SCIENTIFIC WAGER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume VIII, Issue 2422, 30 October 1871, Page 3

SCIENTIFIC WAGER.

THE JOKII OF THB BABTH —A SHOCK OF OPINIONS. Thb London papers report that an action arising out of a scientific wager between John Hampden and Alfred Ruisell Wallace, as to whether the earth is " round or flat," hasbeen decided in the secondary court, Guildhall. 3VIr. ltd ward Clarke, barrister, applied, under a writ of enquiry, for damages issued in tb.e cause, consequent upon judgement going by default against John Hampden. The learned counsel, in a lucid (tatem.nt, explained that an action which had been brought by Mr. Wallace against Mr." Hampden fora gros» libel that had been published" and circulated by the defendant had been suffered to go by default, and that tbe plaintiff ia consequence

ought the daroagee he wiu entitl.-d to. Mr. Walla™, he said, waa a gentleman of high reputation, and was a member of several learned aud scientific societies. He became acquainted with the defendant at the end of lv fT , £ br ° UeU a clla Uenge that lie published, offering to state £500 again.t£4oo of any other scientific man, and to prove that the world was a flat bodj, and not round, as Waa generally believed to be the cass. Finding that some time elap-ed before his challenge was noticed, he went further, and stated that scientific man knew they were guilty of aa imposition in propounding the round theory, and that they were in consequence afraid to take up the challenge. Mr. Wallace subsequently answered the challenge and lodged his £500 with that of Mr. Hampden's at Coutts' bank, to be drawn out and handed over to the party in whose favour the arbitrators decided, after the proposed experiments had been gone through. The defendant proposed that the experiments should take place at the Bedford level. Mr. Wallace was quite content, and the trial was accordingly proceeded with. It was very simple, l'here were three long staves of equal length. One was placed on the Bedford canal, another was placed at a distance of three miles, and the third also at the same distance, A telescope was employed, through' which it was clearly and unmistakably perceived that the centre stave wao five feet above the line of the telescope, which at ouce proved that the earth wa3 not flat, but oval. Mr. Hampden accordingly expressed himself satisfied, and the money was paid over to Mr. Wallace by' Mr. Waleh, of the Field newspaper, wbo had stood as referee. Some time after this, Hampden issued a publication of hie own, in which he denounced Mr. Wallace as a "liar," a"swindler," and everything that was bad : , persisting at; the same time that his (Hγ;. Hampden's) was the correct theory. The libels, which were of the grossest nature, were aggravated b_v the defendant assenting that Mr. Wallace" was afraid to go into court. Mr. Wallace l»ao been eminently forbearing, but owing to the persistence of Mr. Hampden was compelled to take the present steps for his protection. Mr. Wallace was called, and stated that he had experienced a great deal of annoyartfe , in consequence of Mr. Hampden's conduct, and the jury, after a short deliberation, found a verdict of £600 for the plaintiff.