, an exploring party ought most probably to travel, -first north until they come to the verge; where (if they are on the -continent of America) the meridians begin to wind to the right, then -gradually, as they advanced, incline to the west, then true west, then -south of west, and finally, when entirely beyond the apparent verge, -to the south-west, if not due south. In crossing the verge, the cold -would no doubt be considerable: but cold in those regions, as measured -by the thermometer, appears to us much greater than the feelings of -those exposed to that temperature indicate. Hence it was, no doubt, -that Parry's crew could hunt in winter, when the medium was below zero. -And the Russians set out on their expedition over the ice in 1821, when -the cold was thirty-two degrees Reaumur; and this too accounts for -Hearne's sleeping in the snow, without fire, by only digging a hole, -and lying therein, with his sledge turned up to windward. It does not -appear that he complained of excessive cold; though he travelled nearly -all winter. He had also several Indian women in company. The regions -through which he passed, as well as that in which Ross and Parry -were, are alleged to be the coldest of the earth; and that those men -experienced as great a degree of cold as would be in passing the verge -into the concave regions. - -But I am of opinion that the most practicable, the most expeditious, -and the best mode of exploring the interior regions would be by sea, -and by way of the south polar opening, crossing the verge at the low -side, in the Indian ocean, where it is presumed the sea is always open, -and nearly free from ice. But, as we are residents of the northern -hemisphere, the nearness of the north polar opening to us, and the -more immediate advantages which would result to us from an intercourse -with the countries within the concave to the north, would seem to -point out that as the most proper direction to be pursued; though the -difficulties to be encountered in passing the verge of the north polar -opening, would doubtless be much greater than those of the south, the -cold much severer, and the ice more compact and difficult to pass. -However, notwithstanding all these difficulties, the object, I think, -might be safely accomplished by sailing, either east of Spitzbergen, -or between Spitzbergen and Greenland; where, writers, in whom -confidence may be placed, inform us, that the sea is open all winter. -The greatest difficulty to be apprehended, would be the accumulation of -drifting ice in the summer season; but in the winter, that difficulty, -perhaps, would not be presented as in the fall or commencement of -winter, the ice would attach itself to one shore or the other, and -become permanent. - -The Russians who wintered on Spitzbergen, say that the sea was open -during the whole winter, quite across the north end of the island. -Several sailors who were once left on an island near Spitsbergen, lived -there several years; though destitute of almost every necessary of -life, they were not only able to support the cold of the winters, but -even to supply themselves with provisions, and light, in those dreary -regions. They finally returned in health and safety to their native -country and friends. This island is probably as cold as any spot that -is known to our sphere. - -A vessel, almost at any time in summer, could sail to, and remain at -Spitzbergen, (having the necessary conveniences on board to make the -crew comfortable) for two or three years. They could lie all winter -at the north part of the island, and after being there long enough to -become acquainted with the nature and changes in the sea to the north -of them, they could take some favorable opportunity, and reach the -pole, (if the earth be a globe) or the interior concave regions. The -distance from the north of Spitzbergen to the pole is only six hundred -geographical miles. - -Another favorable direction for making the discovery is, by Bhering's -straits on the north-west coast of America: And an additional advantage -which is presented by this direction, is, that if the vessels should be -obstructed by, or frozen in the ice, the party could proceed by land -on the shore of America, (which is supposed to communicate with the -concave regions,) a party remaining with the vessels till the others -returned. - -In case an expedition of discovery should be fitted out for the purpose -of making the attempt, by either route, the safety of the party would -require that two vessels should be equipped with rather more than an -ordinary number of men, and with a double number of boats at least; -some so light and portable as to be easily carried by men over ice, or -necks of land, should it become necessary. - -Vessels propelled by steam would be preferable to any other, as they -could more easily avoid the floating ice in passing the verge; as, also -ascend rapid rivers