The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-12-28

Lieut.. nasry's Lecture on the Paths Of the
Sea
This accomplished and highly respectable gentle
man delivered an interesting lecture night before
last, upon "The Paths of the Sea- report Of
which was published several days since in the
HERALD.
Much Of the matter laid before the audience except
descriptions Of the climate and physical geography
In various parts Of the world which he had visited
in person, was more or less a repetition Of the sub
stance Of his previous lecture delivered in Brooklyn
and published in the HERALD.
A considerable portion of his discourse consisted
OF extracts from his Physical Geography Of the
Sea-
One thing was uppermost in all his views, and
that his enthusiastic belief in the ultimate sub
marine telegraphfc communication all over the
world and across the Atlantic in particular.
II bis intimate knowledge Of electricity, however,
Was equal TO his enthusiasm, he would probably
cribe greater influence to Its action currents.
both OF the and Of the air. Its effects in relation
70 the changes and mutations Of physical geogra-
ply are universal and never ceasing. Again, the
existence OF q plateau or ridge Of land 10 the At.
lantic, stretching In a northeast line from New
foundland towards Ireland, was long inferred, be-
fore Lieutenant Maury or bis assistants confirmed
the fact by soundings Sea captains discovered a
difference in the color Of the water, and other ind
cations Of diminished depth. Again, on the lime
stone praries Of Illinois and Iowa, in latitude Al
ceg. AZ min, we meet with what the French termed,
les rochss rranfes, wandesng rocks, composed OF
pure granite, OF large sire, and distant perhaps fro
500 TO 1000 miles or more, from any rocks OF
similar character to the north OF them.
The question IL, how were these immense boul
ders transported to their present position
IL Is probable theory that these praiies were at
time covered by the sea- aud that these immense
rocks were carried thther by icebergs from polar
al I'm ~ hap fho la Ind
they deposited these rocks with other materials,
and helped to form the great plateau Of that
region.
The limestone OF the West Ia found In many
places to be composed Of the same species OF sea
shells which are found at the present time on the
Atlantic coast and shores 81 the Gulf Of Mexico. II
10 probable that the telegraph plateau in the At
Thousands of years ice elos and icebergs IRON the
polar regions have been melted within the latitude
Of this plateau, by the Gulf Stream, and made
while the cold water brought with them
and surrounding them has caused the Gulf Stream
water also precipitabe In materials held in solu
ton; and hence the action Of both agencies has
been TO build up this immense sca ridge, and
which, In some millions of years hence, may be-
come q PRAIRIE with is "ies roches erraates.n
Such rocks may exist on this plateau withou the
power Of detection by Lieut.. Brookes sounding APP
paratus, bee suse, In reaching them the ball would
glance to one side or the other OF them.
The course Of this plateau, from southwest 10
northeast, fsvors this theory OF its formation be
cause Its general direction corresponds with the
climate of the ladtudes through which IL passes.
The coast of Ireland though further north, Is more
temperate, and the Latitude OF Newfoundland the
first half Of the sea.
Lieut.. Maury considered that the bottom OF the
Pacific was highly favorable for the submerging OF
q submarine teleer and imagined that the time
might arrive when Japan and China might be put
in teegraphic communication ~ith the west coast Of
South America, and with California. The time
would come when India would be connected hy tele-
graph one side with China, and on the other with
London, and the lat or being once in communica.
fion with this continent, line from California TO
the States would put Riidle round about the
earth. Thus, he might have added, realizing the
declaration put In the mouth Of Puck, by Shak.
spere-
will put sirdls round
About The earth In forty minutes.
In other words with such n congeries OF wires Il
might not be impossible 70 send q message round
the world In less than forty minutes.
Lieutenant Maury has snccee 1ed in establishing
his fsme on solid basis, and we think he would
have 30 laboriousiy and diligently worked 10 assIst
him in the observation and collection OF facts His
illusions o. the services OF Lieut.. Bergman in =
rather dsparagng sense, were III timed In public
lecture, which, however, we are glad 20 Gee that
meriiorous officer has set right
Lieut. Maury n q fine lecturer. His language Il \
clear and well chosen, and be illustrates mia sube
with much beauty and force. HIS. remarks oftsp
elected decided applause. Ills discourse showed
that his head and feelings were strongly enlisted
In bis elevating pursuits. whicb promise great
practical good and cannot fail TO add 10 his lsms
pn1 the population u IL Seal-iy.