National Republican., 1886-09-16
Enrlhnunhn and weather selenee.


During the past two or three years some
very significant facts and important coinci-
dences have been discovered which seem
likely to throw much light on this interest
ing branch Of the subject. The coming
earthquake period, which, as the equinox
is iteelf an earthquake factor, is likely 10
make some preliminary demonstrations
about the 22d though not really due till,
say, the 25th or Goth, will, doubtless furnish
important aid In the solution Of this ques-
tlon. As test on this matter we will sug-
gest the probability, based on facts hitherto
observed, that during this period the lat!-
tudinal belt OF shocks will overlap the
equator and extend farther into the south
orn hemisphere than the last one, yet man
ifesting itself on both sides Of the equator.
When we realize that the catastrophe
forces hold within their giant and terrific
grasp the entire planet from pole to pole
and from center TO circumference, 1t is graf
flying and cheering TO find, from time to
time, new evidence Of the benevolent ends
and purposes which they were clearly de-
signed logically to accomplish. The dis
tinguished engineer and astronomer, DIR.
Virgins, Of Ottawa, Canada, In his effort
to account for the recent earthquakes, has
suggested, and by no means without some
logical reasons, however improbable, in the
present case, that change has taken place
in the central point Of the specific gravity of
the globe. Many things consplre to menace
permanent stability. Such q change is one
of the contingencies that might easily
arilt
under conditions that are far
from impossible. Indeed, the geological
records which our planet has plainly written
concerning its past history 20 to prove,
without possibility OF doubt, that the
earth has experienced just such a change
on q most gigantic scale. Just now, during
the current seven.year earthquake era,
| physical causes are rapidly and potently at
work, tending for brief period directly to
such n result. The geysers, as well as vol
canoes, are at once the results Of such ten
denotes, and at the same time they are
safety valves working for relief and preveu-
ton. Few, probably, are aware that during
the catastrophe eras great changes are con-
stantly In progress in the polar seas that
pointedly menace the equilibrium Of our
planet; nor are the constant changes
slowly wrought out by human agency
from age to age, by no means In
significant Mining operations are con.
slant and cumulative assault, however
slow, on the earth's permanent stability
however inappreciable may be their results
from day to day. The stupendous yield o
petroleum is exhaustive, however measurei
the process from one year to another. Yet
amid all these ominous tendencies, ther
stands out conspicuously in bold relief, II
clear and prominent outlines, challenging
alike the hopeful confidence and faith o
man, the constantly reinforcing proofs o
the exhaustless wealth, of varied quallt
and character, that is stored away betwee
and beneath the rocky ribs that are strongl
built into the massive framework tina
holds in fixed lrmness the gigantic forr
and figure OF our globe, and speaks 1t 70
ages yet to come the happy abode of ma
and fitting footstool OF its maker, God.