in the interior, should such be discovered, and it -be found necessary to ascend them. The vessels should be equipped with -masts, sails, and every part of rigging necessary for sailing; with a -ballast of coal, which should not be used, or any other fuel for steam -purposes, until they come within the neighbourhood of the ice, through -which, by pursuing a proper course, it is believed, they would in a -few days pass, and arrive at a more temperate climate, and a country -where they would be abundantly supplied with both wood and provisions. -Perhaps it would be advisable to take on board a small boat, with a -proportionate steam-engine, for the purpose of running up shallow -rivers, or along coasts, to make more minute observations. - -But the most important matter of all to be observed, and that on which -the success of the expedition must depend, would be a proper observance -of the principles of the theory, and a due attention to the winding -meridians, and curvatures of the parallels of latitude, when the verge -shall be crossed; and which will require the party to be continually -varying their course as they proceed forward in accordance with the -place at which the attempt shall be made. - -The expense of an expedition of this kind, would not be very great; at -least not considerable when compared with the magnitude of the object -to be accomplished, though I have not made, nor do I consider myself -adequate to make minute estimates on the subject. But I should conclude -that a sum of one or two hundred thousand dollars would be amply -sufficient to defray all expenses attending such an expedition. Should -an attempt be made by way of the south polar opening, with vessels -fitted out as for a whaling voyage, the expense would probably not -be the one fifth part of that sum. And were an expedition undertaken -over land, from some post high north on the continent of America, the -expense must be still less. - -FOOTNOTE: - -[47] _From a London paper, under the head of_ - -"RUSSIAN DISCOVERIES.――In the year 1820, a journey of discovery, by -land, was ordered by the government, to explore the extreme north -and north-east of Asia.――Lieutenants Wrangle and Anjou, of the navy, -were chosen for this expedition. After having made the necessary -preparations, they departed from Neukolyma, in the north-eastern -part of Siberia, on the 19th of Feb. 1821, in sledges drawn by dogs, -when the cold was thirty-two degrees Reaumur, in order to ascertain -the position of Schehaladshoi-Noss, which captain Burney conjectured -might be an isthmus, joining Asia with the continent of America. The -travellers succeeded in determining the whole coast astronomically, -going themselves entirely round the coast, and proceeding a day's -journey farther to the west; thus convincing themselves that Asia and -America are not united there by an isthmus. On the 13th of March, the -expedition returned to Neukolyma. On the 22d of March, Mr. Wrangle -undertook another journey, likewise on sledges drawn by dogs, with ten -companions, in the direction to the North Pole, in order to look for -the great continent which is supposed to exist there. The principal -obstacle they met with, was thin ice, which being broken to pieces -by continued storms, was piled up in mountains, and rendered farther -progress impossible. At a bear hunt, which the company undertook, they -observed a sudden bursting of the ice, accompanied with a dreadful -noise resembling thunder. On their journey back, which the travellers -were obliged to make without accomplishing their object, they surveyed -the bear islands, and after an absence of thirty-eight days, arrived -safely at Neukolyma on the 28th April, where they are to remain for the -year 1822, and then to continue their researches." - - - - -CHAPTER X. - - _A short Biographical sketch of Captain Symmes; with some observations - on the treatment which he has met with in the advancement of his - Theory._ - - -John Cleves Symmes, the author of the Theory of Concentric Spheres, is -the son of Timothy Symmes, of the state of New-Jersey, whose father's -name was also Timothy, and who was the son of the Rev. Thomas Symmes, -of Bradford, who graduated at Harvard college, in 1698. Mr. Elliot, -publisher of the New-England Biographical Dictionary, at Boston, in the -year 1809, makes honourable mention of his name. Timothy Symmes, the -grandfather of the subject of this sketch, had but two sons; the one, -John Cleves Symmes, well known as the father and founder of the first -settlements in the Miami country; and the other, Timothy, the father of -our Theorist, and from whom the present family of Symmes, in the Miami -country, are descended. - -Captain Symmes is now about forty-six years of age. He is of middle -stature, and tolerably proportioned; with scarcely any thing in his -exterior to characterize the secret operations of his mind, except an -abstraction, which, from attentive inspection, is found seated on a -slightly contracted brow; and the glances of a bright blue eye, that -often seems fixed on something beyond immediate surrounding objects. -His head is round, and his face rather small and oval. His voice is -somewhat nasal, and he speaks hesitatingly and with apparent labour. -His manners are plain, and remarkable for native simplicity. He is a -native of the state of New-Jersey. During the early part of his life, -he received, what was then considered, a common English education, -which in after life he improved by having access to tolerably well -selected libraries; and being endued, by nature, with an insatiable -desire for knowledge of all kinds, he thus had, during the greater part -of his life, ample opportunities to indulge it. - -In the year 1802, and at the age of about twenty-two years, Mr. Symmes -entered the army of the United States, in the office of ensign; from -which he afterwards rose to that of captain. He continued in service -until after the close of the late war with Great-Britain. While -attached to the army he was universally esteemed a brave soldier, -and a zealous and faithful officer. He was in the memorable battle -of Bridgewater; and was senior Captain in the regiment to which he -belonged. The company under his immediate command, that day, discharged -seventy rounds of cartridges, and repelled three desperate charges of -the bayonet. - -Afterwards, in the sortie from Fort Erie, Captain Symmes, with his -command, captured the enemy's battery number two; and with his own -hand spiked the cannon it contained: yet, owing to the want of correct -information, or from some other cause, the honour and the reward of -this achievement, were alike bestowed upon others. And, it is a fact -not less to be regretted, that the official report of the battle of -Bridgewater, has represented the regiment, to which Captain Symmes -was attached, as almost the only one that retreated at Lunday's lane; -when, in truth, it was nearly the only one which uniformly maintained -the positions it was _ordered_ to maintain, throughout the action. -Captain Symmes, has since, however, substantiated the correctness of -its conduct, by obtaining the necessary acknowledgments; some of the -particulars of which were communicated to the Historical Society of -New-York, and published, in the newspapers of the day. The truth -of this statement, has also been confirmed to me, by a respectable -Officer, who was in the action, and witnessed the occurrence. - -During the period of about three years, immediately after the close of -the war, and after Captain Symmes had left the army, he was engaged in -the difficult and laborious task of furnishing supplies to the troops -stationed on the upper Mississippi. How he succeeded in this business I -am not informed; but, I conclude from his present circumstances, that -he could not have realized any very considerable pecuniary advantage -from the enterprise. Since that time he has resided at Newport, -Kentucky; devoting, almost exclusively, the whole of his time and -attention to the investigation and perfection of his favourite Theory -of Concentric Spheres. - -In a short circular, dated at St. Louis, in 1818, Captain Symmes -first promulgated the fundamental principles of his theory to the -world. He addressed a copy to every learned institution, and to every -considerable town and village, as well as distinguished individuals, of -which he could gain any intelligence, throughout the United States, and -to several learned societies in Europe. - -The reception this circular met with, was that of ridicule; it being -looked upon as the production of a distempered imagination, or the -ravings of partial insanity. Indeed, it became a fruitful source -of jest and levity, to publishers of the public prints of the day -generally, all over the Union. The Academy of Sciences in Paris, before -which it was laid by Count Volney, decided that it was unworthy of -their consideration; and the editor of the London Morning Chronicle, -could not be induced to credit the statements of respectable men, who -declared that Symmes was not a madman. But in this, his fate is not -peculiar. The experience of the world has taught us, that the authors -of new doctrines, have mostly shared a similar lot. An excellent -contemporary writer has remarked, that, "the fate of many projectors -have been so melancholy, that it requires, at this day, the daring -spirit, and the enthusiasm which are naturally allied to genius, in -any man to announce himself as the inventor of any thing new and -extraordinary. The patience and perseverance of a Galileo, and the -adventurous spirit of a Fulton, are necessary to him who would benefit -his species by the results of original plans and forms, or that of -new combinations of old and tried ones. Hence we cannot but respect -and admire the