Northern Times.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1859-11-26 00:00:00

THE LAW OF STORMS.

This highly interesting and important subject,
on which the minds of scientific and nautical
men have been put. on the qui rive by the late
numerous shipwrecks, and particularly by the
melancholy fate of the Royal Charter, was ably
treated in a lecture on Thursday evening, at the
National Schools, Oxton, by T. Dobson, Esq.,
8.A., head master of the frigate Conway. The
attention of Mr. Dobson has, for a great number
of years been directed to the observation of
meteorological phenomena. He has thus amassed
an amount of information, and become possessed
of data which proves almost to demonstration
that the theories of Reid and other eminent
meteorologists are uncontrovertable.
The school-room was crowded—every avail-
able seat was occupied, while the space be-
tween the rows barely afforded standing room to
late arrivals. The audience was highly respect-
able, consisting almost entirely of the elite of the
society in the neighbourhood.
The lecture was illustrated by numerous dia-
grams, showing the usual course of storms in
both hemispheres, the comparative force of
winds, and the mode in which they travelled.
JAMES BEAZLEY, Esq., who occupied the chair,
in a few appropriate remarks introduced the
lecturer, who commenced by saying that a lec-
turer to be successful ought to combine the
useful with the agreeable ; but he was afraid
he would not be able to say anything very
agreeable on such a subject as storms. In
order to make himself understood it would be
necessary to make a few remarks .on the
normal condition of the atmosphere, which it was
almost unnecessary to state was about 45 miles in
height; storms, consequently, from the superin-
cumbent pressure are most violent within three
miles of the earth. But how does wind arise ?
If a large fire be kindled in a room, when the air
becomes heated, and consequently rarified, it
ascends and makes its escape by the chimney,
while at every keyhole, and, at every open space,
streams of bold air are rushing to supply its place.
Just in the same way are ordinary winds caused.
The great heat at the equator, which
may be likened to a great furnace, heats
and. rarifies the air, causing it to ascend, while
cold* air rushes in from every quarter, thus,
producing those winds which blow for long
periods in one direction, and known as
trade winds. That was the normal state, with
which the storms of which he had to speak had
nothing to do. In treating of them he would
merely state the results which had been arrived
at by such eminent men as Reid, who considered
the circular theory to be now established beyond
a doubt ; that is to say, they held that all great
storms moved in eddies, the same as an eddy in
water, and, that they all arose near the equator.
In the northern hemisphere they move in a
direction opposite to, while in the southern hemi-
sphere they take the same direction as, the hands
of a watch. Opinions, the most erroneous, have
been formed regarding storms, arising from obser-
vations taken on land only, whereas it is
only at sea they retain their normal char-
acter, and consequently can be properly studied ;
whenever they strike land they become broken
up, and lose their normal condition. The lecturer
here pointed out on a chart the course of the great
storm of 1828, which arose on the northern coast
of the South American Continent, and travelled
in a north-easterly direction till it struck on the
shores of Great Britian. The course of this he
believed to be identical with that.on the 25th and
26th October last, in which the Royal Charter was
lost. When this subject was first started, many
theories were in vogue. One was that all great
storms travelledto the westward, but this was now
found to be fallacious. In the Northern Hemis-
phere the Chinese typhoons all travel westward,
and the hurricanes prevalent in the Bay of Bengal.
In the South Pacific, again, there is a class whose
onward motion is to the east, which is an exception
