The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-12-23
A POLITICAL pTTMAN.

We read with establishment of the "1earned black
smith" who taught himself to read and write by the
aid OF a primer, piece of chalk and the door OF
his smifhy. but the wonder of this achievement
pales by the side of that of Joseph sipsey pitman
working in the mines of Percy MAN, North
Shields, in England. When he knew but his b C's
and while yet in his early childhood, Skpsey began
to work in the coal pits fourteen hours out of the
day. His duty a child of tender years to at
tend trap door connecting with the ventilation of
the mines, and on that door with bit of chalk he
learned to write BY the time he eleven years old
he had committed several chapters of the Bible to
memory by writing them this imrrovised slate. At
the age Of sixteen he had acquired knowledge of
English grammar. Other studies, chiefly a scien-
fife nature, succeeded this; then that of poetry fol-
liarity of gorlas and apes generally and assigning
them their proper place in the order Of lv-
ing creatures explaining the peculiari-
ties of ozone, the formation of dew aud
the levelling power of rain, introducing
to the mysteries Of ancient Babylonian asrognosy
feel that the part Of guide there is little
doubt and no hesitation-wc under the same
steady light aud in the grip of the strong hand
OF Dr. Diapers discovery Mr. Proctor speaks in terms
of the very highest praise. 1t il, he says the
important and promising result of stellar research
since 1852 Interesting and valuable in itself IL is
the future In 1859 Kirchof discovered by the use
Of the spectroscope, that double dark line in the
solar spectrum is due to the vapor sodium in the
suns atmosphere; and from that discovery a long
series of important results followed. Dr. Draper
has discovered that oxygen shows ts presence in the
sun by bright instead of dark lines; and il Is conf
IDENTIFY expected that this discovery which is the result
Of new method of examining the solar spectrum.
will lead to discoveries great aud important beyond
previous expectation DIR. Draper has very wisely
made his method known, and Mr.. Proctor Is of tho
opinion that impetus will be given to stellar
spectroscopy and that through the conjont expert
ments OF many laborcrs in the field and In the
same direction, not only will classification of the
stars be rendered possible. but fresh light will be
thrown on the suns present condition, as well MS on
his past history and that future fate upon which
depends the future of our earth Malets theory OF
volcanoes Mr.. Proctor thinks is destined to gain
degree of acceptance not hitherto accorded to any
other theory. IL is well known that no theory ex.
planatory of the earths volcanic energy has yet
gained general acceptance All previous theories have
failed on the ground of inadequacy. They have not
met the case. They have not explained the
phenomena. without dwelling upon any of the
other theories we shall endeavor. with Mr. Proctors
help. to present in brief and condensed form the
theory which has been propounded by the eminent
sesmatologst, Mallct II IL admitted by all physi-
cists that earth is gradually parting with its
heat As IL cools of course 1t contracts IL this cool
ing and contracting process took place uniformly all
through the earth there would be special subtcr-
rancan action. II. however. the interior contracts
more quickly than the crust the latter must in
way force itself in and down upon the retreating
nucleus. Mallet shows that the hotter internal por
ton must contract more quickly than the relatively
cool crust lie also shows that the shrinkagc Of the
crust " competent 70 produce Ill the known phs-