man, who, regardless of the hard fate of so many who -have trod before him, in the thorny path of improvement, still has the -fortitude and philosophy of mind to spend years in toil and study――to -labour by day with persevering industry――and trim the midnight lamp -with the vigilance ascribed to the ancient vestals, in bringing to -perfection an idea, from which he hopes to reap fame and benefit to -himself, and to reflect credit, at the same time, on the genius of his -country." - -Captain Symmes published two other numbers at St. Louis, in the year -1818; the one went to prove, by geometrical principles, that matter -must necessarily form itself into concentric spheres, and the other -treated of geological principles. His two next numbers, marked four -and five, (the one treating of the original formation of the Allegheny -mountains, and the other claiming the discovery of open poles,) I have -never had an opportunity of seeing. His sixth number appeared, dated -at Cincinnati, in January, 1819, which contains a number of items and -principles that he proposes treating of in subsequent numbers. His -seventh number, entitled "_Arctic Memoir_," is dated at Cincinnati, -in February, 1819; and another number, entitled "_Light between the -Spheres_," dated at Cincinnati, in August, 1819, was published in the -National Intelligencer. From that time to the present, numerous pieces -from the pen of Captain Symmes have appeared in different newspapers; -but the most prominent and grand doctrines, on which his theory is -based, are contained in the papers above enumerated. Independent of -his written publications, he has delivered a number of lectures on the -theory,――first at Cincinnati, in 1820, and afterwards at Lexington and -Frankfort, in Kentucky, and at Hamilton and Zanesville, in the state -of Ohio. Several of these lectures I had the pleasure of hearing; and -the respectable number of auditors, and the profound stillness that -reigned, evinced in the strongest manner the interest felt by all -present in the subject. In addition to the various facts and phenomena, -to which he adverts in support of his positions, he delineates in his -lectures, upon a wooden sphere, constructed on the principles of his -theory, the cause of the winding meridians, the icy hoop or verge, and -the course which ought to be pursued to reach the interior regions, -with the confidence of mathematical certainty. - -Captain Symmes's want of a classical education, and philosophic -attainments, perhaps, unfits him for the office of a lecturer. But, -his arguments being presented in confused array, and clothed in -homely phraseology, can furnish no objection to the soundness of his -doctrines. The imperfection of his style, and the inelegance of his -manner, may be deplored; but, certainly, constitute no proof of the -inadequacy of his reasoning, or the absurdity of his deductions. -There is scarcely a single individual, with whom I have conversed, -who does not confess that, if the facts which he adduces, and the -arguments he uses, were handled by an able orator, they would produce -a powerful effect. In short, those who attend to his lectures, without -regarding his peculiarities of style and manner; who reflect alone on -their substantial parts, without regarding the want of eloquence in -the lecturer; who presume to think for themselves, and are able to -comprehend the naked facts, and unadorned arguments, which he advances, -will not fail to discover in them many particulars well worthy of their -consideration; and many arguments calculated to stagger their faith in -pre-conceived opinions. - -In the year 1822, Captain Symmes petitioned the Congress of the United -States, setting forth, in the first place, his belief of the existence -of a habitable and accessible concave to this globe; his desire to -embark on a voyage of discovery to one or other of the polar regions; -his belief in the great profit and honour his country would derive -from such discovery;――and prayed that Congress would equip and fit out -for the expedition, two vessels of two hundred and fifty, or three -hundred, tons burthen; and grant such other aid as government might -deem necessary to promote the object. This petition was presented in -the Senate by Col. Richard M. Johnston, a member from Kentucky, on the -7th day of March, 1822; when, (a motion to refer it to the committee of -Foreign Relations having failed,) after a few remarks it was laid on -the table.――_Ayes_, 25. - -In December, 1823, he forwarded similar petitions to both houses of -Congress, which met with a similar fate. - -In January, 1824, he petitioned the General Assembly of the state -of Ohio, praying that body to pass a resolution approbatory of his -theory; and to recommend him to Congress for an outfit suitable to -the enterprise. This memorial was presented by Micajah T. Williams; -and, on motion, the further consideration thereof was indefinitely -postponed.