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diff --git a/old/54329-h/54329-h.htm b/old/54329-h/54329-h.htm deleted file mode 100644 index 3de4f27..0000000 --- a/old/54329-h/54329-h.htm +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5870 +0,0 @@ -<!DOCTYPE html PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD XHTML 1.0 Strict//EN" - "http://www.w3.org/TR/xhtml1/DTD/xhtml1-strict.dtd"> -<html xmlns="http://www.w3.org/1999/xhtml" xml:lang="en" lang="en"> - <head> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Type" content="text/html;charset=utf-8" /> - <meta http-equiv="Content-Style-Type" content="text/css" /> - <title> - The Project Gutenberg eBook of Symmes's Theory Of Concentric Spheres, by A Citizen of the United States. - </title> - <style type="text/css"> - -body { - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; -} - -h1, h2 { - text-align: center; /* all headings centered */ - clear: both; -} - -.booktitle, .subhead, .byline { text-align: center; } -.booktitle { font-size: 1.6em; } -.subhead { font-size: 1.2em; } -.byline { font-size: 1.4em; } - -div.chapter { - page-break-before: always; -} -.nobreak { - page-break-before: avoid; -} -@media handheld { - hr { - visibility: hidden; - display: none; - } -} - -p { - margin-top: 1em; - margin-bottom: 0; - line-height: 1.4em; -} -body > p { - text-align: justify; - text-indent: 1em; -} -/* suppress indentation on paragraphs following heads */ -h2+p { text-indent: 0; } - -/* page markers use absolute positioning, should not use indents. */ -p > span.pagenum, p.noindent { - text-indent: 0; -} - -.hang { - text-align: justify; - padding-left: 1em; - text-indent: -1em; -} - -.vert-spacer { - margin: 2em auto auto auto; - text-align: center; - width: 72px; -} - -hr { - width: 33%; - margin-top: 2em; - margin-bottom: 2em; - margin-left: auto; - margin-right: auto; - clear: both; -} - -hr.chap { width: 65%; } - -.pagenum { - /* visibility: hidden; */ - position: absolute; - left: 92%; - font-size: smaller; - text-align: right; -} - -.attribution { - text-align: right; - margin-top: 0.4em; - margin-right: 2em; - line-height: 1.2em; -} - -.center { text-align: center; } -.smcap { font-variant: small-caps; } - -img { - max-width: 100%; - height: auto; -} - -/* Images */ -.figcenter { - margin: 1em auto auto auto; - text-align: center; - page-break-inside: avoid; -} - -/* Footnotes */ -.footnotes { - border: dashed 1px; -} -.footnote { - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; - font-size: 0.9em; -} - -.footnote .label { - position: absolute; - right: 84%; - text-align: right; -} - -.fnanchor { - vertical-align: super; - font-size: .8em; - text-decoration: none; -} - -/* Poetry */ -.poetry-container { - text-align: center; -} -.poetry { - display: inline-block; - text-align: left; -} -.poetry .stanza { - margin: 1em auto; -} -.poetry .verse { - text-indent: -3em; - padding-left: 3em; -} -@media handheld { - .poetry { - page-break-inside: avoid; - display: block; - margin-left: 2em; - } -} - -.the-end { - text-align: center; - font-weight: bold; -} - -/* Transcriber's notes */ -.tnote { - margin-left: 10%; - margin-right: 10%; - padding: .5em 1.5em; - background-color: #ccccff; -} -.tnote .title { - text-align: center; - font-size: 1.25em; - font-weight: bold; -} - -.non-italic { - font-style: normal; -} - - </style> - </head> -<body> - - -<pre> - -Project Gutenberg's Symmes's Theory of Concentric Spheres, by Anonymous - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. 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) - - - - - - -</pre> - - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/cover.jpg" alt="Cover" id="coverpage" /> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="tnote"> - <p class="title">Transcriber's Note</p> - <p class="center"> - The cover image was created by the transcriber and is placed in the public domain. - </p> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> -<div class="chapter"></div> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_i" id="Page_i">[i]</a></span></p> - -<h1>SYMMES'S THEORY<br /> -<small>OF</small><br /> -CONCENTRIC SPHERES;</h1> - -<div class="subhead"> -<p><small>DEMONSTRATING</small><br /> -THAT THE EARTH IS HOLLOW, HABITABLE WITHIN,<br /> -<small>AND</small><br /> -WIDELY OPEN ABOUT THE POLES.</p> -</div> - -<div class="byline"> -<p><em>By a Citizen of the United States.</em></p> -</div> - -<div class="vert-spacer"></div> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">"There are more things in Heaven and EARTH, Horatio,</div> -<div class="verse">Than are dreamt of in your philosophy!"</div> -</div> -</div> -</div> - -<p class="attribution">SHAKSPEARE.</p> - -<blockquote> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p class="attribution"> -MILTON. -</p> - -</blockquote> - -<div class="vert-spacer"></div> - -<div class="center"> -CINCINNATI:<br /> -PRINTED AND PUBLISHED BY MORGAN, LODGE AND FISHER.<br /> -1826. -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ii" id="Page_ii">[ii]</a></span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak"><span class="smcap">DISTRICT OF OHIO, to wit</span>.</h2> - -<p><span class="smcap">Be it remembered</span>, 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, -<span class="smcap">Messrs. Morgan, Lodge and Fisher</span>, 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:</p> - -<p>"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."</p> - -<p>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."</p> - -<div> -<p class="attribution"> -Attest, WILLIAM KEY BOND, <span class="smcap">Clerk</span>. -</p> -</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iii" id="Page_iii">[iii]</a></span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak">ADVERTISEMENT.</h2> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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 <em>errors of the press</em> will -doubtless be discovered; as (in the absence -of both Compiler and Theorist) there was -no <em>proof-reader</em> at hand, sufficiently versed in -the New Theory, at all times, to detect them.</p> - -<div> -<p class="attribution"> -THE PUBLISHERS. -</p> -</div> - -<p><i>Cincinnati, April, 1826.</i></p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_iv" id="Page_iv">[iv]</a></span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak">To the Public.</h2> - -<p>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 <i lang="it" xml:lang="it">incognito</i>, 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 <em>subsequent events</em>, 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 "<em>follow in the wake</em>," -of public investigation.</p> - -<div> -<p class="attribution"> -THE AUTHOR. -</p> -</div> - -<p><i>March, 1826.</i></p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_v" id="Page_v">[v]</a></span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak">Preface.</h2> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vi" id="Page_vi">[vi]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_vii" id="Page_vii">[vii]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p><i>August, A. D. 1824.</i></p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_viii" id="Page_viii">[viii]</a></span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak">Apology<br /> -<small>TO</small><br /> -CAPTAIN SYMMES.