American telegraph. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1851-1851, 1851-05-19
AMERICAN TEL LEGR.APH
THE MOTION OF THE ,EARTH--EXTIN-
GUISHMENT OF VESUVIUS.
70 The Editors Of american Telegraph.

10 he EdstoTs Of the american Telegraph.
GEETLEMEE, In your paper of the 18th in
stant appeared communication signed by no
less an authority than that of Common Sense"
Who could Withstand such temptation to read
IT 4 80 1 read it. Now, gentlemen, how could it
happen you did not discover at once this sigma
ture to be a forgery 1t is true, that it is only
since very short time that I commenced to
understand English but Iflatter myself to un-
derstand enough of it to make out the meaning
of the words g Common Sense" At all times
and in all parts of the world instances may be
found ofpersons ignorant of natural philosophy,
and even unacquainted with the alphabet, who
nevertheless excel by their common sense; but
how in the United States, justly proud of gen
eral education, the communication alluded to
could have originated with common sense, is
at least above my comprehension. r@.
| was looking in vain for a reply to said exu-
berances of genius in your further publications.
There are two ways to account for such silence:
it might be self-esteem of the learned, thinking
to abase himself by noticing absurdities; but it
might be construed also as an approval, ac-
cording to the time-sacred rule, qui facet con-
sentire uidetur." feel deep interest in it. The
last construction might not prevail, especially if
it should happen that your sheet should find its
way into any foreign country.
| neither feel disposed nor able to write here
treatise on Natural Philosophy, nor could you
spare space enough to suit the mental powers
of your correspondent of the 18th instant but
one advice, although uncalled for, he might re-
ceive as good-heartedy as give it, to wit:
Not in the Capitol, but in the great hall Of
the Smithsonian Institution, unpfesumptuous
worshippers of the Almighty because hum
BILE students of the laws of motion as merciful
revelations of His eternal wisdom) win have be-
l,oh hla <;afao
ness the experiment in question, not unworthy
to be a pastime for higher order of beings
than man are-man proud and boasting Of his
wisdom only because of the narrow limits Of
his knowledge. Until that day, your cores
pondent of the 10Th instant keeping his incog-
nito as g Common Sense" might study from
any elementary book of Natural Philosophy
the rudiments of mechanics and astronomy, in
order to become ready and able, not to demon
strate the fallacy of the trial, but to compre-
hend its bearing. This shall prove for him the
only way to sign his communications lawfully
with /" Common Sense" or unblushingly with
his real name, if he should feel tempted ever
more to come forward again with any oracle of
his. ........ ...M
Bad luck likes to come in numbers. On the
very same page of your paper where the above
| communication declares one of the most beau
tiful triumphs of science :" a humbug" an in
nocent, because palpable, hoax is noticed as ar
earnest proposition. | refer to the article
90 Distinguishing the fire of Mount Vesuvius.
l read in some paper that this news originated
with Mr.. Mclaughlin, lately returned from
Europe. had the pleasure to know a gentle
man of this name in New York, inexhaustible
| in witty and spirited jokes | am not aware if
the same gentleman is meant by the papers, but
whoever originated the fun here or in the old
country, capital fun it was. Csc non zero
E ben troUato," indeed For man of so high
geological attainments as to see earnest in the
above, | venture to add: the blacksmith ex-
tinguishes his fire with bucketful of water,
but increases it by throwing the very same
water by little quantities into the blast. 1t is
not stated in the report referred to, whether the
water to be introduced into the crater shall be
in the first or in the second of the said proper
tons to the hearth Of the Vesuvius. Until this
be satisfactorily elucidated, | shall think it but
proper to postpone further considerations
Yours respectfully,
| J. Tt