The Republican. [volume] (Oakland, Md.) 1877-current, 1882-10-21
Symmes' Theory.

| SymmeS' Theory.
| The two most important features Of
John Cleves Symmes' theory are that al
obicular bodies in the universe partakine
OF a planetary nature are composed in q
greater or less degree of spheres con.
centric, one within the other, and tC
some extent open at their poles and that
gravity is due to the pressure of an i'm.
| palpable element composed of minute
concentric spheres, existent throughout
all space, elastic, and changing its mole.
cules by any change of matter whatever
throughout space. To this substance
Captain Symmes attributes gravity
making it a pushing instead of pulling
force, as it is now generally held to be
But this latter theory of gravitation he
holds not to be essential to his theory Of
concentric circles, which circles would
be formed upon the old theory of gray
itation.
Captain Symmes' published notes or
explanations of his theory, which he
called memoirs. Memoir No. Ii. saws
with divlderS describe a circle on a
plane of matter of loose texture, and in
the center add very small circle; then
draw line through the center. 1t is
evident (as matter gravitates matter in
proportion to quantity and distance) that
either half the inner circle, being almost
equally surrounded by matter, must be
very little gravitated centerwise; so being
suspended, only rotary motion is needed
to throw it compactly toward the outer
circle. This being admitted, it follows
that halfway from the outer to the inner
side of this circle of matter so thrown
out, like rarity, suspension, or balance
of gravity should prevail, and hence a
disposition to concentric circles there.
fore it follows that successive similar
subdivisions should exist, gradually less
ening in force or quantity. By applying
this principle to the earth, | found the
necessity of hollow, concentric spheres
A decision of school-men on these lines
shall be followed by additional positions,
further explaining my new principles OF
hollow spheres, open at the poles, de.
clared in a circular letter of the 10th OF
April, 1918,
John CLEvEs SYMMEs,
OF Ohio, late Captain of Infantry.
L HIS 10 blIJ DGlolS VI - lllllICS JlltOl .
This theory he maintained with great
earnestness. courage and disinterested-
ness during large portion of his life, and
were he living now he would in all like
lihood be doughtily contending for il
still, accommodating his theory to the
Mares expedition which went where he
declared irrefutable optical proof could
be had of the polar openings-and all
other discoveries whatsoever.
Among other arguments that he
brought to his support We're the migra.
tons of animals to and from the arctic
regions, atmospheric refraction, and the
variation of the compass observed in high
northern ATTITUDES. He supposed that
there must exist "mid-plane spaces in
each of the spheres, and believed the
interior of the inclosed spheres to be
! lighted by the direct and refracted rays
of the sun. Each of these spheres he
supposed to be widely open at the poles,
The planes of these polar openings were
said to be inclined to the plane of the
ecliptic at an angle of about twelve de
grees, so that the real axis of the earth
being perpendicular to the plane of the
equator, would form an angle of twelve
degrees with line passing through the
sphere at right angles with the polar
openings, and consequently the verge
Cor edge) of the polar openings mus
approach several degrees nearer to the
earth's equator on one side than on the
other.
Symmes believed that there were be.
meath our feet miles and miles of won
drous unclaimed domain; reindeer
roamed its colder borders, fish swan in
its seas, animals and trees and flowers OF
curious and unknown shape made its
life primal gladness; splendid visions
of untold wonders, misty dreams OF
splendors unnamable floated through his
nightly and daily thoughts, and greater
than all burned within him the ceaseless
desire to become the discoverer of this
unknown land. And the only thing
needful was for the Government to ira
verse the ''icy circle" pierce the polar
opening, and sail in and take possession
-perchance to find man, to meet a
mighty race of people, to come face to
face with some stupendouS revelation of
nature, to explore some splendid barbar-
ism, or disclose a civilization as yet un-
dreamed +. +. Madden, IN Harper s
Magazine.
m 49, u