The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1866-11-14

shs Atmosphere.
As the earth nsars tho meteoric belt which
surrounds the sun our atmosphere naturally
becomes surchasgsd win electricity. Some Of
tho curious effects which have resulted from
this condition Of the air have already become
apparent, and others still moro startling are to
follow. Observant philosophers may trace the
beginning OF this electrical influence In the sud-
denness with which Grant wound mp the rebel
lion, the excitability Of the assassin Booth. To
shock which Napoleon received whom Maxi
milian's failure became evident, and the vigoT
with which John Bright opened his reform cam
paign in England. Then, - We swung still
closer 70 the meteors, mems minds and actions
wsre still more powerfully affected. No doubt
Bismarok's ambition was generated by cleo
trioity. The recent campaign Of the Prussians
was conducted with ligAtning-liks rapidly.
The mental disturbances resulted In attempts
ct assassination in Prussia, Russia and Austria.
The Princess Carlotta, passing from the posi-
tive electric currents Of this hemisphere TO the
negative electric atmosphere of the Old World,
behaved SO strangelysthat certain doctors, igno-
rant Of the approach Of the meteoric phenomena,
pronounced her insane. Tho Fenians felt the
afaatus and invaded Canada. The republicans
were stirred up by 1t and swept tho whole
North tremendously at the recent elections
President johnson and Louis Napoleon were
drawn into sympathy upon the Mexican busi
ness. Macmillan, receiving his inspiration
from another pole of the universal battery, in
continently abdicatsd. Revolutions, like fire.
balls, suddenly flashed forth in Spain. A now
island sprung up in the Mediterranean. The
old Atlantic cable began to work. The Japa-
nese Tycoon died OF. All these and various
other remarkable circumstances are doubtless
attributable TO the electrical condition OF the
atmosphere.
The nervous Compartments of the Anne ican
people are peculiarly susceptible to these mys-
terious influences. At the South they have
wrought up the politicians to such pitch that
the constitutional amendment is rejected At
the North precisely opposite effects are pro-
duced and the amendment is unanimously en-
ae:.ea When mastodons are discovered at
Cohoes all sorts of political, religious, social
and dramatic revelations are to be anticipated.
Electricity gives Morrissey an impetus that
sends him to Congress The same power elects
Miles O'Reilly, smashes the Corporation "ring,"
induces Brennan TO politely decline q renomi-
nation and clears the way for Judge Barnard
as Comptroller. II operates wildly upon the
religious world and nerves the Rev. Mr.. Smyth
In his criticisms upon the clergy. II acts posi-
lively upon Manager Wheatley, drawing
crowds to his demoralizing exhibition,
and 1t acts negatively upon the other sssoci-
ated managers, emptying their houses remorse-
lessly. It inspires Ristori and endows her with
magnetic power over her audiences, and 1t
places Dillon in the front rank OF English ira
gedians, far beyond Forrest, the tanned Indian,
and Booth, the secondhand imitator Of Kean.
II revives the Grecisn games in their classical
purity and gives Us race course at Jerome
Park free from those nuisances that infest the
trotiing tracks Il causes gentlemen to ride
their own horses in hurdle race and origi-
mates such unprecedented feats - driving q
team without traces to Macomb's Dam and
four-in-hand around the Fordham course inside
Of three and half minutes. Il crowds the Park
with thousands Of brilliant equipages and i'm
presses upon everybody the desire for grand
Boulevard at the upper end Of the island. II
suggests the widening Of all our thronged
streets and vetoes the Mayor who vetoes pub
lie improvements. The nearer we come 10 the
meteoric display the more amazing are the
atmospheric influences. The ladies change
their fashions as often as they change their
minds, and grow more extravagant and charm
ing with every transformation. Wall street Is
excited and bulls and bears leap and wrsngle
gslvanically. Unless these phenomena culmi-
nate with the meteorc shower, which all the
world will stay awake to see, We may expect
the most extraordinary events during the next
year that have occurred since electricity ere
ated the globe out OF the original nebulous
gases.
But among the most noticeable results OF
the electrical excitement, the ocean yacht
race, which Is now awaited with intense
interest by the people on both sides OF The
Atlantic must not be overlooked. This race,
to be begun in December, will insuglrate
new era in American and English yachting.
In former times our yachtsmen were satisfied
to cruise about the bay or the Sound. Then
they aspired to ocean matches 10 Cape May
and return. Now, influenced by the electrical
condition Of the atmosphere and by that spirit
Of American enterprise which is itself electric,
the owners Of the Fleetwing, vesta and
Henrietta have arranged race from New
York to Cowes during what is popularity.
though perhaps enormously, regarded as the
most tempestuous season of The year. The
Commodore of the New York Yacht Club will
act as one of the judges and await the arrival
Of the contestants AT the Isle OF Wight The
yachts are already at the shipbuilders', recciv.
ing the repairs and alterations necessary for
Il af In