THE EARTH'S

OBSERVATORY.

21All communications and enquiries respecting this Magazine and the teaching itupholds, and all -questions and matter for insertion, should be addressed toB.A.M.B., //, Gloucester Road, Kingston Hill.

" T H EE A R T H ' S "O B S E R V A T O R Y .

The Ed. does not necessarily endorse statements made under the headings ofEarth's Observatory," Letters, etc., unless signed Ed. The Earth.

*' Lady Blount wishes us to believe this earth of ours is ' an extended plane,on which men and sea are securely kept by great and permanent mountains ofice.' The Copernican theory has, however, lasted 400 years at least."—Man-chester Evening Chronicle.

T H E H E L I A C A L R I S I N G O F SIRIUS.
In Reply to M . C . and others, in the British Mechanic & World of Science.'*
11One thousand four hundred and sixty Julian years are in excess of 1,400 true
tropical years by 11 days; but 1,460 sidereal years are in excess of 1,460 true
tropical years by nearly 20 days. Therefore, at the end of the Sothic period,Sirius would rise heliacally some 8 or 9 days late, if counted by the Julian year ;but some 20 days late as reckoned by the actual seasons. The ninth part of
1,460 is 162. [Mr. Dimbleby may possibly have heard of these figures andthrown them into some confused statement.]
When we art dealing with ancient practices, the question i s : not "whatshould we have done with our present knowledge?"
Not even " w h at wemight naturally expect them to have done ? " But, " what, as a matter ot actual
fact, they did do ? "The heliacal rising of Sirius takes place for any given country once a year.
But the year so given is not a solar tropical year, but a sidereal year ; as compared with the tropical year it would throw the beginning of a year later by 1
day in about 70 years. It would not give a sidereal year, exactly at any time,
for the effect of precession would be to shift the declination of the star slowly,
and so to alter the position of its rising point.
But this variation would correct itself in a precessional period of 25,880 years !
at the end of which the heliacal rising of Sirius would take place on the same
day of the tropical year as at the beginning of the period.
The Egyptians, however, used a year of 365 days—J-day short of a Julianyear; so that in 72 years, or thereabouts, the heliacal rising of Sirius would
fall 18 + 1= 19 days later in the Egyptian common year.
The inundation of the Nile fell, of course, on the average, at the return of thesame epoch in the solar tropical year.
The .Egyptian common or ** vague" year, retreated backwards through thetropical year, one day in 4 years, completing its revolution i n 1460 Julian, or1461 " vague years.
The above information I regard as being absolutely reliable. It has been
handed to me from one of the most reliable authorities in the world, and comesfrom Greenwich Observatory.
MilThe

22

THE EARTH'S

OBSERVATORY.

" LIVEJESUS."FOR

By an Invalid.

Live f<9t Jesus—in thy youth,
Give to God thy life's best years,
It will save you many sorrows,
Many doubts, and many fears.

For his glory let H i m use you,'Tis for thee He pleads above.

Upe for Jesus—through the years,
As they meet you one by one,
You will need His grace and wisdom,
If you would life's race well run.
Live for Jesus—He who claims
A l l your service, all your love;
Composed during quiet moments.

Live for Jesus—when the shades
Of the eventide appear,
Let His light shine o'er your pathway,
Let H i m dry each falling tear.
Live for Jesus—for He paid
A l l our debt upon the cross,
Redeeming us with precious blood,
Not one soul heed suffer loss.
W I L L I A M J. YOUNG.
(Bedridden).