</h2> - -<p><span class="smcap">Sir</span>—</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>As I have not seen all your publications in the newspapers, -if I have not fully understood, or if I have misrepresented<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_ix" id="Page_ix">[ix]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<blockquote> -<p style="padding-left: 4em;"> -<span class="smcap">I am Sir</span>, -</p> -<p><em>One of the believers in that Theory</em>,—</p> -</blockquote> - -<div> -<p class="attribution"> -THE AUTHOR. -</p> -</div> - -<p> -1824. -</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_x" id="Page_x">[x]</a></span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CONTENTS.</h2> - -<div class="center"> -<p><a href="#Page_13">CHAPTER I.</a></p> -</div> - -<p>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.</p> - -<div class="center"> -<p><a href="#Page_25">CHAPTER II.</a></p> -</div> - -<p>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.</p> - -<div class="center"> -<p><a href="#Chapter_III">CHAPTER III.</a></p> -</div> - -<p>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.</p> - -<div class="center"> -<p><a href="#Page_57">CHAPTER IV.</a></p> -</div> - -<p>Arguments in support of Symmes's Theory, drawn from -Celestial appearances.</p> - -<div class="center"> -<p><a href="#Page_68">CHAPTER V.</a></p> -</div> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_xi" id="Page_xi">[xi]</a></span> -from refraction, and the variation of the compass, observed -in high northern latitudes.</p> - -<div class="center"> -<p><a href="#Page_93">CHAPTER VI.</a></p> -</div> - -<p>Facts tending to illustrate and prove the existence of a -<em>mid-plane space</em>, situated between the concave and convex -surfaces of the sphere.</p> - -<div class="center"> -<p><a href="#Page_107">CHAPTER VII.</a></p> -</div> - -<p>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.</p> - -<div class="center"> -<p><a href="#Page_129">CHAPTER VIII.</a></p> -</div> - -<p>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.</p> - -<div class="center"> -<p><a href="#Page_146">CHAPTER IX.</a></p> -</div> - -<p>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.</p> - -<div class="center"> -<p><a href="#Page_157">CHAPTER X.</a></p> -</div> - -<p>A short Biographical sketch of Captain Symmes; with -some observations on the treatment which he has met with -in the advancement of his theory.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> -<div class="chapter"></div> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_13" id="Page_13">[13]</a></span></p> - -<div class="booktitle">THE THEORY<br /> -<small>OF</small><br /> -<b>CONCENTRIC SPHERES</b>.</div> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER I.</h2> - -<p class="hang"><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.</i></p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_14" id="Page_14">[14]</a></span> -received opinions has retarded the progress -of philosophic improvement more than the -want of bold, original, and enquiring genius.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>Although nearly six thousand years have -elapsed since man has been placed upon the -earth, he yet knows but little of its formation.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_15" id="Page_15">[15]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>Subsequent discoveries have, however, -taught us the errors of the ancients. We -now know that the torrid zone teems with<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_16" id="Page_16">[16]</a></span> -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 <em>we -do know</em> to exist throughout his works.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_17" id="Page_17">[17]</a></span></p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_18" id="Page_18">[18]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_19" id="Page_19">[19]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>1. "That the sun is the centre of the world, -and immoveable by a local motion;" and</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_20" id="Page_20">[20]</a></span></p> - -<p>2. "That the earth is not the centre of the -world, nor immoveable, but that it moves -with a diurnal motion."</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>Much as we may feel ourselves elated on -account of the new lights which have since<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_21" id="Page_21">[21]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_22" id="Page_22">[22]</a></span> -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?</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_23" id="Page_23">[23]</a></span></p> - -<p>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 <em>traveller</em>. 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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_24" id="Page_24">[24]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_25" id="Page_25">[25]</a></span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER II.</h2> - -<p class="hang"><i>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.</i></p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_26" id="Page_26">[26]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_27" id="Page_27">[27]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>In regard to the <em>effects</em> of gravity, he pretends -not to differ from the generally received -opinion of the age; but the <em>application</em> of them, -as to the inner parts of insulated bodies, has -enabled him to <em>improve</em> in a knowledge of the -formation of planets; and finally led him to -form a correct idea of what <em>constitutes</em> gravity.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_28" id="Page_28">[28]</a></span></p> - -<p>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.<a name="FNanchor_1_1" id="FNanchor_1_1"></a><a href="#Footnote_1_1" class="fnanchor">[1]</a> 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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_29" id="Page_29">[29]</a></span> -verge would become <em>apparent</em>, to the navigator -proceeding north, in about latitude ninety degrees.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_30" id="Page_30">[30]</a></span></p> - -<p>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.<a name="FNanchor_2_2" id="FNanchor_2_2"></a><a href="#Footnote_2_2" class="fnanchor">[2]</a> Consequently, according to<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_31" id="Page_31">[31]</a></span> -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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_32" id="Page_32">[32]</a></span> -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 -"<em>ground swells</em>" 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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_33" id="Page_33">[33]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_34" id="Page_34">[34]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_35" id="Page_35">[35]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_36" id="Page_36">[36]</a></span> -propagation and support of animal and vegetable -life.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_37" id="Page_37">[37]</a></span></p> - -<p>The disciples of Symmes believe that each -sphere has a cavity, or <em>mid-plane space</em> 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 <em>molecules</em> greatly rarified in comparison -with the gravity of the extended or exposed -surfaces of the sphere. This <em>mid-plane -space</em> tends to give the sphere a degree of -lightness and buoyancy. Besides this large -<em>mid-plane space</em>, 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 -<em>mid-plane spaces</em> 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.