New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1882-12-03
A RIG BIOW,

A BIG BLOW.
There is an impression abroad that we are to
have n snowy winter. The signs" handed
down through many generations, all point that
wav. it is said. Who has not heard, for ex
ample, that the day of the month on which the
first snow falls indicates with unerrirg accu-
racy the number Of srow-stOrms we shall have
during the winter Well, the first snow this
year fell on the 26th, and We are to have
twenty six snOwSorms unless the weather
clerk has got his figures muddled. Then, again,
it Is an equally trustworthy sign that if the
first snow turns into rain all the subsequent
storms of the winter will do the same thing,
and there will be little or no sleighing; but if
the first storm ends without rain all It's fol-
lowers will do the same, and the merry tinkle
of bells will abound throughout the season.
All this is well and of good import A cold
winter with plenty Of snow not only brings en-
ioyment, but what is better, health. One sign
of this was entered in the autumn, and there
were many weather-wise persons who went
about while the snow was falling last week
wagging their heads and saying: "Ah, knew
ait! | knew we should have an early winter
"because we had so much rain in the fall. If
@you remember,.I so predicted at the time 1t
is a matter of small moment to this kind of
prophet whether anybody's memory stands the
test or not. He knows perfectly well that he
made the prediction
There was every reason, up to yesterday
morning, therefore, why We should all look
forward to & Jolly period for the next few
months. That is all of us except the street
cleaning contractors and the few irritable per-
sons who consider snow under any circum-
stances an intolerable nuisance. Even the
street cleaners were in a measure happy be-
cause fer the first time in the history of the
period they had succeeded In removing the
snow from Broadway. The patient public lis
tened in silence to the publications over this
feat and magnanimously refrained from allud-
ing TO the condition of the other thorough
fares OF the city. Upon the public thus serene
and hopeful WAS dropped in the most unex-
pccted manner the prediction of Professor L.
Stone higgins, LID, of Canada. that the
greatest storm that has visited this continent
since the days of the illustrious first Presidentr
would burst upon us on or about noon on Sun
day, March II, 1888. 1t was Il dreadful blow
this prediction was, and if the predicted storm
reaches the same dimensions Professor L. Stone
Higgins, LID, will be very lucky man. We
have our opinion of man who will sun
whole continent with information of that an
pallng character without any attempt to pre-
pare the public mind in advance but almost
anything is TO be expected OF a man who will
part his name in that way. But whatever may
be said about his manner there is no discount
on the matter of his prediction. lie saws his
great storm will be felt first in the Northern
Pacific, will appear in the Gulf of Mexico on
the night of March 0, will carom on the Rocky
Mountains sometime during the next day. and
reach here about noon on Sunday in time TO
catch the congregations on their way from
church and play havoc with bonncts and fall
hats.
OF the fury Of the tempest he gives us full
particulars. No vessel, whatever her dimeu-
sions, will be safe out of harbor. "As the wind
awill blow from the southeast, the planetary
i" force will be sufficient to submcrge the low
lands of the American coast, while air cur
"rcnts for several hundred miles along the east
/" side of the Rocky Mountain range will spread
universal destruction" 1t will be seen that
Professor E. Stone Higgins, LID, is ON the
track of no playful zephyr. He is no timorous
prophet. His first prediction amounts to more
that all OF NennOr's put together. He has biz
blow now, whether he gets one In March or not.
Of his sincerity we have no means of Judging.
Several years ago, when a New-England
maiden lady of advanced years Predicted the
rapidly approaching end of the world, she con-
viuced sceptcnl persons of the sincerity of her
belief by showing them her ascension robe. al
ready prepared, with n pickering string at the |
bottom which she intended to pull the instant
her feet left the ground. If Professor f. Stone |
Higgins LID, would betale himself TO an ex-
posed spot in the territory threatened by his |
storm and there dig for his accommodation sub |
teranean observatory, where lie could witness |
the devastation OF the tempest, he might con- |
vince people that he really believed his own |
prediction. Or if he were to hire the Mammoth |
Cave and fit it up IA hotel, warranted safe |
from the storm, he wOuld at least furnish a |
reason for the faith which he says Is in him. |
Unless he does something of this kind the pub |
lie is likely to 20 calmly on its way and not even
take the trouble TO tic its hat on OF carry an
umbrella. If Professor L. Stone Higgins
LID, 10 right, the rent of Easements and sub. |