Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1890-03-08
WHAT Is THE EARTH?
Prof. Gore on the Primitive Motions of
Its Shape and Structure.

'Some primitive notions concerning the
earth, its shape and structure" Such was the
topic Of the lecture delivered by Prof. J. II.
Gore at the Columbian university yestesday
afternoon in The presence of great many folks
whose eyes were opened to find that the an
clients used TO have any idea whatever concern
ing this floating ball, and that those were,
to . large extent, founded on the logic Of
the times, in itself rather fimsy and largely
ridiculous. The lecturer said that there
is an innate longing in man to learn all
about his surroundings and he is always asking
himself or somebody else what is the size,
shape and material of some unknown object
both within and without reaching distance. 1t
was this tendency that has given to the world
the greatest inventions and has cleared away
the doubts that have hung over the formation
and position OF the earth from the earliest
ages until the problems were solved by Copper
NOUS and Newton. There is q mistaken idea
ABOUT the real scope of the term primitive
notions, the lecturer said. for such notions
exist today as we'll as before the Christian era
not so numerous and widespread or so erro-
neous, to be sure, but yet just as primitive.
THE SUPERSTITION OF THE AMERICAN INDIAN
is case in point This fact is so important an
element in the advance made by discoveries
about the earth that chronology plays but
mans intellect and knowledge IN this diEec-
ton. The fact that the earth from q height
appears as a vast plain gave rise to many of the
ridiculous and fanciful theories as to the nature
OF the earth. and from this fact may probably
be traced the complimentary and la0datory
myths which were devised by some of the an
clients. asserting that the particular nation in
terested was situated in the most valuable of all
the spots on the surface.
EARLY MAP MAKERS.
Early maps show some absurd preponder-
ances OF size and apparent Importance in the
location Of the countries from which the maps
originated. and from this fact it is not difficult
to trace the names of these early map makers
through their own egotism. 1t was all based
on the Hub theory" which is not confined to
Boston alone by long odds. for it is directly
traceabie to the Chinese at n very early date.
In fact there are Few national records that do
not show that at some time in the history of
each society there was an idea advanced 10
show that it was in the particular center of the
universe. This was aided by the apparent
centering of the surroundings when one looks
at the sky and notes that the horizon is ut an
even distance away in all directions.
FLAT ISLAND.
One of the earliest ideas of the earth was that
it was an immense fat island surrounded by a
great ocean in which there were several small
islands inhabited by horrible creatures. The
notion OF an universal ocean was very strong
Then the rounding Of the horizon came to
lead men to believe that the earth was a circle.
and in most of the future theories this was the
shape given to it. The Buddhists priests said
that the earth was a huge circle supported by
twelve columns, which in turn were supported
by the influence of their sacrifices. The sun
was supposed to travel under the earth be-
tween these columns every day, thus giving
the alteration of day and night. The Hindoos
were among the first to advance the spherical
theory, but they went but half way Their
notion was that the earth was hemisphere,
more in the shape of boat turned upside
down. This was supposed to rest upon the
head OF an immense elephant, which stood on
the back OF a tortoise. When they were
asked where the tortoise rested they replied
that he swan in the great ocean.
ABOUT THE OCEAN
The next question was poser, but it was
finally answered to the satisfaction of all. The
ocean they said, went all the way to the bot
tom. Thus every science has advanced its line
of Interrogation points until the final answer
has been reached. The floating earth was a
favorite with several nations. one of which had
the idea that it was cylinder, the upper half
only being inhabited. When asked why it did
not tip over they replied that there was no
reason why it should tip to one side rather
than the other, and SO from sheer INDIGESTION If
did neither and remained stationary. One OF
port of the earth being compressed air. The
Greenlanders thought that it was sup
ported or pillars that were worn and cracked
with age and SO occasionally gave way and let
the earth down and gave rise TO the phe-
nomena OF earthquakes. Pythagoras was
one of the earliest philosophers to claim that
the earth was a sphere, inhabited everywhere,
but he lacked the power to force this heretical
doctrine upon the bigorty of the age-the same
bIgotry that has been stumbling block to
advanced thinkers from time immemorable.
Cosmos, in 535 A. D., advanced some curious
notions in book entitled Christian Topog-
raphy." He said that the earth was paralieio-
gram placed on plane service. the inner sides
only being inhabited, men living there like
birds in a cage. Beyond the earth was a great
ocean and still farther beyond was an unat-
tainable paradise. The venerable Bede thought
that the earthwas an egg, surrounded by water.
air and fire, all Ill the shape of other eggs and
floating as in a basin.
Thus some of the early notions. which,
making no Roadway. we're like many soldiers
beating time with their feet and not marching
But others were at the same time making pro-
gress. and to the men like Calico and Newton
and Copernicus is due vast deal OF the light
that now shines OF science.
Written for TIE EVENING STAR.
The Song of the Master.
"The towering moments of the mind
Drop half their petals in our speech
%. W. HOLMES.
Ay, echos thin! though clarion-toned he be:
Godlike with frenzy of an instance power.
TITS gone-the dim, the dawn-scent of the
flower.
Lone-revelling, DER Fancys shoreles sea,
The light-the fittul fame-tle mystery;
a glow, a grace. dream--d:vinest dover.
In temples lowly, weak; in sun-crowned tower
In scorn Of world-stained eyes; they chase-ye
fee.
In memory-in dead-years waning ghost,
He seeks the keys-he seeks the song to tell
1t trembles-moves. From thought to thought
unwound-
Love, Hope, deep Joy, deep grief-tumuItuous
host.
Shrined In the souls delight-the rhythm's spell,
He sweeps the Tyre; but Loan empty sound.
r. j. MCELHINSEY.
She Choked a Lunatic.
Mrs. Mary Peterson, while sitting in her
kitchen in Chicago last evening, was attacked
by Albert Jensen a lunatic, who had escaped
from Michigan asylum. He fired at her sew
eral times, but she clutched him by the throat