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_38" id="Page_38">[38]</a></span></p> - -<p>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 <em>mid-plane space</em>, through -which liquid apertures, light and heat may -be communicated, perhaps, to the interior -surface of the sphere.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> -<div class="chapter"></div> -<p><a name="Chapter_III" id="Chapter_III"></a></p> -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER III.</h2> - -<p class="hang"><i>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.</i></p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_39" id="Page_39">[39]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_40" id="Page_40">[40]</a></span></p> - -<p>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 <em>established</em> 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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_41" id="Page_41">[41]</a></span> -a globe of only half the diameter, would contain -only 33,134,819,952.<a name="FNanchor_3_3" id="FNanchor_3_3"></a><a href="#Footnote_3_3" class="fnanchor">[3]</a></p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_42" id="Page_42">[42]</a></span></p> -<p>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:</p> - -<div class="figcenter"> -<img src="images/i_042.png" alt="Diagram of Earth divided into sections" /> -</div> - -<p class="noindent">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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_43" id="Page_43">[43]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_44" id="Page_44">[44]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_45" id="Page_45">[45]</a></span> -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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_46" id="Page_46">[46]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_47" id="Page_47">[47]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_48" id="Page_48">[48]</a></span></p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_49" id="Page_49">[49]</a></span> -the spheres are much firmer than water.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_50" id="Page_50">[50]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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?</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_51" id="Page_51">[51]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_52" id="Page_52">[52]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_53" id="Page_53">[53]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_54" id="Page_54">[54]</a></span> -the stalk of wheat governed, that it should <em>always</em> -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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_55" id="Page_55">[55]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_56" id="Page_56">[56]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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) <em>a great saving -of stuff</em>.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_57" id="Page_57">[57]</a></span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER IV.</h2> - -<p class="hang"><i>Arguments in support of Symmes's Theory, drawn from -celestial appearances.</i></p> - -<p>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.<a name="FNanchor_4_4" id="FNanchor_4_4"></a><a href="#Footnote_4_4" class="fnanchor">[4]</a> -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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_58" id="Page_58">[58]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_59" id="Page_59">[59]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_60" id="Page_60">[60]</a></span></p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_61" id="Page_61">[61]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_62" id="Page_62">[62]</a></span> -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.<a name="FNanchor_5_5" id="FNanchor_5_5"></a><a href="#Footnote_5_5" class="fnanchor">[5]</a></p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_63" id="Page_63">[63]</a></span> -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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_64" id="Page_64">[64]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_65" id="Page_65">[65]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>The spots of light which have at different -periods been discovered by astronomers, on<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_66" id="Page_66">[66]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_67" id="Page_67">[67]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_68" id="Page_68">[68]</a></span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER V.</h2> - -<p class="hang"><i>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></p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_69" id="Page_69">[69]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_70" id="Page_70">[70]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_71" id="Page_71">[71]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_72" id="Page_72">[72]</a></span> -more than snow and ice to feed on in the country -to which they migrate.</p> - -<p>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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_73" id="Page_73">[73]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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 <em>musk-oxen</em> -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;<a name="FNanchor_6_6" id="FNanchor_6_6"></a><a href="#Footnote_6_6" class="fnanchor">[6]</a> -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.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_74" id="Page_74">[74]</a></span></p> -<p>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.<a name="FNanchor_7_7" id="FNanchor_7_7"></a><a href="#Footnote_7_7" class="fnanchor">[7]</a> 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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_75" id="Page_75">[75]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.<a name="FNanchor_8_8" id="FNanchor_8_8"></a><a href="#Footnote_8_8" class="fnanchor">[8]</a> He enumerates -ten different species of geese, several of which,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_76" id="Page_76">[76]</a></span> -(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;<a name="FNanchor_9_9" id="FNanchor_9_9"></a><a href="#Footnote_9_9" class="fnanchor">[9]</a> 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.<a name="FNanchor_10_10" id="FNanchor_10_10"></a><a href="#Footnote_10_10" class="fnanchor">[10]</a> 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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_77" id="Page_77">[77]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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:<a name="FNanchor_11_11" id="FNanchor_11_11"></a><a href="#Footnote_11_11" class="fnanchor">[11]</a> and -some are said to have sailed as far north as -eighty-eight and eighty-nine degrees.<a name="FNanchor_12_12" id="FNanchor_12_12"></a><a href="#Footnote_12_12" class="fnanchor">[12]</a> It is -almost uniformly stated, that in those high latitudes, -the sea is clear of ice, or nearly so, and -the weather moderate.