The western Democrat. [volume] (Charlotte, N.C.) 1852-1870, 1857-03-31
THE COMET cArAsrRopHE.

brated preacher in Europe, predicts that
this world of ours is to be DESTROYED by a
Comet in June next. Ii there is no way to
postpone the smash-up that would certain
iy take place in the event of the fiery plan
ct coming in contact with terra firma, it
becomes our duty to suggest means Of
escape. In the first place, therefore, we
must enter into calculation of the proba-
BILE magnitude of this expected and unwel-
come visitor and also discover the track it
is likely to take in its peregrenations.
We learn from the books that the heads
or nuclei of comets range in diameter from
33 to 4284 miles, and possess tails of enor-
nous length, that of 1s43 being 100000
600 miles in length-the smallest appeared
in 1744 with respectable tail, it being
only 35,OOo,0OO miles. But it stands to
reason and common sense that the comet
of 1857 will not be one of your small az
fairs, for this is an age of improvement and
extensions, and we therefore calculate
that it will have head about 600 miles in
diameter from the top of the pate to the
lower jaw, shaped something like that of a
catfish, with tail two hundred millions
of miles long, which, as it passes along will
twitch from right to left, sweeping off a
surface twice the size of its head.
The velocity of comets must also receive
consideration, as a mistake about their
speed might prove fatal to all the inhabi-
of western Carolina. Their velocity is truly
wonderful-their motions are accelerated
as they approach, and retarded as they re-
cede from the sun. We suppose the comet
in June will travel about one million miles
per hour-according to the progressive age
it ought to do that much at least-and if it
starts from the far-distant north and takes
a southern direction, when it reaches the
State of Maine the telegraph can warn us
back-woods people so that we can be on
the look out.
We beg permission to differ with Doctor
Cummings in regard to the whole world
being destroyed; eminent astronomers have
der. onstrated that there is only one I'M
favorable chance in two hundred and eighty
millions. We think the comet will only
destroy the surface it strikes. Surprising
its first collision in the United States will
be in Maine, we contemplate destruction
of two-thirds of the inhabitants Of that State,
which will be no great loss to the country
as they have become abolitionized, and
their presence can be dispensed with. After
sweeping off a large portion of New York,
(Which we hope will include the man who
originated know-nothingism,) its course
will be Decline for North Carolina, strik-
ino the old State on its weakest side, about
40 miles east of the Blue Ridge, burning
up everything in its track and scorching
things that escape, until it reaches the
Yadkin River, when its lower extremities
will be considerably cooled by the waters
of that noble stream. Our friends in the
east will see that by moving further west
they may avoid their fiery enemy.
1t is supposed that the comets heat will
be increased as it passes through our sister
State of South Carolina, but as our neigh
bors are known to be "fre- eaters" the
damage will not be so great.
The course of the comet will be onward
until it strikes the South Pole and bursts
to pieces or burns that important stake in
two. In the latter event we would advise
all hands to 'stand from under"
When we make further calculations as
to time, the readers of the Western Demo
crat shall be duly notified.