[48] - -That Captain Symmes is a highminded, honorable man, is attested by all -who know him. He has devised a theory whereby to account for various -singular and interesting phenomena; and more satisfactorily to explain -a great variety of acknowledged facts. - -He argues from the effect to the cause, in many of his positions, with -great perspicuity. And the circumstance that few of the learned have -yet attempted to show that his principles are founded in absurdity, -should at least entitle him to the respect, and his theory to the -attention, of every candid man. Notwithstanding he has been buffeted by -the ridicule and sarcasm of an opposing world for seven years, under -great pecuniary embarrassments; he still labours with unshaken faith, -and unbroken perseverance; with a willingness at any time to test the -truth of his speculations amid the icy mountains of the polar seas. - -Already has he passed the meridian of life; and should he be called -from time, without establishing his theory by actual discovery; the -science he has embodied, and the facts he has collected and arranged -in support of it, together with his undeviating and indefatigable -industry, in the face of - - "The world's dread laugh, which scarce - The firm philosopher can scorn," - -will bear a testimonial to his talents and worth, that the best of -his species will ever delight to acknowledge. And though he may not -have accounted for every particular, or brought forward every argument -that might possibly be advanced in support of his positions; he has, -nevertheless, collected a greater number of peculiarly interesting -facts, and embodied a stronger phalanx of proof, than could well have -been expected on a subject so new, and in the hands of the original -discoverer. - -If, hereafter, it should be ascertained that Symmes's Theory of the -Earth is true, impartial posterity will not withhold the honour and -fame due to the name of the discoverer. - -It is hoped, however, that the present age will not so far forfeit to -posterity the high character it now sustains in scientific discovery, -as to remain deaf to his solicitations; but, that the citizens of -our own country in particular, if not the whole world, will unite in -testing the truth of his principles; and in doing justice to the merits -of this extraordinary man. - - -FINIS. - -FOOTNOTE: - -[48] Journal of the House of Representatives of Ohio; session of 1823, -'24――p. 224. - - - * * * * * - - -TRANSCRIBER'S NOTES: - -Punctuation has been standardized. - -Some alternate spellings have been retained. - -Pg. iv: "faciliate" changed to "facilitate" (to facilitate its -progress). - -Pg. 39: "obedidience" changed to "obedience" (in obedience to certain -fixed laws). - -Pg. 41, 44, 70, 79: "spheriod" changed to "spheroid" (is strictly a -spheroid) (that of a regular spheroid) (the form of an oblate spheroid) -(a compact and solid spheroid) (the earth is a solid spheroid). - -Pg. 57, 130: "occular" changed to "ocular" (positive ocular -demonstration) (admits of ocular demonstration). - -Pg. 62: "sometimes" changed to "some times" (at some times seven or -eight belts). - -Pg. 73: "appea" changed to "appear" (and appear again in great -numbers). Missing word "of" inserted (in the latter end of March). - -Pg. 76: (footnote) "Herne's" changed to "Hearne's" (Hearne's Journal). - -Pg. 83: (footnote) "Ross's" changed to "Ross'" (Ross' Voyage). - -Pg. 99: "Praire" changed to "Prairie" (in the neighbourhood of the -Little Prairie). - -Pg. 107: "maintainance" changed to "maintenance" (the maintenance and -support of organic life). - -Pg. 109: "plumet" changed to "plummet" (between the plummet and the -centre of gravity). - -Pg. 123: "Geogrophy" changed to "Geography" (to teach mankind Geology, -Geography, or Astronomy). - -Pg. 134: "cotemporaries" changed to "contemporaries" (above his -contemporaries). - -Pg. 151: "apparant" changed to "apparent" (beyond the apparent verge). - -Pg. 159: "catridges" changed to "cartridges" (discharged seventy rounds -of cartridges). - -Pg. 161: "Gallileo" changed to "Galileo" (patience and perseverance -of a Galileo). "cotemporary" changed to "contemporary" (contemporary -writer has remarked). - -Pg. 166: "buffetted" changed to "buffeted" (has been buffeted by the -ridicule). - - - - - -End of Project Gutenberg's Symmes's Theory of Concentric Spheres, by Anonymous - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK CONCENTRIC SPHERES *** - -***** This file should be named 54329-0.txt or 54329-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/4/3/2/54329/ - -Produced by Chris Curnow, Daniel Lowe and the Online -Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This -file was produced from images generously made available -by The Internet Archive) - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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