<a name="FNanchor_13_13" id="FNanchor_13_13"></a><a href="#Footnote_13_13" class="fnanchor">[13]</a> To cite the various -instances in which navigators have sailed far -north, would be too tedious:<a name="FNanchor_14_14" id="FNanchor_14_14"></a><a href="#Footnote_14_14" class="fnanchor">[14]</a> the whole book<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_78" id="Page_78">[78]</a></span> -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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_79" id="Page_79">[79]</a></span> -we come to an open sea, and a more temperate -region.</p> - -<p>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.<a name="FNanchor_15_15" id="FNanchor_15_15"></a><a href="#Footnote_15_15" class="fnanchor">[15]</a> -But, at the same season, on the southern -parts of Spitzbergen, the sea is bound up with -solid and compact ice.</p> - -<p>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,<a name="FNanchor_16_16" id="FNanchor_16_16"></a><a href="#Footnote_16_16" class="fnanchor">[16]</a> 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;<a name="FNanchor_17_17" id="FNanchor_17_17"></a><a href="#Footnote_17_17" class="fnanchor">[17]</a> while on the northern parts of Spitzbergen, -they have rein-deer, which are often<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_80" id="Page_80">[80]</a></span> -exceedingly fat; and Mr. Grey mentions three -or four species of plants which grow and flower -there, during the summer.<a name="FNanchor_18_18" id="FNanchor_18_18"></a><a href="#Footnote_18_18" class="fnanchor">[18]</a></p> - -<p>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:<a name="FNanchor_19_19" id="FNanchor_19_19"></a><a href="#Footnote_19_19" class="fnanchor">[19]</a> and both Pinkerton and -Barrington inform us, that beyond the latitude -of seventy-five degrees, the north winds -are frequently warm in winter;<a name="FNanchor_20_20" id="FNanchor_20_20"></a><a href="#Footnote_20_20" class="fnanchor">[20]</a> 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.</p> - -<p>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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_81" id="Page_81">[81]</a></span> -on the Mississippi, which is in latitude -forty-six degrees, is said to be considerably -colder than Quebec.<a name="FNanchor_21_21" id="FNanchor_21_21"></a><a href="#Footnote_21_21" class="fnanchor">[21]</a> 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.</p> - -<p>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.<a name="FNanchor_22_22" id="FNanchor_22_22"></a><a href="#Footnote_22_22" class="fnanchor">[22]</a> 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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_82" id="Page_82">[82]</a></span> -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;<a name="FNanchor_23_23" id="FNanchor_23_23"></a><a href="#Footnote_23_23" class="fnanchor">[23]</a> -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.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_83" id="Page_83">[83]</a></span></p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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;"<a name="FNanchor_24_24" id="FNanchor_24_24"></a><a href="#Footnote_24_24" class="fnanchor">[24]</a> 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:"<a name="FNanchor_25_25" id="FNanchor_25_25"></a><a href="#Footnote_25_25" class="fnanchor">[25]</a> Consequently these<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_84" id="Page_84">[84]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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,<a name="FNanchor_26_26" id="FNanchor_26_26"></a><a href="#Footnote_26_26" class="fnanchor">[26]</a> 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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_85" id="Page_85">[85]</a></span> -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.<a name="FNanchor_27_27" id="FNanchor_27_27"></a><a href="#Footnote_27_27" class="fnanchor">[27]</a> 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.</p> - -<p>All northern navigators and travellers -agree, that high north the sun becomes less -bright, and the sky darker, than in more<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_86" id="Page_86">[86]</a></span> -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.<a name="FNanchor_28_28" id="FNanchor_28_28"></a><a href="#Footnote_28_28" class="fnanchor">[28]</a> It has also been observed -that the mercury in the barometer is less -fluctuating in northern regions, than it is -further south.</p> - -<p>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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_87" id="Page_87">[87]</a></span> -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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_88" id="Page_88">[88]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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?</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_89" id="Page_89">[89]</a></span></p> - -<p>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?</p> - -<p>According to the doctrine of hollow spheres, -this whole mystery, of the variation of the -compass, can be satisfactorily explained.<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_90" id="Page_90">[90]</a></span> -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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_91" id="Page_91">[91]</a></span> -(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.<a name="FNanchor_29_29" id="FNanchor_29_29"></a><a href="#Footnote_29_29" class="fnanchor">[29]</a></p> - -<p>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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_92" id="Page_92">[92]</a></span> -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.<a name="FNanchor_30_30" id="FNanchor_30_30"></a><a href="#Footnote_30_30" class="fnanchor">[30]</a></p> -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_93" id="Page_93">[93]</a></span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER VI.</h2> - -<p class="hang"><i>Facts tending to illustrate and prove the existence of a <span class="non-italic">mid-plane-space,</span> -situated between the concave and convex -surfaces of the sphere.</i></p> - -<p>According to Symmes's Theory, each -sphere has an intermediate cavity, or <em>mid-plane-space</em>, -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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_94" id="Page_94">[94]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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 <em>mid-plane-space</em>, or of spaces, filled -with a certain hydrogenous gas, which being -much lighter than atmospheric air, if there<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_95" id="Page_95">[95]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>The elastic fluid, with which the <em>mid-plane</em> -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.</p> - -<p>If the earth be a solid globe, I am at a loss -to account for the principles on which earthquakes<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_96" id="Page_96">[96]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_97" id="Page_97">[97]</a></span></p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_98" id="Page_98">[98]</a></span></p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_99" id="Page_99">[99]</a></span> -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 <em>mid-plane</em> -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.