Extract from page 3 of " C H E M I S T R Y I N D A I L Y L I F E "By Dr. Kassar-Cohn, Professor in the University of Konigsberg ;translated by M . M . Pattison Muir, M . A . ,Fellow of Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge.
:" I f we consider a little, we shall find many other well established facts inthe domain of natural science which no one doubts, although these facts cannot
be demonstrated directly. For instance, everyone admits that the shape of theearth is that of a sphere, although no proof of this has yet been found that canbe grasped without much difficulty by lay minds."
In a further note he adds : " T h e fact that at sea the tops of the masts of an
approaching vessel are the first parts of her to be seen, is often adduced as thesimplest proof of the curvature of the earth's surface caused by the sphericalform of the earth. Although the Greeks and Romans often observed thephenomenon in question, yet they did not draw the conclusion that the earthis spherical; but among them were many clear-headed men. The alleged proof
is quite inconclusive of itself, and it came to the front only after the sphericalform of the earth had been established on the basts of strictly scientificinvestigations."

With deep gratitude I beg to express my sincere thanks to each one of myfriends who have been so kind as to encourage me by sending letters of congratulation regarding my photograph of the Old Bedford Canal. I should be
proud to publish them all, but it would be impossible to print more than thefollowing few extracts.
Colve Stone, N . E . June 20th, 1904.
Dear Lady Blount,—You have indeed acheived a triumph with the photo, atthe Old Bedford Canal.
Proof positive is at all times acceptable to the unprejudiced mind—though the prejudiced will no doubt read the account of theexperiment with a deep drawn sigh. Proof positive is the Truth, and that mustin the end prevail. Your persistent efforts in this cause (now crowned withunexampled success) are worthy of a public reward ; and it also adds a further
lustre to our ancient British motto:
Y Gwir yn erbyn y Byd** (The Truth
before the world).
Yours faithfully, M A R T H E O P H I L U S .
(Mr. Rev. Dr. Stevens) Archbishop of Caerleon; Caertrdla, etc.
and Chief Patriarch Free Prot. Ep. Ch. of Eng.
44

THE

EARTH'SOBSERVATORY.

23

H . speaks of your photograph as " a notable piece of work," and I agree with
him that it is an unparalleled achievement.—B.
Wh*t will the scientists say to your photograph ? Will it not put them in afix?—E.H.
York Mansions. 31 May.
Dear Lady Blount,—What a splendid number of The Earth (No.s 47 & 48).
Very valui ble. I should like one of the photos. Vou have performed a work
which is of national, not to say world-wide value.—E. W. B U L L I N G E R , D . D .
Dear Lady Blount,—Accept my thanks for your full explanation of the photos,
both of which will (figuratively) be wrapped up in lavender for future reference.
Such business satisfies me more than any food, raiment, or works of art. Just
imagine what effect it would have had on Parallax, Hampden, Carpenter, andothers of the old brigade to see such a demonstration. One thing we may be
sure of is, that it would have given them intense satisfaction sooner than theywill have it.

/ / is a glorious victory / — G R E V I L L E .

Dr. A'abone is very pleased to hear you were so successful in taking the photoof Bedford Canal.

L E T T E R S .

Dear Madam,—I am much interested in your Bedford Canal experiments,
The curvature of the earth, as you say, should be 24 feet. Now in Chambers'
Mathematical Tables, under the heading ** Height of apparent above true level,"the correction for refraction is given for the distance of six miles as 23 ft. 11 i n . ,which accounts for your observance of the light at a distance of six miles ! Can
you kindly explain this? And obligeYours very truly, P H I L L I P P. B R O W N .
[They should first prove that there is any refraction over a level canal before theytalk of the amount o f " correction " required for it. Nature does not needanv correction from men.—Ed.]

Dear Lady Blount,—In your last issue of The Earth, and from your remarksto some of my friends, you evidently appear to think that Mr. Middleton's ideas
respecting the positions of the continents of land is correct. Now may I ask
you what authority you have for your belief. Have M r . Middleton's plans been
printed in any other paper or papers but The Earth, and if so, will you please
give me the names and dates of such papers. W i l l you also kindly tell me i f
any geographical scientists have accepted Mr. Middleton's ideas as being possible? The Zetetics I have met say that distances increase south of the equator,— I refer to those who believe in your own theory, regarding which, by the way,I am, since your last lecture, at a loss what to think. I must own that I am
shaken somewhat in my former belief in **the whirling g l o b e " ! In fact itnever struck me that the globe theory could be wrong, before I knew vou.
t . E. D.

