Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1860-10-16
MISCELLANEOUS READING.

THE FINAL DESTINY OF THE EARTH.
Encke's comet, which reyolves about the sun
in 81 years has been observed to complete
its revolution in constantly shortening Pc
Rod, showing that it is being drawn inward
towards the sun. This fact has led to the
general conclusion by astronomers that the
planets are moving in resisting medium,
far more attenuated than our atmosphere,
| but still sufficient to affect their notions
If this is so, it follows by strict necessity that
our earth and its sister orbs are all winding
spirally towards the sum- and that they must
eventually strike against it and become in
corporated with its mass. The time requir-
ed for this purpose belongs to those inconcei-
vable periods with which geology and astrou-
omy have to deal. The resisting medium is
SO exceedingly attenuated that it exerts but
a slight influence on the comets, which are
themselves masses of the very thinnest yapor,
and it's influence would of course be very
much less on the dense matter of the planets.
Astronomical observations with all their
wonderful delicacy, haye yet failed to detect
the slightest progressive shortening IN the Pc
riods of revolution of any OF the planets. lt
| Is curious, however, to note the multiplied
obstacles which prevent the perception Of
this fact, if it does exist. All the measured
of these revolutions are shortening with tho
revelations themselves. If We begin, for in
stance, with the earth, the problem Is to as-
certain whether the time occupied by the
earth IN its journey around the sun is gradu-
ally bee. ming shorter. The first plan that
suggests i self is t. compare this with the ro-
tatun If the g .rtn upon its axis, to see wneth-
| t1.
DAYS and Lour. and seconds that it did in
former times But if the earth is gradually
cooling, il is contracting in size, and its rota-
| tions on its axis are becoming more rapid;
in other words, thc day is shortening with
the year, ana II the measure shrlnks just in
proportion to the thing measured, VIC can
not tell whether the latter is becoming short
er or not.
IF We take the time Of the revolution of the
moon around the earth as standard, tho
same resisting medium would draw the
moon towards the earth, and shorten the
month also with the year. 1t weresort even
to the less satisfactory measure OF the suns
rotation on his axis his bulk is also diminish
| ing by the radiation of his heat and the Pc
Rod of his rotation is consequently becoming
shorter In brief, from the two causes OF
radiation and the resisting medium, all the
times and distances which could be used TO
measure the earth's distance to the sun (or
the period of its annual revolutlon) are shor-
tening together So that the difference ia
the extent of these several contradictions
are the only means of left for detecting by
observation, the approach of the earth to tho
sun, if such approach is really taking place.
These differences would doubtless reveal
themselves in the course Of generations to re.
| fined astronomical observations.
Ii the earth and the sun are gradually
becoming cold, this winding Of the earth to-
wards the sun would tend to keep up its
warmth and it may be wise provision for
prolonging, BY some millions Of years, the
continuance Of animal life on the globe
But this period must come to close, for i.
there is resisting medium pervading the
| space between MS and the sun, the final desti-
nv of the earth is to curve gradually inward
Til, with velocity hundreds of times great
er than that of n cannon ball, it dashes it.
self with an awfully sublime crash into the
mass of the un.--.Scientafc american.
A TENNESSEE DEER PARH.-A Nashville
| (Tenn.l correspondent of the Rochester Uni
| on and Advertiser discourses as follows:
We have visited two estates near Nashville
both of which are worthy of notice. The
first is that Of Gen Harding, gentleman of
of large hereditary wealth, whose extensive
! lands are situated five or six miles from the
this city. cannot now remember how many
acres he possesses. his park alone contains
| 500 acres. We here saw between 2OO and
| 400 deer, which on our approach displayed
all their native attitude and habits, and scam
pered away, fleet aud gracefully; also Eerd
Of elk, between which and us magnificent
buck of the same species kept moving on
guard, with such evident impatience, and
with such an ominous tossing OF his long
pointed antlers, that we took another dlrec-
ton, as we were we'll convinced that these
his natural weapons of warfare, were long
enough and sharp enough to reach through
and beyond our carriage. His predecessor
in the patra7chal honors of the herd, we
were informed. showed himself SO combat
tive and dangerous to visitors, that his horns
were sawed off is precaution OF necessity;
hut. either taking this mutilation to heart,
or being unable any longer to MAINTAIN his
position against his younger competitors ny
| force the old fellow abdicated his throne,
and now passes his days in retirement. lt
was curious to notice that while the deer
proper all ran out at our approach, the fe-
male elks, of closely kindred species, consid-
cred themselves safe while their male guar
dian kept guard on the line between them and
us. I'm this same park we came upon a social
gathering Of about thirty butfaloes, consisting
of.bul!s, cows and calves, the juniors bask-
ing lazily in the sun, and the old pasrareh0
chewing their cuds with great gravity and
look of initiate wisdom.
niy~ CARD TO YOUNG LADIES AND
| GENTLFMEN.-The subscriber will send Ctree 0
cAarge to all who desire ii, the Recipe and direo
tons for making a simple Vegetable B"tm, that
will, in from two TO eight days, remove Pimples,
Blotches. Tan, freckfs, Sallowness, and all impu-
rites and roAghness OF the Skin, leaving the same
~ Nature intended it should be-sct clear,
.,no,M, ami beautiful Those desiring the Recipe,
with full Instructions and adyiee, will please call
on or address with return postage
JAS. 7. MARSHALL.
n....,