<a name="FNanchor_31_31" id="FNanchor_31_31"></a><a href="#Footnote_31_31" class="fnanchor">[31]</a></p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_100" id="Page_100">[100]</a></span></p> -<p>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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_101" id="Page_101">[101]</a></span> -<em>hydro-carbonate;</em> 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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_102" id="Page_102">[102]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_103" id="Page_103">[103]</a></span> -even sometimes wild water fowl.<a name="FNanchor_32_32" id="FNanchor_32_32"></a><a href="#Footnote_32_32" class="fnanchor">[32]</a> 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.<a name="FNanchor_33_33" id="FNanchor_33_33"></a><a href="#Footnote_33_33" class="fnanchor">[33]</a> The lake, Agnano, in Italy, -sometimes, especially when the waters are<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_104" id="Page_104">[104]</a></span> -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.<a name="FNanchor_34_34" id="FNanchor_34_34"></a><a href="#Footnote_34_34" class="fnanchor">[34]</a> -These various phenomena, which cannot be -easily accounted for, might be best explained -perhaps, on the principles of <em>mid-plane-spaces</em>. -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.<a name="FNanchor_35_35" id="FNanchor_35_35"></a><a href="#Footnote_35_35" class="fnanchor">[35]</a></p> - -<p>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.<a name="FNanchor_36_36" id="FNanchor_36_36"></a><a href="#Footnote_36_36" class="fnanchor">[36]</a> 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 <em>mid-plane-space</em>,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_105" id="Page_105">[105]</a></span> -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 <em>mid-plane-space</em>. -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<a name="FNanchor_37_37" id="FNanchor_37_37"></a><a href="#Footnote_37_37" class="fnanchor">[37]</a>—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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_106" id="Page_106">[106]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_107" id="Page_107">[107]</a></span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER VII.</h2> - -<p class="hang"><i>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.</i></p> - -<p>Some of the most prominent objections -which I have heard advanced against the -theory of concentric spheres are the following:</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_108" id="Page_108">[108]</a></span></p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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?<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_109" id="Page_109">[109]</a></span> -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 <em>turned</em> (what is familiarly called) <em>down</em>.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_110" id="Page_110">[110]</a></span></p> - -<p>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?</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>3d. The force of this objection I cannot -appreciate; for if all the planetary orbs in -the universe are composed of hollow concentric<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_111" id="Page_111">[111]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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 <em>profess to be</em>.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_112" id="Page_112">[112]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_113" id="Page_113">[113]</a></span> -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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_114" id="Page_114">[114]</a></span> -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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_115" id="Page_115">[115]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_116" id="Page_116">[116]</a></span> -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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_117" id="Page_117">[117]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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 <em>from</em> the surface, -and on the concave to force it from the -centre of motion, and nearer <em>to</em> 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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_118" id="Page_118">[118]</a></span> -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 -<em>mid-plane-spaces</em>, or cavities) which being the -case, light would probably be transmitted -between the spheres.</p> - -<p>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.<a name="FNanchor_38_38" id="FNanchor_38_38"></a><a href="#Footnote_38_38" class="fnanchor">[38]</a> It was doubtless -owing to some peculiar refractive power<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_119" id="Page_119">[119]</a></span> -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.<a name="FNanchor_39_39" id="FNanchor_39_39"></a><a href="#Footnote_39_39" class="fnanchor">[39]</a> This -tends to show that there is more refraction -in the northern regions than is observable -in the south.<a name="FNanchor_40_40" id="FNanchor_40_40"></a><a href="#Footnote_40_40" class="fnanchor">[40]</a></p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_120" id="Page_120">[120]</a></span> -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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_121" id="Page_121">[121]</a></span> -of what the earth receives.<a name="FNanchor_41_41" id="FNanchor_41_41"></a><a href="#Footnote_41_41" class="fnanchor">[41]</a> The light and -heat which Saturn receives from the sun is -estimated at only the one hundredth part of -that of the earth;<a name="FNanchor_42_42" id="FNanchor_42_42"></a><a href="#Footnote_42_42" class="fnanchor">[42]</a> 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.<a name="FNanchor_43_43" id="FNanchor_43_43"></a><a href="#Footnote_43_43" class="fnanchor">[43]</a></p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_122" id="Page_122">[122]</a></span></p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_123" id="Page_123">[123]</a></span> -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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_124" id="Page_124">[124]</a></span> -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,<a name="FNanchor_44_44" id="FNanchor_44_44"></a><a href="#Footnote_44_44" class="fnanchor">[44]</a>) 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.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_125" id="Page_125">[125]</a></span></p> -<p>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;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_126" id="Page_126">[126]</a></span> -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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_127" id="Page_127">[127]</a></span> -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?</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_128" id="Page_128">[128]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_129" id="Page_129">[129]</a></span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER VIII.