to the general law of cyclones. In the South
Atlantic these storms are not met with. It has
been observed that the focus of all great storms
is also a volcanic focus. It will at once be seen
to be so (pointing to the diagram already alluded
to), as the part of the world in which this storm
arose, along the northern shore of South America
and the West India Islands, is well known to be
an active volcanic region. Another law is cer-
tainly general, that they travel towards
the Poles, while it is a recognised fact that
they always move from the Equator. Mr.
Dobson here proceeded to illustrate some of
the phenomena connected with the storm in which
the Royal Charter was wrecked.. He did so by a
series of diagrams, which showed the comparative
force of the wind, the sudden and apparently un-
accountable changes in its direction, and the varia-
tions of the mercury in the barometer during the
days and within the circle of that hurricane.
On Tuesday, the 25th, there was almost a
dead calm, and any slight wind there was,
according to the registry at Liverpool Obser-
vatory, at 11 o'clock, was from the S.E. By
two o'clock the same day it had changed
to east. At four o'clock on Wednesday. morn-
ing its direction was from the N.E., at which
time, it will be remembered, the doomed ship
was thumping with terrible violence on the reef.
By ten o'clock the same day it was due N., and
at two in the afternoon, it had whirled round to
the N.W. Now, he was wholly unable to account
for those changes, apparently so capricious, by
any other theory than that which he had already
mentioned, viz., that wind always moves in
eddies. He then traced the motion of the wind
on a diagram of concentric circles representing
an eddy, and showed how entirely the above-
mentioned changes in the direction of the wind
tallied with it in every particular. The dead
calm of Tuesday which proceeded the hurricane,
resulted from the fact that we were in the centre
of the eddy; for, however strange it might seem,
-there was always a space in the middle totally
unaffected. It is easy to see how the captain
Of the ship might be misled by this fact,
for' nothing can prove more dangerous or
so readily take a ship at a disadvantage.
The rapid changes remarked in the barometer
could only be explained by the fact that all eddies,
whether of air or water, in conformity with the
law of centrifugal force, had a tendency to throw
the air or water from the centre. It was thus
plain that on the edge of a storm the air was
denser and the mercury rose in the glass. As the
storm proceeded on its course, or as the ship neared
its centre, the air, in accordance with the law alluded
to, is always becoming- lighter ; hence the mer-
cury falls,' till the lull of the centre is reachecli.„
Which being crossed, the• same, phenomena is
observed, only in the central,' way. 'These facts
received confirmation from close and accurate ob-
servationsduring the storm on the 25th and 26th
of October, and which he considered placed beyond
all controversy, the theory he had explained.
Many physical manifestations had also taken
place, which strengthen and establish the hy-
pothesis of the intimate connection between vol-
canic action, and great tempests. He had a
letter from a friend, the captain of a ship which
suffered. severely in this. storm, some time before
it reached our shores ; and the 'variations of
the wind, as described by him, furnish additional
evidence in proof of -the circular motion of the
wind, as they also in all points agree with the
motion of the wind as traced in the diagram.
He has not: yet sufficient data, but when he can
procure the log-boOks of about twenty other
ships, he hopes to be able to trace this, storm to
its source, and prove that it followed a route
almost identical with that great tempest to which
he alluded in the beginning of his lecture. Mr.
Dobson concluded his lecture by describing how
storms affected miners, and explained the reason
of the prevalence of explosions in mines during

