The Moon In Danger—To the Rescue.

Auckland Star, Volume XXI, Issue 4124, 22 September 1883, Page 6 (Supplement)

The Moon In Danger—To the Rescue.

(To the Editor.) Sir, —I see by the Stak Supplement of September Bth that a warlike spirit pervades the " Ghost of Copernicus." I was never afraid of a ghost in my life, and am not now going to bo frightened by the shadow of one. This spirit who threatens to pound " Torpedo," will find that "Torpedo," with his plain truths, will soon damage, pull down, and scatter to the winds all tho structures of gilded sophistry that are built up by tho " Ghost of Copernicus."

It was the presumptive tone which drew " Torpedo's " attention when the "Ghost" came forward as the teacher of teachers, •'infallibleinseientiflclaw,"ond told visit was a very simple and easy matter to account for the moon not turning its different sides to the earth (although no scientist before could explain the reason why). Tho " Ghost's" explanation wasthat themoonhas a heavy sido, and this is attracted to the earth by the same law as the apple is t<j the ground when it falls from tho tree, and this the " Ghost " liretends, " with many funny expressions that are not in harmony with gravity," fully explains this strange phenomena.

In treating upon the sciences, which is simply treating upon the laws that govern the universe, it is not desirable that we should furthor mystify by expressions that are not in harmony with those laws ; thuro is nothing funny in the laws of Nature, but that which is very wonderful, and much that is strange. Everyone enjoys fun, and funny expressions ; but there is a place for everything, and everything should be in its place, particularly so when treating upon science. Why do we study the sciences ? It is to try and unravel that which has been wrapped in mystery ; and so, in becoming acquainted with tho laws that govern tho universe, we become in mind more like tho Great Builder Himself. And if we discuss on any of the sciences for tho sako of getting at the truth, and wo find that in discussing wo have mado a serious error, we should not try and wriggle out of the mistake made by twisting words or putting others in to suit ourselves, and so alter tho first meaning, but for the love of truth admit the error; and certainly a very serious ono the "Ghost" fell into when he talked of the moon having a hoary side in- connection with gravity. There can bo no heavy fide from gravity— all the sides being of equal weight—and if tho " Ghost" falls into such grave mistakes he will soon get buried up and lost from the scientific world. The " Ghost,"' in telling us it is the same law that attracts the apple and also keops the moon -in space with tho one side continually turned totheoarth.is simply giving his opinion; there is no proof deduced ; so how can he attempt to call it an explanation of this strange phenomenon? This explanation willnot stand the light of reason. When we use a parallel to illustrate any law or teaching, it should be in harmony with that we wish to illustrate; and if tho apple fulling to the earth is used as an illustration of the earth's power over the moon, I think wo then ought to explain how it is that the moon, for those many thousands of years is still held off from tho earth in an orbit of tho same distance, and without coining nearer, and eventually falling upon tho earth as the apple did, and which was brought down by the law of affinity, or, in other words, " chemical attraction," and by this and no other law can the falling of the apple be accounted for. Who can provo that chemical attraction and gravition are not, in part, ono and the same thing? and tho jocular remarks of the "Ghost" upon this matter do not prove anything to the oontrary ; and this jocular style is a weapon that is often used by tho weak in argument to wriggle out of some falso position thoy have taken. In reference to a problem tho " Ghost " would like to see solved re "Tho Orbits of Planets," I refer him to "Mystery," which will shortly be bofore the public, and remain still and always will " not smoke," but yours, &c,, Torpedo. [We think there is too much being made of a question which, if not a mere matter of moonshine, certainly tends to disturb " gravity " and perhaps induce lunacy ; and wo therefore hope thin is the last word on the subject. To tUo "Ghost" wo urgo the prayer—" Rest, rest, perturbed spirit," and wo trust tho " Torpedo" will not blow us up.—Ed. Star.]