Cincinnati daily press. [volume] (Cincinnati [Ohio]) 1860-1862, 1860-06-09
A PLAN 10 Explode Crention.


of the American press, stating that COM
pany is about to be formed to dig canal.
from the Mediterranean Sea to the crater of
Mt. Yesuvius, to throw cold water on the
volcano in order to reclaim large amount
of valuable land on the sides Of the mountain.
The fact of the crater of the volcano being
thirty-two hundred feet above the sea, and
the constitutional indisposition Of water to
run up hill, are, perhaps, hardly worthy of
being taken into consideration in so magnif-
cent project. We think, however, that we
recollect when and where this plan started
and then the geography was made to fit the
case; and it was stated that, by actual obser-
walton, It was found that the crater was
several hundred feet below the level of the
sea. This was necessary to give it currency
in the West, where it started, but the New
York Observer and various other papers of
high standing at the East, gave it q charac-
ter that enabled it to travel independent of
the geographical provision.
After circulating regularly in the enlight-
ened press--the great fountain of intelli-
genoe, to which under Providence we owe
our immeasurabe superiority over any other
people-the Boston Courier has finally taken
it up, and it discusses the, possible conse-
quences of the attempt with great concern.
The Courier argues that Vesuvius has prob
ably been belching at intervals for twenty
centuries therefore the flames "must COM
municate with very extensive sources Of
combustion-tho central fires of the earth;''
and concludes devoutly as follows r3i-
'fThe object of the Mediterranean canal is
said to be to quench the fire Of Vesuvius,
and then by removing the accumulated lava,
to recover 30 much additional territory for
cultivation. The experiment seems to us
doubtful, and we are free to confess, danger
Gus. If no other effect should be produced
by the imprisoned steam, which should be
generated by the introduction of vast
body of water into the fiery bowels of the
crater, we should be 10th to be, at the mo-
ment, within circuit of many miles, for the
reason of the violent effects likely to follow
the attempt upon the spot. What more re-
mote and terrible consequence might ensue,
is,not possible to calculate. The diameter OF
the earth is not 70 large that the water
might not rush through all its vast and
boiling caverns. In view of the entire sub
ject, we conceive that it would be far wiser
to let the crater of Vesnvius alone. II is
better in the charge of the Almighty Provi-
dence, by which all things exist. 0' 7fli
Boston being the hub of the Universe, it is
natural that apprehensionshould be felt there
at any experiment on the bowels of the earth
withimprisoned steam. The Courisrs simple
trust in Providence can not be too much ad-
- VI r..
mired The editor thinks that the Canal
Company have got the thing in their own
hands, and can turn on the water and ex-
plode the whole earth, Providence and all
and deyoutly prefers to leave the matter as il
is, in the charge of Almighty Providence.
"A learned Catholic priest has written
much to show that the place for dispensing
justice to lost sinners with, fire and pungent
condiments, the contemplation of which af
fords such serene satisfaction to the well reg
ulated mind, is in the center of the earth
The two leading facts on which he found
this are-frst the volcanoes, which show in
ternal combustion suitable for such a proVi
SION and, second, that on penetrating tn,
earth the heat is found TO increase il
regular proportion to the depth, from
which q ratio is arrived at which shows
mathematically, that at the depth O
Eve or ten miles degree of heat can b
found high enough to content the mos
deyout imagination; and showing also tina
as the greater part of the earth is in state G
combustion, the provision is probably equs
to the demand. 5qrB a.I .td ior mos
| But if this theory is true--and we see n
4 reason 10 doubt tive submit to the edito
\ of the Courier whether it would not be we
to let the Vesuvius Canal Company turn o
the water. Any event certainly can not /
worse for him, and it may be that the Met
iterranean, with the oceans to back it, wi
be too much for the internal and eterni
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