Wheeling compiler. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [i.e. W. Va.]) 1829-1831, 1830-06-30

tJt "a AAaO tIu9f lCGuANn
lnexplicabIe, applied TO it the theory ofthc
motion of the seas by the melting of ices.
and resolved the problem without farther
difficulty. lie examined n chart Of the
Archipelago, made by the learned D'An-
vile. and there found that the mound which
bemmed in the Euupus, separated It also
from the extensive marshes Of Thessalla {:
that these marshes were more or less in
undated by the melting Of the ices of the
HIGH mountains o the Great Olympus, at
the base Of which they are situated. The
SUBMITS Of these mountains, formed ofev'
erastlng SHOWS, melted IN part, according
to the various aspects OF the sun. These
intermthng MEETINGS Of the SHOWS produce
the waters IN the mouth OF those caverns
which are disgOrged into the Euripus
THIS explcatIon is undoubtedly more rea-
sonable than the one cited by Spon, as
gwen by jesuit, who traced their cause
10 the influence of the moon, but who
frankly acknowledged that he knew moth
lng of the matter. A for ,he rocl, piar
ced with seven or eIghl enormous 0pea-
mgs, they are, without doubt, the coasa-
quence OF the currents which dag tncm oaJ
a. a period when tue rock had rot w.; be-
come hard. We see frequent examples of
this m the mouutaIus OF SWlizouaaG waee
rivers even easl.3h themselves 10 the
.earth, and forcing q cuauaei lough.uo
rocks, Use again d. q coas.cc-s9.a dis.
lance.
Our author docs not doub, rhe existence
of marine currents produced by 'ns d'sso.
luton of the polar ices He has0ot nest
tated to insert tim different journals III.
has not, by this consulted ms tranqu1tf,
persuaded as he Is that he attacks cs,ab
lshed opinion, rooted ~ The minds Of rtal-
Grant members Of tie bIgoted societies; bu.
he has looked more 10 the utility which
might result to shipWrecked mariners from
the success Of his experiments. lie advi-
sod them to put letters into bottles aud a.
bandon them TO the seas IN proper seasons.
Scarcely had he published tins counsel
when an Enghshman, leaving the bay Of
Cadlz for the East Indies, wishing to give
his sister a last evidence of his affection,
confded a bottle to the waves, which after
several months was thrown upon the coast
Of Normandy: here Il was discovered by
some fishermen, and, by them, placed in
the hands ofthe admraIyJudge OF the dis
trlct, who dIspatchedlt IN safety to IT'S ad.
dress. Several other letters have reached,
by these means, Gaudaioupe and even the
Isle of France, where they have been de-
posted IN the public archives. Doubtless
a great number have Peushed; the fragile
vehicles containing them have been dash
cd against the rocks.
The Minister of Marine in France took
this experiment into consideration. lie
ordered bottles to be made better adapted
to these ends, and gave them TO Captains
of ships TO make trials OF them IN their voy
ages: but the learned bodies, whose sys-
lens were deranged by these experiments,
turned the project INTO rldIcule, and did 1t
50 cffectuaIy that the Intentions, Of the
MIulstci were defeated Nevertheless, ifl
they had loved their fellow men, they
should have remembered that two reeds OF
an unknown species, thrown by the cur
rents on the Western Islands, discovered
to Columbus an unknown world
The author might have joined 20 facts
the authority Of several celebrated men,
who have approved this theory OF the seas;
but the names of tie most liiustroUs oo.-l
vIdUals have gwen SO much credit 70.
errors the most absurd, 'aa. be declined
the use of these names IA establishing 1.s
doctrines. However several Of these have.
gwen honorable testimonials is has favor
Thus the great Button, the distinguished
naturalist, who had already published tht.
the north pole was naylgable ~ It's suu
mer, and that passage to emma m.gH
be found there, when he read tins theory
replied to the queries Of his friends,
That the author might be, very easily,
correct"
A doajt from q man Of genius Is worth
more than the affirmation Of corps OF IL
norunts, who only believe III the faith oil
others; but when this doubt conradcts an
opinion which he himself has published al
then becomes a vertabe authority. Il
could add to the testimony Of buff that
of Lieut. Johnston, the companion ofCdpt
Vancouver, who observed another icyI
mediterranean sea 10 the north east of
Cahiornla; that of the Har Bontck who
sustained, in London, by ms writings
the truths which you have just heard; d
the Iesumonles OF a number Of other cele-
bra,ed seamen, Eoghsh, French 81 Dutch.
But time presses, let US hasten TO throw
rapid glance upon the use TO which man
kind may turn these observations, both ~
moral and physical points ofyiew.
The periodical melting OF the polar ices