the time they are raging. He attributed it to the
fact that they impede the 'ventilation of mines, and
thus favoured the accumulation of noxious gases.
During the late storm an explosion occurred at
Newcastle, he had heard of no other, but, he did
not doubt, when he had time to inquire, he would
find that a great many had taken place. Having
thus given a general outline of the law of storms
and some of the interesting phenomena accom-
panying them, he would not trespass further on
the time of the meeting, but would conclude by
thanking them for their kind attention on so dry
a subject. (Applause.) -
The Rev. W. F. TATTERSALL, incumbent of
Oxton, proposed, and Mr. S. RATUBONE seconded,
a vote of thanks to the lecturer, Which was carried
with great cordiality.
A similar tribute was offered to the chairman
for his kindness in taking the chair on that occa-
sion. _ _

This terminated the proceedings of the meeting.

COUNTY COURT. v
- .ESTERDAY.

(Before W. A. HULTON, Esq., Judge.)
CROSSLEY AND OTHERS V. HORSLEY.—The plaintiffs
in this case were Richard Crossley and a number of
other persons, and the defendant was Howard Horsley,
of 28, Chapel-walks, a warehouse keeper. The case
had been previously before the court in another form,
and it now came up for re-hearing on the main point of
the issue. The defendant was sued for a sum of £ll 65.,
which was alleged to be the amount due as his contri-
bution to the loss sustained upon certain property in
Brook-street, Birkenhead, which has been paid by the
plaintiffs, who were jointly interested with the defendant
and others in the property. Mr. Deighton, barrister,
instructed by Messrs. Dodge and Wynne, appeared for
the plaintiffs, and Mr. Blackhurst conducted the case
on behalf of the defendant.—Mr. Deighton put in
various documents, including the mortgage _ deed
and the trust deed; and one of the plaintiffs,
Mr. Crossley, gave evidence that the property in
question was purchased for £1,160, in 50 equal shares ;
the £525 due to the mortgagee was paid by him on the
part of the various owners, that a further sum of £4O
was expended on account of interest, and that the de-
fendant had refused to pay his proportion of these ex-
penses. In cross-examination, he admitted that he had
not consulted the defendant before making the pay-
ments in question. Several legal points were raised ;
and Mr. Blackhurst put in for the defence a certificate of
bankruptcy, dated February, 1850, subsequent to the
execution of the mortgage, urging that the present
claim might have been made at that time on the estate.
Mr. Deighton, on the other hand, contended that there was
no debt to prove at that time, although the liability
existed. His Honour ruled that the defendant was
liable to the plaintiff, who was one of seven suitors,
only to the extent of one-seventh of the fiftieth part of
the expenses incurred. Upon the application of Mr.
Deighton, his Honour agreed to strike out the names
of all the plaintiffs, except Mr. Crossley, and to give
that gentleman a verdict for the seventh of the sum
claimed—£l 12s.

THE BED-BIIG AND FLEA.—Thell• immediate extuTation by
Greer's Patent Anti-Vermin Lotion, 3d., 6d., and Is., at the
Anti-Vermin Office, 49, Brownlow-hill.

EXTRAORDINARY AND USEFUL INYBNTlON.—Therfrifl nothing
that housewives complain of with greater truthfulness than
the breaking of some favourite piece of glass, valuable china,
or earthenware. In hundreds of cases such thing Go cannot be
matched, and of course cannot be mended. The latter want
has been obviated by an extraordinary and effective invention,
by Mr. Adshead, of Derby Pottery, near Derby. It is a cement
that may be said to heal m a perfect manner, all cracks and
breaks in the articles spoken of, and not only iti these, but in
marble, alabaster, &c. The benefit of this article need not be
dwelt on. We have seen some of its effects at Mr. Hall's, our
neighbour's, ani the glass that has been cemented by it is
stronger in that part than in any other. The article is very
cheap, and no house can Ise long without it. Mr. Hall is the
agent for its sale in Liverpool, and all interested can judge for
themselves by looking in at his establishment. Agent for
Liverpool, E. T. Hall, 23, South John-street. Sold in bottles,
Is. each .or sent free on receipt of sixteen postage stamps.
N.R.—None are genuine except bearing tke signature, " E. T,
Hall. •

Mawdsley and Son can now supply the new and
popular Game of Cards, St. George and the Dragon,
having just received their new patterns. 4, Castle-
street. d 22