</h2> - -<p class="hang"><i>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.</i></p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_130" id="Page_130">[130]</a></span> -that matter and space are never uselessly -wasted, is an axiom, not only of sound philosophy, -but of natural religion, and of common -sense.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_131" id="Page_131">[131]</a></span> -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.<a name="FNanchor_45_45" id="FNanchor_45_45"></a><a href="#Footnote_45_45" class="fnanchor">[45]</a></p> - -<p>However, he suggests no idea of Polar<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_132" id="Page_132">[132]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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?</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_133" id="Page_133">[133]</a></span> -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.<a name="FNanchor_46_46" id="FNanchor_46_46"></a><a href="#Footnote_46_46" class="fnanchor">[46]</a></p> - -<p>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 <em>concentric -spheres</em>, 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 -<em>voyage to the polar regions</em>, 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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_134" id="Page_134">[134]</a></span> -and establish many new principles, not -thought of at this day.</p> - -<p>"<em>Knowledge is power</em>," 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.</p> - -<p>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,)<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_135" id="Page_135">[135]</a></span> -to hold out inducements for the progressive -improvements, and useful discoveries -of our own citizens?</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_136" id="Page_136">[136]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_137" id="Page_137">[137]</a></span> -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?</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_138" id="Page_138">[138]</a></span> -too, as will justify the use of money and men; -while the honour of the discovery of a New -World would be its reward.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_139" id="Page_139">[139]</a></span> -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 <em>dare</em> to say, -that none can be found, who <em>can</em> 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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_140" id="Page_140">[140]</a></span> -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 <em>this</em> should fail, would it be a<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_141" id="Page_141">[141]</a></span> -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 <em>great Northern -Bear</em>, 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.</p> - -<p>Within a few years, several expeditions -have been fitted out for the purpose of discovery, -by different nations in Europe, and<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_142" id="Page_142">[142]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_143" id="Page_143">[143]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_144" id="Page_144">[144]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_145" id="Page_145">[145]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_146" id="Page_146">[146]</a></span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER IX.</h2> - -<p class="hang"><i>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.</i></p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_147" id="Page_147">[147]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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.<a name="FNanchor_47_47" id="FNanchor_47_47"></a><a href="#Footnote_47_47" class="fnanchor">[47]</a> But,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_148" id="Page_148">[148]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_149" id="Page_149">[149]</a></span></p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_150" id="Page_150">[150]</a></span> -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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_151" id="Page_151">[151]</a></span> -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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_152" id="Page_152">[152]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_153" id="Page_153">[153]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>A vessel, almost at any time in summer, -could sail to, and remain at Spitzbergen, -(having the necessary conveniences on board<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_154" id="Page_154">[154]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_155" id="Page_155">[155]</a></span> -as to be easily carried by men over ice, -or necks of land, should it become necessary.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_156" id="Page_156">[156]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<hr class="chap" /> - -<div class="chapter"></div> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_157" id="Page_157">[157]</a></span></p> - -<h2 class="nobreak">CHAPTER X.</h2> - -<p class="hang"><i>A short Biographical sketch of Captain Symmes; with some -observations on the treatment which he has met with in -the advancement of his Theory.</i></p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_158" id="Page_158">[158]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_159" id="Page_159">[159]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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 <em>ordered</em> -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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_160" id="Page_160">[160]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_161" id="Page_161">[161]</a></span></p> - -<p>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,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_162" id="Page_162">[162]</a></span> -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."</p> - -<p>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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_163" id="Page_163">[163]</a></span> -numbers. His seventh number, entitled -"<cite>Arctic Memoir</cite>," is dated at Cincinnati, -in February, 1819; and another number, -entitled "<cite>Light between the Spheres</cite>," 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<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_164" id="Page_164">[164]</a></span> -ought to be pursued to reach the interior regions, -with the confidence of mathematical -certainty.</p> - -<p>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;<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_165" id="Page_165">[165]</a></span> -and many arguments calculated -to stagger their faith in pre-conceived opinions.</p> - -<p>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.—<cite>Ayes</cite>, 25.</p> - -<p>In December, 1823, he forwarded similar -petitions to both houses of Congress, which -met with a similar fate.</p> - -<p>In January, 1824, he petitioned the General -Assembly of the state of Ohio, praying<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_166" id="Page_166">[166]</a></span> -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.