The Leavenworth weekly times. [volume] (Leavenworth, Kan.) 1870-1880, 1877-12-27

81 the weather has naturally created great
d. AZ U; interest. Ii Ii noticeable that the
scientific persons, from whom We have
right To expect explanations OF all natural
phenomena, have not word to say in re-
gard 10 the weather When they are ques- !
toned, they either pretend that they have
not noticed that the weather Is unusually
warm, or else they hasten 20 turn the con-
yersation. This conduct is certainly sig
niiicant, not TO say suspicious. Meanwhile,
the scientific persons are holding confer
ences and exchanging letters full OF ob-truse
calculations, the purpOrt Of which they
keep profound secret. They have ceased
TO hunt for asteroids or TO quarrel over
the question OF the existence OF Vulcan
Ii Is to lie hoped that an explanations of
their conduct and OF the Unprecedented
warmth of the weather can be made, but II
Is impossible 10 deny that 4 feeling oil
uneaslness exists among thoughtful
men, especially such have
a moderate acquaintance with astronomy
and nIeieorolo,y.
Ii il still fresh in the public recoll' elton
that during the months OF October anu No
vember the planet Mars was more brilliant
than either Venus or Jupiter. IL was ap-
par ntly double Its usual size, and it, two
satellites, which had previously escaped
the observ alton Of the best telescopes, were
easily discerned. The astronomers offered
no explanation of this phenomenon. We
could readily understand that Mars would
appear unusually large and that its satel-
lites would become visible, il the earth had
approached closer to that planet than it had
ever approached before, but no astronomer
informed US that such was the fact. Never
theless, no other theory has been suggested,
and il is impossible to form any other which
will account for the facts.
Another astronomical phenomenon &C.
CURED in November, conc rning which the
astronomers have hitherto maintained
profound silence. In every previous No
venber the earth has passed through re-
gion of meteorolites, thousands OF which
have come within the sphere OF Its attrac-
ton and become visible in the shape OF
shooting stars. This year the so-called
November meteors failed 10 appear, for the
first time in the history Of the earth. One
would s,.rpo-e that the astronomers would
have ha-tened to publish ingenious
theories to account for the
absence Of the meteors; but, strange As it
NAV seem, they have abstained from nolic-
ing IL This cannot he ascribed to acct ent
Many accidents may happen to scientific
persons. but an omission to PROFOUND new
theories whenever an opportunity offers Is
not the kind OF accident to which they are
liable Their silence in this matteris as re-
markable as their silence in regard To the
weather and the extraordinary apparent
nearness of Mars. To suppose that there is
no meaning in this silence, is To be guilty
of manifest absurdity.
Now, there is one thing-and one only
which fully explains the PHENOMENA just
mentioned. If for any reason the earth
were to he drawn out OF her orbit, ami
made to rapidly approach the sun, the
weather would grow steadily warmer while
the path of the November m,lcors would
be left b hind, and none Of them would fall
within the earth's attraction. Mars, being
at the time opposite 10 the earth and on
the other side OF the sun. would, OF course,
he approached during several weeks with
about the same rapidity with which the
earth approached the sun. Thus We see
that the theory that the earth has aban-
doned her orbit and is rushing toward the
sun, accounts for the warmth of the
weather, the absence of the November
meteors, and the temporary nearness of
Mars. That the astronomers should hest
tate to acquaint us with tn impending ruin
to the earth can b. readily understood. If
the earth is to be DESTROYED in the course of
a year or two, their occupation will I've gone,
and in the meantime the excited public
may he inclined TO hold them accountable
for the calamity, provided they are the first
to announce it. However this NAV be, the
theory that the earth is approaching the
sun NAV be considered as demonstrated. As
Prof Huxley remarked when comparing
the theory OF evolution with the theory OF
gravitation it accounts for all the facts.
while no other theory will account for them.