Show PROVED CURVATURE OF EARTH 5 Scientist t Settled Dl Disputed Question But Loser Proved Himself to Be U Poor Sport It will will scarcely be believed that the Question of ot the shape of ot the earth could ever v r have disturbed the peaceful peace peace- ful atmosphere of ot the law courts Yet in 1879 the question Indirectly indeed did id come before three learned Judges and the case excited a deal dea of ot interest interest inter inter- est and amazement The circumstances were as s fol follows The plain plaintiff tift one Hampden entertained enter enter- the opinion that the world was wa not round and Issued an nn advertisement advertisement advertise advertise- ment In a paper challenging philosophers philosophers philosophers divines and scientific professors to prove contrary from Scripture reason yea rea eaRon son Ron or fact He deposited 2500 in a bank bank- to be forfeited to anyone who could prove to the satisfaction of ot any Intelligent referee that there was such sucha a thing as a convex railway canal or lak lake The challenge was taken up by no noless noless noless less a person than the late Prof Alfred flu Russell Vall Wallace ace who proved to th the satisfaction of the referee the curvature curvature curvature curva curva- ture to and fro tro of the Derf rd level canal between Whitney bridge and Welshs Welsh's dam six miles to the extent of ot five feet more or less and the was paid over to him But he did not keep it The plaintiff plaintiff plain plain- tiff apparently began to o see that iwas i lie te was making a fool tool of himself and and brought an nn action and recovered red back his deposit on the ground that the affair was a wager and t therefore therefore there there- ere ere- fo fore e Illegal Springfield Springfield eld Rep Republican |