THE

24

EARTH'SOBSERVATORY,

From C A L D W E L L H A R P E R , to the E d . of The Earth.

June 9, 1904,

Dear Madam,—Thanks for Earth (Nos. 47-48). T h e diagram on p. 379,
showing that " the true area of the sun may be found i n the area of verticalsolar rays* is quite logical, but it presupposes that the earth is flat. Let us
therefore test this presupposition by seeing what it logically leads to. The
writer finds the sun is 32 miles,.or 50 kilometres, across. Its apparent diameteris '32 min. There are 21,600 -min. in a circle ; 32 is one 375th of 21,000; thatis, one 675th of a circle with spectator as centre, and radius reaching the sun
is 50 km. Therefore the whole circle is 675 times 50 k m . , or 33,750 km.
Therefore its radius is is 5,370 km. ; that is, the sun is "5,370 k m . arove theearth. Therefore as it is 23 degrees above the horizon of the Polar circle atnoon, when it is vertical over the equator, as on 21st March, the distance fromthe Polar Circle to the equator is 5,373 x cotangent 23 deg. = 5,370 x 23 deg. =12,350 kin. But ordinary maps, tested by thousands of journeys, show it tobe only about 7,500 km. Therefore the premises of the argument are'wrong,
and the earth is not a plane.
Also the sun's distance from an observer at the polar circle is/ l 2 , 3 5 0 3 + 5,3703 = 7*52,500,000 + 28,800,000 = 7181,300,000=13,500 km.
2^ times its distance at the equator. Therefore its apparent diameter should be
2 | times less, or 13 min. (The Zetetic theory that self-luminous bodies do notfollow the laws of perspective is an assumption contradicted by ordinary ob«ervation of bonfires, lamp-flames, etc.) But it is 32 min. Therefore, again, thepremises are wrong.
R E P L Y to the above from the Author of the pamphlet in question—
see the " Mutual Relations of the Sun and E a r t h , " by D r . R O B E R T S O N .
The writer of the above totally misapprehends the theory * that the actual
size of the sun corresponds with the geographical area of vertical solar rays."
That theory has no direct relation or reference either to the figure of the earth
or to the distance ofthe sun, but is based on two elementary axioms of Optrs.
—1st : that the rays of light given out by any self-luminous body proceed instraight lines in every direction, from every part of the luminous surface ; and2nd : that on any illuminated surface the shadow of any opaque object is always
projected away from the light.
4f

B E D F O R D L E V E L E X P E R I M E N T . — " The outlines of the flags wereplainly seen." I low could that be, if they were one behind another and allat the same height above a level canal, (a)Some globularists should have been secured to witness the experiments.
Was Mr. 'Clifton a globularLst? (b)C A L D W E L L HARPC/R.
[a) It would be possible to s/»e all the flags along the Bedford Canal, although in a line and at the same height, if the telescope he placet! a little
at one side-ju<t as you can see a long row of lamp posts o > the opposite sideof the street. If you want to prove the earth not a plane, you, should provethat" witer
not level,(6) Yes. S i s his letter in this issue.—Ed.

T H E , EAR*£tt's:

OBSERVATORY.

