Washington sentinel. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1853-1855, 1854-09-02
4oeaI am 9srsonal.


40tal AMI Ysrsonal.
Predictions OF the Weather-At meeting
of a Committee Of "ihe American Association for
the Advancement Of Science" held in this city in
MAY last, il was resolved that Mr.. Bassell's the
\ DRY of storms should be tested by its power in pre-
dieting the weather in different latitudes; and
that gentleman was requested 10 prepare such
predictions for Cambridge, Mass, Washington, D.
c., and Charleston, s c. TO be distributed TO suita-
BILE observers, who should compare the weather
with the predictions, and report TO the Chairman
of the Committee, which consists OF Professors
Henry and Bache, Lieut.. M. F. Maury, Professors
B. PIERCE, A. Guyot aud Joseph Lowering, DR.. T.
R. Beck, w. C. Red6eld, Esq, Dr. Robert Hare,
Professors j. F. Frazer, Lewis r. Gibbs John LIE
Conte and DIR. E. H. Barton.
As we learn from the pamphlet on this subject,
(of which some gentleman engaged in the Smith
sonan Institution has sent us copy) the theory
contends that
"The existence Of an universal mponderable
medium, possessing great SPECIFIC calorlc and In
erta, and subject 10 all the laws OF matter and mo-
ton, (gravitalion excepted) is proved by the de-
termination of the motions OF series OF eddies or
worthless in the medium, arising from the fact, that
| the centre of the earth is not concident with the
| axis Of the ethereal vortex surrounding il. That
the axis Of the vortextls inclined TO the earths
| axis, and consequently these vorlices, following
the moon in right ascension, are describing orbits
| whose apogees are variously situated, and thus
are caused TO circulate over the earth's surface
between the average limits OF To- and 500 IN both
| hemispheres, exempting both The poles and the
equator from the disastrous presence OF the hurrl-
cane The theory further contends that all storms
| and atmospheric commotions are primarily due 10
the passages of these worthless, and that not sin
gle storm has ever occurred, Of which sufficient
details were recorded to enable me to interpret its
| aspects, that contradicted the theory.
The predictions for Washington extend through
out the present month. If that for the fifth instant
be realized, we shall indeed rejoice: Overcast,
raining" Thirteenth "wnd northeast, raining
early; sixteenth, "rain at night" nineteenth,
cloudy and rainy" These are only few of the
phases, and assuredly the more refreshing ones,
in anticipation.
The author, however says his predictions are
not put forth as positively worthy of being relied
on, but rather for the navigator to compare with
observation. This will in his opinion, ultimately
result in such action as will enable him 10 make
the theory useful and reliable. Much, he remarks,
remains to be done; but what has been done
proves tue pOsslptHy VI ultimately pcihS ooio "
calculate the winds and storms with certainty.
Equestrian Performance Yesterday after.
noon, two beautiful horses, attached 10 light car
rage, ran at full speed from before the General
Post Office Department down street, grazing an
iron lamp-post on their way thence into Ninth,
towards the canal. But when they reached d
street, they made an effort TO wheel TO the right.
If they had succeeded in this, they would doubt
less have fallen into the ditch where workmen are
engaged in constructing branch sewer. The
driver, calm and determined black man, seeing
his danger in that quarter made a successful ef-
fort to avert it, and, by skiful management of
the reins, he turned the animals in the opposite
direction, when they stumbled over large collec-
ton of bricks at the southwest corner, and struck
against an upright Of scaffold splintering, by
this movement, the tongue Of the vehicle, and
swapping the cross-siay. The driver now calmly
got out of the carriage, and detached his horses,
preparatory TO repair of damages. The proceed
ings were in the highest degree exciting. The
spectators were more alarmed for the drivers
safety than he was himse IT, The animals and car
riage are the property of Mr.. John Dufef, who
may at least boast Of "fast horses" judging from
the equestrian performances of yesterday AFTER
noon.