One Hundred Proofs That the Earth Is Not a GlobeCarpenter, William
Science
One Hundred Proofs That the Earth Is Not a Globe
Carpenter, William
Earth (Planet) -- Miscellanea
94. In "Cornell's Geography" there is an "Illustrated proof of the Form
of the Earth." A curved line on which is represented a ship in four
positions, as she sails away from an observer, is an arc of 72 degrees,
or one-fifth of the supposed circumference of the "globe"--about 5,000
miles. Ten such ships as those which are given in the picture would
reach the full length of the "arc," making 500 miles as the length
of the ship. The man, in the picture, who is watching the ship as she
sails away, is about 200 miles high; and the tower, from which he takes
an elevated view, at least 500 miles high. These are the proportions,
then, of men, towers, and ships which are necessary in order to see
a ship, in her different positions, as she "rounds the curve" of the
"great hill of water" over which she is supposed to be sailing: for,
it must be remembered that this supposed "proof" depends upon lines
and angles of vision which, if enlarged, would still retain their
characteristics. Now, since ships are not built 500 miles long,
with masts in proportion, and men are not quite 200 miles high,
it is not what it is said to be--a proof of rotundity--but, either
an ignorant farce or a cruel piece of deception. In short, it is a
proof that the Earth is not a globe.
95. In "Cornell's Intermediate Geography," (1881) page 12, is an
"Illustration of the Natural Divisions of Land and Water." This
illustration is so nicely drawn that it affords, at once, a striking
proof that Earth is a plane. It is true to nature, and bears the
stamp of no astronomer-artist. It is a pictorial proof that Earth is
not a globe.
96. If we refer to the diagram in "Cornell's Geography," page 4, and
notice the ship in its position the most remote from the observer, we
shall find that, though it is about 4,000 miles away, it is the same
size as the ship that is nearest to him, distant about 700 miles! This
is an illustration of the way in which astronomers ignore the laws
of perspective. This course is necessary, or they would be compelled
to lay bare the fallacy of their dogmas. In short, there is, in this
matter, a proof that the Earth is not a globe.
97. Mr. Hind, the English astronomer, says: "The simplicity with
which the seasons are explained by the revolution of the Earth in her
orbit and the obliquity of the ecliptic, may certainly be adduced as a
strong presumptive proof of the correctness"--of the Newtonian theory;
"for on no other rational suppositions with respect to the relations
of the Earth and Sun, can these and other as well-known phenomena,
be accounted for." But, as true philosophy has no "suppositions"
at all--and has nothing to do with "suppositions"--and the phenomena
spoken of are thoroughly explained by facts, the "presumptive proof"
falls to the ground, covered with the ridicule it so richly deserves;
and out of the dust of Mr. Hind's "rational suppositions" we see
standing before us a proof that Earth is not a globe.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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