' R E P L Y t o !,..£.£>.—In reply tb,^e>bove letter sJ,beHeve'Chat M r . Middle,
ton is on the- right track regarding the continents-of the .earth*. A n d that they •ate situated upon the waters of the great deep differently to what is generallySupposed an4 taught in our. modernscuools by professors, is a conclusion, I
have Idng couie to, I do. not believe" that navigators err very much, if at all,in their knowledge of the distances they travel south of theequator ; and I haveno reason for thinking that they misrepresent distancesv They seem to be accurateenough in northern latitudes, so why should we doubt their power to measure
distances in southern seas ? . Certainly / do,not think it possible that, they can
traver miles and miles further than they think they <$o^ And it is equally impossible tliat hundreds of .thousands of navigators wilfully'and- continually holdtogether to-deceive us regarding distancss south of the.equator... Therefore,'I
came to the conclusion that the greatcontinents of land must be differently
s'tuated u p m the waters;to ac'ount for southern latitudes from our standpoint.
Mr. E . E» Middfeton cam? t o this conclusion 'many years-ago, and he published his own idets in his own. pamphlets. His plans have not, appeared in
hay other JMper, save' The Earth- Nor has any scientist or non-scientist everspoken to me about them:. \ have prod uced them entirely by. the leadings oftiy own judgment, because I thought them a step in the rigfit direction, andto say the least, very suggestive.
I regard the: one in this Issue as superior toany previous production, because it gives longitudes and-distances more satis-,factorily.
Bur longitude from- Greenwich only, if it be proved a feet, wouldcertainly be a veritable blow at the globe !
NMr. Maurice Graham writes : * Your notice - was included in' the album presented to H.-R. H . the Prince of Wales, and graciously accepted- by him. BeHeyi ng
that you would like to know this, I am writing to acquaint you with the fact."
iI tritst'that you" will not think it empty flattery when I say that I believe you
have been set apart for this special work, and that the Lord W I L L prosper it inyour hands ; my own experience has been among Working' men, but when youget. an honest thinking workman he does not accept one half the modern.scientists say, and with a few practical working points he soon begins to doubt
the globe theory. With sincere Christian wishes for your safety and guidance,
I remain, yours sincerely, E . -I iqitat congratulate you on your last No's. (47 & 48), hot only because of theexcellence of your articles, but also on account .of the great practical work whiclihas, been done by, you and those who kindly assisted you at the Bedford Lever,This is what we want. One ounce o£ fact is worth/a ton o f theory,, and theexperiments you have carried out with modem appliances cannot fail to impress
the general public that the present teaching is all awry.
V , A. W .

Accounts of Lectures, & c , given by the E d . at various ptaces, are held over
for a future issue.

The following Publications,some of which aresuitablefor distribution ?it meetings, etc., may be had fromLady Blount, 11, Gloucester Ifoafl, Kingston Hill, Surrey^
England;S.

(t.

Photograph of Bedford Level Canal proving that Water is Level
1 0
Bedford Level Experiment, with diagrarhs of photograph, and explanatory
remarks (a folded leaflet), per 100 copies
1 0
Diagram of the Suez Canal—100 miles level—with explanatory remarks(a folded teaflet), per 100 copies. „,.-....<.'
1 0
Diagram showing False Perspective (copied from Royal Reader, StandardV.), suitable for enclosing in letters; also letter cards of the same—per 100 2 0Celestial Phenomena (a pamphlet), each&Celestial Phenomena, and Strange Proofs of Globularity ; each
2Clarion Science versus God's Truth; eachi••• * 2The Mutual Relations of the Sun and Earth, The South Pole, etc. ; each
2Adrian Galilio ; with extra binding, 5/-; cloth, each,V
God's Coming .Kingdom (a letter booklet); per dozen
1 0
Letter Booklets.—The Lord's Day. Why? Gather. Cpimterfeit Coin.
per dozen 1 0
The Signs of Christ's Coming ; per 3 dozen* ^Questions and Answers on the Bible and Nature; each
Zetetic Questions, and Answers ;'each,1Homely Talks (soon ready); each*>v
•Zetetic Cosmogony {soon ready); each•* -6
A Number of Miscellaneous. Pieces, ,set to Music ; each•£yManyother . p a m p h l e t s ,e t c . , . a listo f w h i c h will be sen!

onapplication.

The Magnetic Nerve Ipvigorator C o . ,JONATHANNICHOLSON,

22, Budge Row, Cannon Street,LONDON,E.G.

Price of Appliances £ 1 1s., £ 2 2s., 4 £ 3 3s.
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