<a name="FNanchor_48_48" id="FNanchor_48_48"></a><a href="#Footnote_48_48" class="fnanchor">[48]</a></p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> -<p><span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_167" id="Page_167">[167]</a></span></p> -<p>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</p> - -<div class="poetry-container"> -<div class="poetry"> -<div class="stanza"> -<div class="verse">"The world's dread laugh, which scarce</div> -<div class="verse">The firm philosopher can scorn,"</div> -</div> -</div> -</div> - -<p class="noindent">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.</p> - -<p>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.</p> - -<p>It is hoped, however, that the present age -will not so far forfeit to posterity the high character -it now sustains in scientific discovery,<span class="pagenum"><a name="Page_168" id="Page_168">[168]</a></span> -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.</p> - -<p class="the-end">FINIS.</p> - -<div class="vert-spacer"></div> - -<div class="chapter"></div> -<div class="footnotes"><h2 class="nobreak">FOOTNOTES</h2> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_1_1" id="Footnote_1_1"></a><a href="#FNanchor_1_1"><span class="label">[1]</span></a> National Intelligencer of June 10th, 1824.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_2_2" id="Footnote_2_2"></a><a href="#FNanchor_2_2"><span class="label">[2]</span></a> 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.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_3_3" id="Footnote_3_3"></a><a href="#FNanchor_3_3"><span class="label">[3]</span></a> 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.] -</p> -<p> -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. -</p> -<p> -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.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_4_4" id="Footnote_4_4"></a><a href="#FNanchor_4_4"><span class="label">[4]</span></a> Physical World, p. 42.—Adam's Philosophy, vol. 4, -p. 206; Philadelphia, 1807.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_5_5" id="Footnote_5_5"></a><a href="#FNanchor_5_5"><span class="label">[5]</span></a> "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. -</p> -<p> -<i>Quere</i>—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?</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_6_6" id="Footnote_6_6"></a><a href="#FNanchor_6_6"><span class="label">[6]</span></a> Hearne's Journal, pp. 357, 368.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_7_7" id="Footnote_7_7"></a><a href="#FNanchor_7_7"><span class="label">[7]</span></a> Hearne's Journal, pp. 364, 365.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_8_8" id="Footnote_8_8"></a><a href="#FNanchor_8_8"><span class="label">[8]</span></a> Hearne's Journal, p. 442.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_9_9" id="Footnote_9_9"></a><a href="#FNanchor_9_9"><span class="label">[9]</span></a> -Hearne's Journal, p. 442, 443, 444, 445, 446.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_10_10" id="Footnote_10_10"></a><a href="#FNanchor_10_10"><span class="label">[10]</span></a> Ibid, p. 445.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_11_11" id="Footnote_11_11"></a><a href="#FNanchor_11_11"><span class="label">[11]</span></a> Barrington and Beaufoy, pp. 21, 51.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_12_12" id="Footnote_12_12"></a><a href="#FNanchor_12_12"><span class="label">[12]</span></a> Ibid, pp. 25, 61.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_13_13" id="Footnote_13_13"></a><a href="#FNanchor_13_13"><span class="label">[13]</span></a> Ibid, pp 25, 32, 37, 61.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_14_14" id="Footnote_14_14"></a> -<a href="#FNanchor_14_14"><span class="label">[14]</span></a> -<cite>From the National Intelligencer of Sept. 30, 1824.</cite> -</p> -<p> -"<span class="smcap">Polar Seas.</span>—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." -</p> -<p> -<cite>Literary Gazette.</cite> -</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_15_15" id="Footnote_15_15"></a><a href="#FNanchor_15_15"><span class="label">[15]</span></a> Barrington and Beaufoy, p. 74.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_16_16" id="Footnote_16_16"></a><a href="#FNanchor_16_16"><span class="label">[16]</span></a> Purchas, vol. 1, p. 479.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_17_17" id="Footnote_17_17"></a><a href="#FNanchor_17_17"><span class="label">[17]</span></a> Hearne's Journal, p. 7.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_18_18" id="Footnote_18_18"></a><a href="#FNanchor_18_18"><span class="label">[18]</span></a> Barrington and Beaufoy, p. 36.—Dr. Birch's history -of the Royal Society, vol. et seq.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_19_19" id="Footnote_19_19"></a><a href="#FNanchor_19_19"><span class="label">[19]</span></a> Bar. p. 101.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_20_20" id="Footnote_20_20"></a><a href="#FNanchor_20_20"><span class="label">[20]</span></a> Barrington and Beaufoy, pp. 25, 124.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_21_21" id="Footnote_21_21"></a><a href="#FNanchor_21_21"><span class="label">[21]</span></a> 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.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_22_22" id="Footnote_22_22"></a><a href="#FNanchor_22_22"><span class="label">[22]</span></a> Barrington and Beaufoy, p. 74.—Ross' Voyage, vol. 1, -p. 52, London, 1819.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_23_23" id="Footnote_23_23"></a><a href="#FNanchor_23_23"><span class="label">[23]</span></a> Darwin's Botanic Garden.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_24_24" id="Footnote_24_24"></a><a href="#FNanchor_24_24"><span class="label">[24]</span></a> Ross' Voyage, v. 1, p. 175.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_25_25" id="Footnote_25_25"></a><a href="#FNanchor_25_25"><span class="label">[25]</span></a> Ross' Voyage, v. 1, p. 110.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_26_26" id="Footnote_26_26"></a><a href="#FNanchor_26_26"><span class="label">[26]</span></a> Ross' Voyages, v. 1, pp. 71, 135, 199, 206.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_27_27" id="Footnote_27_27"></a><a href="#FNanchor_27_27"><span class="label">[27]</span></a> Mackenzie states, "that sometimes the land <em>looms</em>, so -that there may be a great deception in the distances."—Mackenzie's -Voyage, p. 11, New-York, 1802.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_28_28" id="Footnote_28_28"></a><a href="#FNanchor_28_28"><span class="label">[28]</span></a> Ross' Voyage, v. 2, p. 4, London, 1819.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_29_29" id="Footnote_29_29"></a><a href="#FNanchor_29_29"><span class="label">[29]</span></a> Ross' Voyage, v. 2, p. 119.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_30_30" id="Footnote_30_30"></a><a href="#FNanchor_30_30"><span class="label">[30]</span></a> Physical World, p. 72.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_31_31" id="Footnote_31_31"></a><a href="#FNanchor_31_31"><span class="label">[31]</span></a> <span class="smcap">Earthquakes.</span>—M. Biot, after detailing the phenomena -of the earthquake, on the 22d of February, 1822, concludes -an interesting paper with these observations:— -</p> -<p> -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.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_32_32" id="Footnote_32_32"></a><a href="#FNanchor_32_32"><span class="label">[32]</span></a> Cook's Geography, v. 2, p. 250—Also Rees' Cyclopedia, -article Lake.