The Sun.
London, England, 1862-09-18 00:00:00

THE FIGURE OF THE EARTH.

We have all been told at school that Sir I. New-
ton first proved the earth to be a spheroid gene-
rated by the revolution of an ellipse round its
minor axis, so that its figure is somewhat that of
an orange, depressed at the poles; the ratio of the
polar diameter to the equatorial one being as 229 to
230. Newton arrived at this conclusion, first, by
supposing that the same conditions which determined
a depression at the poles in Jupiter, must have ope-
rated equally on the earth; and secondly, by ima-
gining that originally the earth was but a fluid,
which assumed a spherical form just as a drop of
water does while falling. Admitting it then to be
fluid endowed with a motion of rotation round its
own axis, it was easy to conceive that its particles
furthest from the axis of rotation, viz., those near the
equator, Would be animated by a stronger centrifu-
gal force than those nearer the axis, viz., around the
poles. Hence, while the process of consolidation
was still incomplete, the sphere would bulge out
at the equator, and on the contrary remain
sensibly the same at the poles. Such, according
to Sir Isaac, was the cause of the depression ;
but brilliant as this theory is, like everything
emanating from so great a philosopher, we must
not forget that in science we do not seek brilliancy,
but truth, and we have therefore carefully perused
a volume just published, by Johannes Von Gum-
pach, entitled " The True Figure and Dimensions of
the Earth," in which the author refutes Newton's
theory, and endeavours to establish the startling pro-
position, that the earth, instead of being depressed,
is elongated at the poles,having, in fact, the shape of
a lemon. Our author finds it easy enough to cast
a doubt on Newton's theory by simply taking the
assumption of the earth's original fluidity for what
it is worth. What evidence have we indeed of the
existence of this original fluid state? What, if the
mass of the earth, instead of being fluid, was rigid
and solid ab initio? Geologists, indeed, assume
that the earth is still fluid in the centre, where an
intense heat is supposed to keep terrestrial matter
in a state of fusion; and what is one of the
arguments adduced in favour of this assumption !
Why, the existence of volcanoes! as if it were pos-
sible that the lava issuing from them could force
its way through its infinitesimal narrow channel
4,000 miles in length. If volcanos really communi-
cated with the centre of our globe, the sea would
inevitably rush into the craters of submarine vol-
canoes, penetrate into the very midst of the central
fire, be there instaneously transformed into steam,
and thereby cause an explosion of the whole globe,
like powder in a bomb-shell. This is admissible
from the mere fact of its not having yet occurred ;
and we are therefore forcibly reduced to embrace
the only remaining hypothesis—viz., that the fire
of volcanoes proceeds from subterranean cavities not
more than a few miles at most below the surface.
The assumed fluidity in the centre of our globe is,
therefore, a mere assertion, devoid of proof ; and a
fortiori Newton's hypothesis is more than doubtful.
But Mr. von Gumpach does not rest his arguments
on this ground, but proceeds to show mathemati-
cally. following calculations and measurements
made by others, that, the supposition of a depres-
sion at the poles being untenable, tho other, of
an elongation at the poles, is possibly true. Here
we must leave the reader to judge fur himself by
the perusal of the volumef since, from the very
nature of our Messenger, we are debarred from
entering upon polemical discussions.

The chief editors of the three Italian journals
the Opinion, the Ever°, and the Gazette de Turin, have
been condemned each to three days' imprisonment, and the
first to a fine of 50f., and the two latter of 20f., for an " in-
sult to the person of Napoleon HI. in having reproduced
the speech said to have been delivered by Garibaldi at the
Italian forum of Palermo."

ALPINE CLIMBING.-ALARMING

ACCIDENT.