Sevoral public bodies and societies connected with
the Highlands have memorialised the Scotch Univer-
sities commissioners to take the necessary steps for insti-
tuting and endowing Celtic professorships in some or
all of the Scotch Universities.
A letter from Moelfra, dated Tuesday, says :—" Som-
thirty-nine bodies have been found since Sunday morn
ing, of which the following only can be or have been
identified :—Francis F. Hutton, saloon passenger, F.
Raiford, passenger, David Bell, as believed from a re-
ceipt for a re°istered letter found upon his person
(‘ to William Richardson from David Bell,') Anthony
Belt, Captain James Morris, Mrs. Norman, Dr. Hatch,
Mr. Edwin Fowler (at Red-wharf,) and Mr. M. W,
Pitcher, at Anilwch."
HOLLOWAY'S OINTMENT AND PlLLS.—Anxiety is the
greatest obstacle to human happiness ; the prudent pride
themselves on adopting measures for avoiding it : they
insure their houses and ships, and the still more thought-
ful assure their lives : yet what is life without health ?
Can pain and enjoyment dwell harmoniously together?
The wisest man secures his own well-being, and in Hollo-
way's remedies finds a perfect and indisputable policy of
assurance against most of the diseases by which humanity
is assailed. These preparations ward off many an attack
that would, without them, leave desolation in its track,
and hurry countless victims to the grave.
STATISTICS OF MALTA.—According to the latest re-
turns, the area of Malta was 115 square miles (Gozo in-
clusive), and the population 140,303, of whom 134,157
were civilians, including 131,962 Maltese and 1,111
British residents. The births average 4,500 a year, the
deaths 3,000, and the marriages 900 to 1,000. 36
schools, attended by 5,507 scholars, testify to the state
of education in the island. The revenue and expendi-
ture were £132,682, against £134,443. Import duties,
land revenues, and rents supply the chief items of re-
venue. At the end of 1857 186 vessels, of 31,680 tons,
belonged to Malta, and in that year 10 .of 2,012 tons
were built ; 2,856 hips of 432,996. tons entered inwards
in that year, and 2,872 of 431,293 tons cleared out.
The British and Sicilian vessels take the largest share
of the trade. The imports (only those liable to duty
being included) were worth £2,361,046, and the
exports, £1,850,872. England, France, Spain, and
Tuscany are the best customers, while in the import
(with Malta) trade England figures for £19,131 only,
Russia for £876,811, the Two Sicilics for £197,211,
Turkey for £648,367, and Egypt for £422,416. Malta
exported in 1857 496,308 saline of grain, 159,638
saline of Indian corn, 244,103 saline of barley„ .27,990
caffisi of oil, 8,934 saline of pulse, 11,324 barili of spirits,
a,,nidnfelr4io,o?l,6stuffbar;ili34o,fs7 wine,
acres
o f classedland
ds
per
a.
epwreeOrileobgu.at le s,
under, it is)crops
in Malta, 9,744 in Gozo, and 83 in Comino. The. pro-
duce of wheat in Malta was 19,800 qrs., and the price in
1857 was 445. to 705. per qr.—rather a wide margin,
9Bese-f24adn.dpemr
lubt.tonteaf
and
ntr3casdhn. fetched
tobacco,
bu,
g7aBcasedr.
t,4oa n1415d54.
-64d8. d perpe
rl
gallon;
0;
;cmwobffeiesneeteeirig
labour2lss6sdd: fetchedp perPrgallongallon;
6d . to 2s . , and predial Bd. per diem.

IMPROVEMENT IN GENTLEMEN'S HATS.
Liverpool, April 15, 18“.
Commander
a Messrs. KINNEAR and SIMPSON, St. George's-crescent.
o.7n.wstxx;:—The itat-yerrintdines-since-I pro-
nounce the most easy and comfortable Hat I have ever pre-
viously worn—in fact, it is a luxury to put on and take off the
head.— I am, Gentlemen, yours truly,
Bootle, April 20, 18,59.
Dieters. KINNEAR and Snersox, Hatters,
St. George's-crescent,
GENTLEMF.N,—The Hat you made for me fits me better, and
is more comfortable, than any new Hat I have ever had or
worn prior to this, and I wish you success with your new
invention.---Yours
letterion.-- was accompanied
-Yourstruly,(Sl (Signed,)
a pi,esen
_ . Tvery rick
and-beautiful otter skin.

Messrs. KINNSAIt AND SIMPSON,
DEAN SIRS,—I have great pleasure in bearing my teatimmY
windy weather it holds comfortably and firmly
to the comfort Afforded me by your improved Hat, and in
Goree Piazzas, Liverpool, April 28, 1859.
Yours truly,
yement m the bead-lining
mMees :Is.
everyK tNx ANDzrtenspe
0t
.. --- ~ to the head.
Lancaster, June 30, 180.
S'ml"GN
Liverpool.
bpeulg.bire.".....syuroeuyrir
faiththa-t
GE.MTLEMKN,---I bAve, much ploqure in-informing you that
the Hat which I received from you through Mr. -- satisfies
con-
venient Hats ever yet proTdhuecei;;Pr°
have
abneden,,reDceAivLedE-bsyT:fEessErsT:
be seen at their shops,
renders it, in nay opini,coownniimu,tho:nnEeduitomfpethroooeum: oostthceorsToinrtabrelefeanrendceoe nto-
it
flnlanyk,c caobnofivdeeniteltyterrse
&meson's EASY-Frrrniancur
InsraacyE,
,Kinnears.ancidESiomitpGssolis.,