The Greenville times. [volume] (Greenville, Miss.) 1868-1917, 1880-04-17

ally reduce tho water level at that I
point, the effect would be analo-
goua to that Of q cutoff in the
river Immediately above. That is,
its equilibrium would be disturb I
ed, an abnormal fall and velocity |
Of current created. which would
result in savage attack upon the
banks, until = norman condition
should be restored BY regaining an
equivalent length. To take . broad
illustration, VIE will suppose that
an outlet could be made which
would divert the whole river from
its present channel at some point
far enough above tho mouth TO
shorten its length ono hundred
miles. It is evident that the fall
due to u length Of one hundred
miles would be suddenly concen-
trated say 50 to 40 feet. 1t Is dilh-
cult to conjecture exactly what
would follow, but It seems certain |
that the banks would 60 in by |
whole townships until the lost
length should be rcgained and the
equilibrium restored, when mat
tcrs would stand pretty much a.
thoy were before tho outlet was
made, except that the river might
be q good deal moro crooked.
But this paper was called forth
moro directly by an article from
the pan Of the Rev. DR..
| C. X. Marshall, which appeared In
your February number, entitled
g Reservoirs" The Doctor has
brought TO his aid all OF his we'll
known powers Of eloquencc. for
tho purpose, II would seem, Of
making a scnaatioM IN favor OF
this scheme, and has given bril-
liant example Of his ability IN that
line. al
| II Il difficult, however, to eco
the relevancy or point Of his allu.
sion to tho rivers in the SOLDER
countries" and this part Of his
subject Is brought to avery lame
and impotcnt conclusion. I quote
as follows: (" - The lille, the
Amour, the volgn. tho Danube,
the Dncipcr, tho Amazon,
have needed just the treatment
that reservoirs niFoul--yct ncvnI
/, | until Col. Ellet dared to demon
strute 10 an ihcredul0Ms continent
: the cniire feasibility, vast econo'n,
; increased salubrity, constancy o
4 navigation, ansl easn 0f manage
,mcMt Of great reservoirs-ncvo'
(, until he made the proof lind the!
! been dreamed Of" (!) And h
: might have added that they have
: never moro than boon dreamed o
to this day, though the obvious IN
I ference to be drawn Is that III
! reservoir system la, been IN YER
Q satisfactory operation In all thos'
9 rivers for qnitc . while; AM
! that Col. Eliot was u man Q
y unusual daring. With all desor
: cnce to DR.. Marshall, ! respectful
9 submit that tho subject under col
. sideration ought 10 be viewed
g the calm light Of reason and di'
y cdssed mstEemrtically, rath'
g than in this spread eaglo style. e
= tho capabilities Of tho rcscrvio
! system and the results likely
D. follow from Its adoption, arc 90
y, ceptiblc Of almost exact calcul'
ot ton, and therefore oil that Is nee
., ed is the proper kind Of researt
g. aud examination to determine !
70 value; and, l may add tho sngi
nc GERS Of to-day will not be slow
d prcceive its advantages, II tn
sc exist.
"a Tho reservoir systom, II cxpc'
Ks mcnts orc properly madc, aud I
an tcnsiyc and accurate examinatio
Of instituted, will probably bc fou
nel to have its merits, and indeed, m
lat develop into q useful auxilis
at II nothing more, to other systc
on as II will doubtless improve
navigation OF somo Of the upl
W tributaries !; and II may, b.
u.s. some influence upon tho flood le
or here. But, considering the '
o. interests involved, and the lal
De expenditures to bc incurred,
would be prudent to look sh'
on before hastily abandoning
nee methods that havc bceu fol
ser ef|sctiveto . very great extent, |
ose rushing into new and untried Q
hes IN this reckless sort Of fashion.
NY subject should be treated cal;
)Ov, ..d o.wnfs,llv watl,nr than III 4