A private letter, which we have received from
Chamounix, describes recent glacier adventures in
that neighbourhood :
Since the 6th inst., there has been, (in conse-
quence of the favourable change in the weather, a
rush of travellers—Russians, German, French,
English, and Americans—to this charming locality.
For a fortnight the weather has been most capri-
cious ; here, as in other parts of Switzerland, heat
and cold, sun and rain, have been most provokingly
coquetting with each other. However•, for a week
or ten days, the weather has been, with slight varia-
tions, beautifully fine, and the hotels and their de-
pendencies have consequently been most disagree-
ably crammed with tourists. Mont Blanc has looked
glorious and grand during the last week. In the
present season there have been twelve successful
ascents of the " Monarch of Mountains," without an 1
accident, In consequence, however, of a recent and
heavy fall of snow on the whole range of mountain
peaks, the members of the Alpine Club and other
adventurous and ambitious tourists have not thought
it prudent to attempt the summit of Mont Blanc.
A few days back, regardless of the fall of snow, two
plucky young gentlemen (sons of Dr. F. Winslow)
accompanied by guides, ventured to ascend the
mountain, but only succeeded in reaching the Grand
Mulets, returning to Chamounix late on the same
evening. Any further ascents of Mont Blanc on
that day would have been extremely dangerous, in
consequence of the great fall of snow that had taken
place on the previous night. An accident occurred
within the last week in this neighbourhood, which
providentially did not result in sad loss of valuable
life. Mr. Longman, the well known London pub-
lisher, was crossing with his son, F. W. Longman,
one of the glaciers between Chamoun'x and the Tete
Noire. Suddenly young Longman disappeared from
the group. An immediate and anxious search was
made for him. The guides were not long in disco-
vering that the unfortunate gentleman had fallen
down a deep crevasse. One of the guides being tied
by a rope was lowered into the crevasse, and on
reaching Mr. Longman he seized him by the collar
of his coat, and they were both pulled up a portion
of the way. The horror of his father can well be con-
ceived when he saw the guide come to the surface
of the ice alone. He was able to drag Mr. Longman
up a certain height, but in consequence of his great
weight he was obliged to let go his hold, Mr. Long-
man falling still deeper into the crevasse. A rope
and strap were then lowered to Mr. Longman, and
he was requested to place the latter round his body.
This, he replied, he was unable to do in consequence
of the benumbed state of his hands. The other and
stronger guide then descended by means of the rope
into the crevasse, and happily succeeded in bringing
Mr. Longman's son safe to the surface, very little if
at all injured. A fatal accident occurred to a youth
whilst crossing the Gemmi. The mule on which he
was riding slipped over the side of the road, and the
unhappy young man (a peasant's son) was hurled
down a frightful height, and dashed to pieces.
At Geneva the weather has been wet for nearly
three weeks. Notwithstanding the rain, all the
hotels have been crowded. At Zermatt for a short
period the weather has been favourable, and the
Ribble and Gorner Grat have had a succession of
visitors. At Thur and Interlaken the wet weather
has greatly interfered with the enjoyment of tra-
vellers. Many tourists are going into Italy, hoping
to run into fine weather, and to bask in warm and
sunny days. Very few Americans are travelling in
Switzerland this year, and nearly all of these are
Northerners. Among the present visitors at Cha-
mounix are Lord and tie Hon. Miss Stanley, Lord
Cranbourn and suite, Princess Catherine Droutskoy,
Lord Pelham, Count de Polbone (Turin), Lady
Rosslyn, Sir Patrick Keith Murray, &c.

LOSS OF THE 'STEAMER LEITH-SUSPENSION
OF THE MASTER.

