The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1883-03-13
PROFESSOR VIRGINS.
The Canadian Ass Cltims to Be Satisfied
with His Storm.


ottawa Special to New York Sun.
Professor Virgins was besieged with re-
porters to-day. The reporter for the Sun
found the prophet surrounded in the parlor
of his residence with ladies and gentlemen,
all extending to him their congratulations.
His countenance indicated that he had
achieved a triumph. His WIFE, who shares
his interest in the prophetic work, was pres
ent, and seemed to be quite enthusiastic over
the success of her husbands storm She is
talented and charming lady, and is a frequent
contributor to the press under the nom de
plume of "Brunhilda"
The reporter read over to the Professor a
number of dispatches giving the effects of
his storm at different points on the Atlantic
coast. He smiled and said: 'They wanted
storm, and got it at last. The storm came
exactly on time, and struck the North Amer
lean continent at the hour named. 1t took
the course | laid down, and which Hazen
said no storm would or could take. The
danger is not over yet, as the moon was pass
ing the meridian to-day | am very anxious
to hear from India and the Bay of Bengal,
where the forces of my storm first origna-
ted. / am led to believe that the storm was
general over the whole world. Otherwise it
might have been more disastrous than it has
been. 1t was merely as an astronomer, and
not as weather prophet, that was able to
foresee the storm. l would like to go around
and see its effects"
At this his wife looked up, came over to
where he was seated, and with an affectionate
smile said: But not around the whole
world?'
The ProfessorAOh, no; just around the At
lantic coast.
Reporter Meteorologists said some hard
things about you on this point
The Professor-Surely they will now begin
to see that astronomy has more to do with
the weather of the earth than any other sci
ence.
Reporter-Then it was by astronomical de-
auctions your forecast was arrived at?
The Professor with emphasis)-Yes, and |
consider that it has been fulfilled to the let
ter.
The Professor here read telegram from
Quebec, sent some days ago, asking if the
storm would be severe in that district He
answered that the object of his prediction
was not to warn people on land, but to warn
people to keep off the sea. 1.-THE public" he
said, "has misunderstood me in this re-
spect."
Reporter-Many storms have occurred with
in the past few days Can you account for
them?
The Professor-The fact is that branches of
my storm have been raging since the 9Th
and you will remember in my letter to the
Admiralty l warned them to have all vessels
under their command in safe harbors not
later than the 5th
Reporter-What do You think of the criti-
cisms Of the United States press?
The Professor-They have condemned nv
theory on tine assumption that all storms are
caused by sun-spots, owing to a decrease in
the solar light. No doubt the breaking out
of these spots in some way affects our cleo
trical condition, for we Immediately notice a
thrill in the electric needle, but there is not
the slightest truth in the assertion that these
spots have anything whatever to do in caus-
ing terrestrial storms. As l predicted last
autumn, the winter of 1888 has been one of
the most remarkable of the present century,
owing to certain position of the planets
that seldom occurs. / frequently gave
out that the floods of Europe would
be in America in February, also
said that tine winter of 1888 would be re-
markable for mountains of snow. When
asked early in January as to the condition of
the weather for the Montreal carnival, l
pointedly contradicted Vennors predictions
and said it would be impossible to have any
thing else than clear and cold weather /
was correct also, in the prediction of some
months ago that there would be no January
thaw this year, and Vennor was wrong
Reporter Would you disclose your
theory?
The Professor-No; I will say nothing
about that just now. You ask; docs any
one know lt?'' No. there is not a
man living to-day who knows the sys-
tenn upon which l predict storms
1t is just as easy to predict a storm
one hundred years in advance as it is in
twenty-four hours, if you proceed ON scen-
tiic principles-that is as l proceed You
see, have been at this for twenty years.
Reporter-What are the prospects concern
ing foods?
The Professor-This will be an unusual
year for floods which will occur all over the
70. ,l.,@T
be an absolute fact; the hour at which great
storms will arise; whether they will arise at
different points; when a severe cold period
like January will occur; when remarkable
floods will take place. and when winters will
be distinguished for great quantities of snow