The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-05-08

more than twelve miles. The tidal theory
supposes the anomalous condition OF an
interrupted ocean enveloping the whole
globe. Again, if the moon or sun causes
the tide, we would expect an observable
uniformity in the direction and velocity OF
the tidal wave from the eastern borders of
the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans to their
western borders; but on the contrary, it is
acknowledged by orthodox believers in the
lunar and solar cause of tides that we have
little or no clue to the course or rate Of
travel of the ocean tide. Even for the
North Atlantic, which is constantly alive
with commerce, no connection has yet been
discovered between tides of the opposite
coasts.
The tide on either side of the earth does
not rise on the vertical between the earth
and the attracting body, but, under favor
able circumstances, about three hours be-
hind it; and when these are not favorable,
the retardation may be almost indefinitely
prolonged. The reason of this is said to
be that the inertia and friction of the water,
and other causes prevent its rapid change
of form; and although the elevating force
is greatest under the vertical, it still con-
tinues to act in the same direction, and
with but little diminuton of force, for
some hours after the passage of the moon
But, strange to say, when the influences of
the sun and moon are combined to over
come this friction and inertia, the interval
between the meridian passages of these
luminaries and the spring tide is longest of
all. The retardation SO varies with the
depth of the sea, form of the basin, inter-
ruption of the land, etc, that confessedly
no regular progressive movement of the
tide wave can take place except in the un-
frequented Southern Ocean. This, togeth-
er with the acknowledged want of observed
connection between the tides on the oppo-
site coasts of the North Atlantic-though
here subject to constant inspectiOn-leads
to the conclusion that the belief respecting
the movement of the tidal wave around the
earth from east to west, is based on con-
lecture rather than positive demonstration.
On the other hand, there are some reasons
for the supposition that this wave moves in
the opposite direction. Mr.. John Wise
who suggests some of the objections men,
toned above, claims that it moves from
west to east, and is due to the action of
the earths centrifugal force, just as water
is thrown forward on the surface of a rap
idly revolving grndstone. In substantial
ton of this, he says: The first authenti-
Gated records we have of this centrifugal
wave rolling round the earth, from west to
east, are given in the log of the clipper
ship Sovereign of the Seas, in her remark
ably short passage of eighty-three days
from the Sandwich Islands to New York,
in 1858, in accordance with Maury's chart
| furnished by our government. This ship
made 1GJ knots an hour in her casting for
four consecutive days while riding this
great centrifugal wave in her doubling of
Cape Horn. And in the same year, by the
same directions the sailing ship Flying
Scud made equally good castings, and made
as much as 449 miles in one day, taking
advantage of this fact of the great tidal
wave.' These statements would seem to
necessitate the progressive movement OF
the water as we'll as the wave, for their ex-
PLANTATION. But it is generally held that
the water itself has little or no real for
ward motion.
Mr.. Wise also claims that there are not
two distinct daily tides in the Southern
Ocean, nor at all intertropical points; and
that where two appear, they are due to
gurgitation and reorganization Of the water,
occasoned by it's forcible contact with the
shores between which it oscilates, and may
be influenced by the fact that the equator
of the earth is an ellipse and not perfect
circle. He assigns, as the cause of Their
regularity, what Herbert Spencer calls the
rhythm of motion, and says: "They have
their calculation in, and are manitestly
referable to, that harmonious pulsation OF
Nature which exhibits itself in the throb
bling of the heart, in the motion of the
blood, the vibration of sound, the nod
ding of the poles of the earth, in all me
chanical movements, and in the measured
cadence of the waterfall as it rises anG
falls ia its musical rhythms.'
That most of the objections cited hereir
have their stereotyped answers is not de
MED. But it will doubtless be conceded
that there is some reasonable doubt as tt
their correctness, and that strict science
which rests on facts and not on theories
would not be injured by careful revision
of this whole question. With this end il
view, we close our remarks as we began
with the honest query: What is the cause
of tides?