The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1872-08-12

A Cambridge Savant Exploding the
FOretOld Burst Up.
A Nebulous Humbug-Professor Winlock on
COMPRISING Comet-Is Planta-
mour Responsiblei

BOSTON, August IL, 1872.
Tomorrow, the 10Th Of August, is the time, 1t has
been rumored, that this mundane sphere was to
be consumed by terrible comet now on Its way
from the heavenly regions Not only the supersti-
tious but people who usually disregard astr0nomi-
Cal calculations Of every kind, have in vain en-
deavored to conceal their uneasiness and nervous
ness rejecting upon the chances of their exist
ence on and after the coming Monday. The old
Miilerite followers who have for the last quarter
OF century predicted annually lI-
rue END OF All THINGS EARTHLY
have seized upon this alleged prediction OF promi-
nent Swiss astronomer, and declared, with more
earnestness and feeling than usual, that this time
the world was to be most certainly and absolutely
destroyed by torch to be applied by heavenly
incendiary. At their camp meetings. now holding
IN different parts OF the country doctrines and
warnings Of this description have been proclaimed,
and the believers have been in 1ustriously engaged
In preparing for their terrible and final end. Only
the politicians, it seems have absolutely ignored
the timely warning. The charms and temptations
of ONCE are too great to allow even such an
unusual event as
THE BURNING OF THE WORLD
to interfere with vigorous prosecution Of q
political campaign. Among those, TOO, who affect
to believe that universal eternity Is close ut hand
there have been such evidences Of firm belief as
o suspension OF business lack Of preparations for
the possible contingency of a continuation Of
worldly existence. Creditors have undoubtedly
been pressed as reentlessly ever, and there has
been no perceptible diminishing OF that universal
desire to .ccumuate wealth which has character
lied greedy humanity for 80 many generations.
Lamenable as 1t may all appear, 1t is nevertheless
an apt Illustration OF the old saying, that "the
ruling passion Is strong in DEATH"
For the benefit of the world and Its people who
are anxious about the future OF the planet HERALD
reporter has undertaken TO gather
SOME RELIABLE INFORMATION
concerning the terrible event which has been an
nounced for Monday. The story OF the approach OF
the destructive comet at the time specified was
said 70 have come from M. plantamour, a distin-
gnished Swiss astronomer. He predicted, as
alleged that 1t would be here promptly on Monday,
and that Its effect would be terrible TO
render the destruction OF the earth at once
general interest HERALD reporter net himself dill
igentIy TO work to gather particulars OF how mat
tiers were to be conducted, and In pursuit OF such
Information he visited the renowned Cambridge
University few days ago.
SIS Professor wnock in p" asked OF an attend
ant and was courtc0usly informed he absent for
o few days on a pleasure excursion. At this was
somewhat puzzled. 1t might be that the Professor
regarded the alleged prophecy of the Swiss astrono
mer In the light OF hoax, and still 1t might be that
he, too had discovered the approach Of
THE DEvOURING ELEMENT,
and was making the best OF what little time there
was before its arrival. My only alternative, how
ever, was to wait in painful suspense the return Of
the Professor. To-day called at au early hour
and found him as calm and serene summer
morning: There was such an absence of the so.
ashamed to make known the purpose OF my visit,
and 10 was not until lie had shown me all through
dentally and Instantly, to the matter Of the comet
"Oh, yes, said he, 81 have heard and read con-
siderable about It within few days.
The unconcerned manner In which he thus ex-
pressed himself gave me assurance that there was
yet hope; and endeavoring to be Just as un.
concerned as the Professor, asked him where he
supposed such story originated.
II don't know, y he answered, "but probably in
some Of the foreign newspapers
q
ever predicted this particular comet?" asked.
"The story an entire fabrication from begin.
ming to end" he replied, land understand that
the swiss astronomer has publicly declared that he
never made any such prediction; and don't be-
kind we should see 1t here, and, furthermore,
1t would be observed by other astronomers.''
Concerning the nature or comets In general
Professor winock SAID :-"An comets are composed
| OF q sort OF
GASEOUS vAPoR,
and they can be compressed into space no larger
| than an ordinary peach stone and il one OF them
should happen to strike the earth 1t would be no
! q Cunard steamer
"How near do comets usually come to the eartha'
"The nearest one,. I think, came within about
twelve million miles"
care they frequently seen at this or greater dis.
! ''No, not so often as formerly. Some years ago
| the King OF Denmark awarded medal TO the dis.
! many found that he withdrew the premium and
since then comparatively few have been discovered:
4 III there were any actually seen you would OF
I course hear Of 1t officially"
Even II they were not visible from this Observa-
| tory ~ inquired.
''Uh yes; our arrangements are complete for the
exchange Of Information with the whole OF Europe
and n there had been such discovery as this has
been represented to be we should have heard Of 1t
long since"
"Weil, then, suppose can announce that
THIS STORY Is A HUMBUG Y'
yes sir: you can say that, a. far az astronomy
Ia concerned, the world Is perfectly safe for many
years TO come"
,.,r on An rpo. pprncp