The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1872-03-13

readers that M. Plantamour. an astrono.
mer OF extraordinary ekill, had predicted
the arrival. early next August, of a COM
ct Which would come into collision with
the earth. It is undeniable that this
story has produced considerable unessi-
ness in Europe among the unscientific
and credulous people who put faith in
their newspapers. and unless the ficti-
tions character Of both M. Plantamour
and his comet should be established,
there are multitudes who will watch un-
easily for the coming Of the fiery stran-
ger.
Years ago the dread of cometary col
lision was quite common. The comet
was then Supposed to be wholly inde-
pendent body, which. in utter scorn of
planetary time table, rnn its erratio
course needless of the safety of itself aud
Of the planets. Since then We have
learned that the comets Of our solar sys-
tom are as regular in their habits as our
Oldest and staidest planets, aud that they
are, moreover. for the most part, con-
stltnted OF such tenuous vapor that a
collision between the largest Of them and
the earth would be imperceptiblc, cx-
oept in the form of slight Increase in
hazlness OF the atmosphere. 1t is true
that q degree OF irresolution is some
times shown by these bodies-as in the
case OF the susceptible comet which was
detained III its route by the destinations
of the moon of Jupiter-still it was con-
coded that this particular comet intend.
ed no violence. but, like very young
man who meets bevy of pretty board
ing-echool girls taking the air together.
WAS induced to pause in admiration un-
til the seductive moons were led away by
their mntronly planet
The comet of NJ. Plantamour is not,
however. one of the tame, domesticated
and eminentiy respectable comets of our
system, but wild and dangerous wan-
darer from the interstellar wildcrncescs.
Of its CONSTITUTE >n, whether gaseous or
solid, it is yet impossible to Judge, but
We are assured that it is of enormous
size, and is heading directly toward the
earth. Should it consist of burning
hydrogen. it would hardly fail 10 add
worry unpleasantly to the heat Of August,
while, If it is solid body, it will undoubt-
edly smash the earth to pieces, and con-
vert it into scores of smsll meteoric
bodies.
An elaborate calculation of the force
with which it will strike shows that,
while everything Mt the point Of collision
Will be pulverized, all objects on the OPP
posite side OF the earth will be driven
into space, there TO revolve on orbits of
their own. Thus, ehould the comet
strike the American continent. the region
OF space directly under our feet would be
filled will the fragments Of China. while
metcorlc tea chests and aerolito China
men would thenceforth circle forever
round the eun in orbits Of greater or less
eccentricity. This fact will become il
matter OF immense Importance when the
time OF collision draws near. So long on
q choice remains, no one who can be-
come an independent aerolitc will prefer
to remain where he must inevitably be
smashed. We may, therefore, expect to
ind the greater part of The human race
collected next August Oh that hemisphere
where they will be safe from pulverza-
ton, but whence they will start in end
less journeyings through space. Wheth.
er the Ingenuity Of inventors will pro-
vide patent safety planets. filled with
condensed food and affording room fox
small families, 80 thut the horrors OF sol
itary travelling may bo avoided, remains
to he seen. At all events, lovers who
await the shock clasped in eoch other.
arms can look forward with certainty to
a union which will never be broken un-
til the force Of gravity shall loae It's pow.
or.
Lovers, however, may not be the only
ones who will be compelled to journey
hand in hand together. Imagination re
coils from the contemplation of the fate
Of that indiscreet husband who may in.
cautiously DO found near his mothcr-in
lnw mt the moment of collision, md thus
be forced to form with her new sort o
double STAR, whohe filful light, ns ia,
fiery old lady and the sadlencd husband
should alternately present themselves to
tho observer, would challenge the spcct
roscope in vain. Wc may, however
fancy Mayor Hall seeking courage from
tue presan Of his TGmmany friends
aud thus becoming new Saturn, sur
rounded by a ring wherein the diamond
| Of Tweed wonld flash with the hrilIianc,
of the self-lnminous stnrs; aud danced
about by attendant aud pcrpp.naliy full
faced moons in tho shape OF lIorac,
| Greeley and Nathaniel Sands. Shoml,
| tho dispossessed inhabitants of cartl
join that wonderful meteoric belt from
which our November mcteCrs come, tho,
will contribute to such other planets IL
their orbits may cross showers far NOR,
| -