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_33_33" id="Footnote_33_33"></a><a href="#FNanchor_33_33"><span class="label">[33]</span></a> Rees' Cyclopedia, article Lake Geneva.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_34_34" id="Footnote_34_34"></a><a href="#FNanchor_34_34"><span class="label">[34]</span></a> Rees' Cyclopedia, article Lake.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_35_35" id="Footnote_35_35"></a><a href="#FNanchor_35_35"><span class="label">[35]</span></a> Ross' Voyage, v. -1, p. 225.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_36_36" id="Footnote_36_36"></a><a href="#FNanchor_36_36"><span class="label">[36]</span></a> Ibid, v. 1, p. 144.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_37_37" id="Footnote_37_37"></a><a href="#FNanchor_37_37"><span class="label">[37]</span></a> Humboldt.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_38_38" id="Footnote_38_38"></a><a href="#FNanchor_38_38"><span class="label">[38]</span></a> Physical World, p. 105.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_39_39" id="Footnote_39_39"></a><a href="#FNanchor_39_39"><span class="label">[39]</span></a> Barrington and Beaufoy, p. 106, and Purchas, v. 3, -pp. 499, 500.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_40_40" id="Footnote_40_40"></a><a href="#FNanchor_40_40"><span class="label">[40]</span></a> 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.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_41_41" id="Footnote_41_41"></a><a href="#FNanchor_41_41"><span class="label">[41]</span></a> Keith on Globes, p. 144.—</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_42_42" id="Footnote_42_42"></a><a href="#FNanchor_42_42"><span class="label">[42]</span></a> Ibid, p. 149.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_43_43" id="Footnote_43_43"></a><a href="#FNanchor_43_43"><span class="label">[43]</span></a> Sir Isaac Newton, in his Principia, under prop. 16, -book 3, lays down the following proposition, viz: that -"<em>the heat of the sun is as the density of his rays, that is -reciprocally as the squares of the distances from the sun</em>." -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 -<i lang="la" xml:lang="la">sine qua non</i>, without which no light or heat would be -communicated, yet the <em>quantum</em> 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.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_44_44" id="Footnote_44_44"></a><a href="#FNanchor_44_44"><span class="label">[44]</span></a> I am indebted to an excellent Hebrew scholar for the -following: -</p> -<p> -<span class="smcap">Note.</span> The words תהו ובהו <i lang="he" xml:lang="he">Theoo</i> and <i lang="he" xml:lang="he">Beoo</i>, (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." -</p> -<p> -1. <i lang="he" xml:lang="he">Theoo</i>, the root, agreeably to the Hebrew grammar, -is found as a noun תה or תהה <i lang="he" xml:lang="he">The</i> or <i lang="he" xml:lang="he">Thee</i>, and, is rendered -<em>confusion</em>, loose, unconnected, without form, order, -or the like; and so well understood. -</p> -<p> -2. <i lang="he" xml:lang="he">Be-oo</i>, the root, is, according to the same rule, found in -בה—<i lang="he" xml:lang="he">Be</i>, (<i lang="he" xml:lang="he">Bethhey</i>) <em>hollow;</em> it occurs not only in this form -but— -</p> -<p> -1. As a noun בהו Beoo—Hollow, empty, having -nothing in it but air, filled only <i lang="la" xml:lang="la">vacuo aere</i>, with empty air, -as Lucan calls it, Lib. 5, line 94. -</p> -<p> -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. -</p> -<p> -3. As a noun fem: תבה <i lang="he" xml:lang="he">Thebe</i> in Reg: תבת Thebeth, -an ark, a hollow vessel, under 2d head of בב Beb. occurs -not as a verb in kab, but -</p> -<p> -1. As a <em>participial</em> noun, or participle in Nipth נבוב -Neboob, hollow, made hollow, &c. -</p> -<p> -2. It is applied spiritually, hollow, empty, vain. -</p> -<p> -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. -</p> -<p> -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 "<em>without form -and hollow</em>," or "<em>shapeless and hollow</em>."</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_45_45" id="Footnote_45_45"></a><a href="#FNanchor_45_45"><span class="label">[45]</span></a> 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.] -</p> -<p> -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 <em>crusts</em> or <em>shells</em>, 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."</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_46_46" id="Footnote_46_46"></a><a href="#FNanchor_46_46"><span class="label">[46]</span></a> 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.</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_47_47" id="Footnote_47_47"></a><a href="#FNanchor_47_47"><span class="label">[47]</span></a> <cite>From a London paper, under the head of</cite> -</p> -<p> -"<span class="smcap">Russian Discoveries.</span>—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."</p></div> - -<div class="footnote"> - -<p><a name="Footnote_48_48" id="Footnote_48_48"></a><a href="#FNanchor_48_48"><span class="label">[48]</span></a> Journal of the House of Representatives of Ohio; -session of 1823, '24—p. 224.</p></div></div> - -<div class="vert-spacer"></div> - -<div class="chapter"></div> -<div class="tnote"> -<p class="title">Transcriber's Notes</p> - -<p>Punctuation has been standardized.</p> - -<p>Some alternate spellings have been retained.</p> - -<p>Pg. iv: "faciliate" changed to "facilitate" (to facilitate its -progress).</p> - -<p>Pg. 39: "obedidience" changed to "obedience" (in obedience to certain -fixed laws).</p> - -<p>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).</p> - -<p>Pg. 57, 130: "occular" changed to "ocular" (positive ocular -demonstration) (admits of ocular demonstration).</p> - -<p>Pg. 62: "sometimes" changed to "some times" (at some times seven or -eight belts).</p> - -<p>Pg. 73: "appea" changed to "appear" (and appear again in great -numbers). Missing word "of" inserted (in the latter end of March).</p> - -<p>Pg. 76: (footnote) "Herne's" changed to "Hearne's" (Hearne's Journal).</p> - -<p>Pg. 83: (footnote) "Ross's" changed to "Ross'" (Ross' Voyage).</p> - -<p>Pg. 99: "Praire" changed to "Prairie" (in the neighbourhood of the -Little Prairie).</p> - -<p>Pg. 107: "maintainance" changed to "maintenance" (the maintenance and -support of organic life).</p> - -<p>Pg. 109: "plumet" changed to "plummet" (between the plummet and the -centre of gravity).</p> - -<p>Pg. 123: "Geogrophy" changed to "Geography" (to teach mankind Geology, -Geography, or Astronomy).</p> - -<p>Pg. 134: "cotemporaries" changed to "contemporaries" (above his -contemporaries).</p> - -<p>Pg. 151: "apparant" changed to "apparent" (beyond the apparent verge).</p> - -<p>Pg. 159: "catridges" changed to "cartridges" (discharged seventy rounds -of cartridges).</p> - -<p>Pg. 161: "Gallileo" changed to "Galileo" (patience and perseverance -of a Galileo). "cotemporary" changed to "contemporary" (contemporary -writer has remarked).</p> - -<p>Pg. 166: "buffetted" changed to "buffeted" (has been buffeted by the -ridicule).</p> - -</div> - - - - - - - - -<pre> - - - - - -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-h.htm or 54329-h.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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