The lengthened inquiry which has been held at
Edinburgh in this case terminated on Tuesday,
when the Court made the following report to the
Board of Trade :

"My Lords,—Pursuant to your lordships' direc-
tions, we, the undersigned, being two of her
Majesty's justices of the peace for the county of
Edinburgh, have made an official inquiry, as-
sisted by Captains Harris and Scott, into the
circumstances attending the loss of the screw
steamship Leith, which took place on a reef off the
Island of Oesel, in the Baltic, about 6 p.m. on
the 7th of July last, and we have now the honour
to report that the Leith was a screw steamship,
built at Leith in April of this present year,
and was registered at the port of Leith as being
of the burthen of 1,311 gross tonnage. She was
owned by R R. Macgregor, and was commanded
on the voyage by John Lindsay, who held a certifi-
cate of service, dated February 6,1851. She carried
a general cargo, principally of iron and machinery,
was well found and properly equipped, and manned
with a crew of 35 persons, all told. She carried
seven passengers. The Leith left this port on the
2d July last, bound to Cronstadt. Nothing of any
importance occurred till after passing Bornholm on
the morning of the 6th July last, shortly after which
a thick fog seems to have settled down on the ship,
and so continued, with slight intervals of partial
clearing, till the ship was wrecked. During this
thick and dirty weather it appears no precautions
were made to verify the course made good by sound-
ings, neither were the latter ever taken, nor the
speed of the vessel, which was about 81 knots an
hour, ever slackened, although at times the fog
would appear to have been very thick. At 5 p.m.
on Monday, the 7th July, the first true soundings
appear to have been obtained in 18 fathoms water.
The master, at this time, states that he supposed
these soundings to have been on a small bank in the
channel, lying between Gothland and Oesel, which,
had it been so, he admits would have placed him 20
miles to the southward of his supposed course, and
which, as this bank is very small, might readily
have been verified by another and immediate cast of
the lead. Nevertheless, the ship was kept on at
full speed for three-quarters of an hour, when, the
water appearing unusually smooth, it was only then
deemed prudent to use the lead. A cast was taken,
and only five fathoms found. Under these circum-
stances, it appears to us that the most prudent
course would have been to have backed astern,
whereas the concurrent testimony of all the engi-
neers shows the vessel was put on full speed. As
might have been expected, she shortly afterwards
struck. The engines were reversed, and there is
reason to believe that the ship came off, and
orders were given to go on again full speed. In a
short time she struck again, and became fixed, and
though many and apparently laudable exertions
were used, they proved fruitless, and the vessel ul-
timately became a total wreck. Fortunately no
lives were lest. At 2 a.m. of the Bth July the mas-
ter left the shin with the passengers, taking with
him his lug., age—a line of conduct which we con-
sider very reprehensible, as we conceive there
was no real necessity for his leaving his ship at
that time, as the second mate was fully competent
to land the passengers in safety, and might have
obtained assistance as readily as the master. About
half-past 5 a.m. of the Btt, finding nothing more
could be done for the preservation of the ship, the
sea then breaking over her, and the holds, with the
exception of the engine-loom, full of water, the
chief mate and the remainder of the crew took to
their boats, and reached the small island of Lam-
land in safety. It appears they saved a part of their
effects, but the logbook is stated to have been lost.
This circumstance has caused us some difficulty in
reconciling the courses said to have been steered,
which are only given from memory, and cannot be
relied on with accuracy, considering
very great
the time which has elapsed since the disaster. Re-
viewing all the circumstances antecedent to the
wreck, we have come to the conclusion that the
master showed a great want of prudence and care
in not resorting to the use of the lead when the
thick weather occurred, and neglecting the ordi-
nary precaution of slowing the speed of his vessel
in foggy weather, it being in evidence that two
hours after the loss of the vessel the weather cleared
up. We are therefore of opinion that the vessel
was lost by default of John Lindsay, her master.
We have accordingly, with the full concurrence of
both our assessors, sentenced the said John Lind-

say to have his present certificate of service cancel-
led from this date for one year, at the expiration of
which time he shall be permitted to apply to the
Board of Trade for certificate of competency.—We
have the honour to be, my Lords, your very obe-
dient servants,

" WILLIAM STEEDMAN, J.P.
" JAMES WATT, J.P.
"We concur in the above report, HY. HARRIS,
ROBT. SCOTT, nautical assessors."