Part 7

"The entire work is very ingeniously gotten up.... The matter of perspective is treated in a very clever manner, and the coming up of 'hull-down' vessels on the horizon is illustrated by several well-worded examples."--Buffalo Times, Dec. 28, 1885.

"The erudite author, who travels armed with plans and specifications to fire at the skeptical at a moment's notice, feels that he is doing a good work, and that his hundred anti-globular conclusions must certainly knock the general belief in territorial rotundity out of time."...

"We trust that the distinguished author who has failed to coax Richard Proctor into a public discussion may find as many citizens willing to invest two shillings in his peculiar literature as he deserves."--Buffalo Courier, Dec. 27, 1885, and Jan. 1, 1886.

"It is a pleasure now to see a man of Mr. Carpenter's attainments fall into line and take up the cudgels against the theories of the scientists who have taught this pernicious doctrine [the sphericity of the earth]."--Rochester Morning Herald, Jan. 13, 1886.

"As the game stands now, there is 'one horse' for Prof. Carpenter."--Buffalo World, Jan. 16, 1886.

"It is interesting to show how much can be said in favor of the flat world theory.... It is fairly well written, although, we believe filled with misstatements of facts."--Rochester Democrat and Chronicle, Jan. 17, 1886. [We "believe" the editor cannot point one out.]

"It is certainly worth twice the price, and will be read by all with peculiar interest."--Scranton Truth, March 8, 1886.

"Mr. William Carpenter has come to Washington with a "hundred proofs that the earth is not a globe." He has a pamphlet on the subject which is ingenious, to say the least, and he is ominously eager to discuss the matter with any one who still clings to the absurd prejudices of the astronomers."--The Hatchet, May 9, 1886.

"It contains some curious problems for solution, and the author boldly asserts that until they are solved the globular theory of the earth remains unproven, and is fallacious, &c."--The Presbyterian, Philadelphia, June 19, 1886.

"His reasoning is, to say the least, plausible, and the book interesting."--The Item, Philadelphia, June 10, 1886.

"Mr. Carpenter seems to have made a thorough investigation of the subject, and his arguments are practical and to the point."--Sunday Mercury, Philadelphia, June 13, 1886.

"A gentleman has just called at the editorial rooms with a pamphlet which is designed to demonstrate that the earth is not a globe, but a flat disk; he also laid before us a chart from which it plainly appeared that the earth is a circular expanse of land, with the north pole in the exact center, and the Antarctic Sea flowing all around the land.... We went on to state that we lodged the care of all astronomical questions in the hands of Rev. R. M. Luther, to whom these perplexing matters are but as child's play.... Our readers may, therefore, expect at an early date a judicial view of the astronomical and cosmological situation."--National Baptist, Philadelphia, July 8, 1886. Editor, Dr. Wayland. [We hope that the Rev. R. M. Luther will give us the means of publishing his decision before many more editions of the "Hundred Proofs" be issued. We are afraid that he finds the business much more than "child's play."]

"'One Hundred Proofs that the Earth is Not a Globe,' by William Carpenter, is published by the author, whose novel and rather startling position is certainly fortified by a number of argumentative points, which, if they do not shake the reader's preconceived notions on the subject, will, at least, be found entertaining for the style in which they are put."--Evening Star, Philadelphia, July 22, 1886.

"His 'Proofs' go a long way towards convincing many that his ideas on the subject are practical and sensible."--Fashion Journal, Philadelphia, July, 1886. Editor, Mrs. F. E. Benedict.

"'One Hundred Proofs that the Earth is Not a Globe' is a curious little pamphlet that we can commend to all interested in astronomy and related sciences. It may not upset received notions on the subject, but will give cause for much serious reflection. Published by the author, Wm. Carpenter, Baltimore, Md. Price 25 cents."--The Saturday Evening Post, Philadelphia, July 31, 1886.

"Here now is an able thinker of Baltimore, Professor William Carpenter, who presents the claims of the Zetetic philosophy to be considered the leading issue of our times.... One of the great proofs of the truth of the philosophy is that the regular astronomers do not dare to gainsay it.... They are well aware there is no South pole.... Prof. Carpenter, in a treatise that has reached us, furnishes 100 proofs that the earth is flat, and while we cannot say that we understand all of them we appreciate the earnestness of his appeals to the moral people of the community to rise up and overthrow the miserable system of error that is being forced upon our children in the public schools, vitiating the very foundations of knowledge. What issue can be more noble or inspiring than Truth vs. Error? Here is an issue on which there can be no trifling or compromise. In the great contest between those who hold the earth is flat and they who contend that it is round, let the flats assert themselves."--Milwaukee Sentinel, Aug., 1886. [From a long article, "The Great Zetetic Issue."]

LETTERS TO PROFESSOR GILMAN, OF THE JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY.

71 Chew Street, Baltimore, September 10, 1886.

Prof. Gilman, Johns Hopkins University--Sir: On the 21st ultimo I wrote to ask you if you received the pamphlet, which I left for you at the University twelve months ago, entitled "One Hundred Proofs that the Earth is Not a Globe," and, if so, that you would kindly give me your opinion concerning it. I write, now, to ask you if you received my letter. I am quite sure that you will consider that the importance of the subject fully warrants the endeavor on my part to gain the views which may be entertained by you respecting it. The fifth edition will soon be called for, and anything you may urge--for or against--I shall be happy to insert in the "appendix." I send, herewith, a copy of the fourth edition of the pamphlet.

Yours sincerely, William Carpenter.

71 Chew Street, Baltimore, October 7, 1886.

Professor Gilman--Dear Sir: I am now preparing the appendix for the fifth edition of my "One Hundred Proofs that the Earth is Not a Globe," and I should be glad to receive your opinion of this work to insert in the said appendix. I can offer you from a few lines to a page, or two if necessary. Of course, if this work as a whole be a fraud, it must be fraudulent in all its parts; and each one of the "hundred proofs" must contain a fallacy of some kind or other, and the thing would justify your disapprobation--expressed in few words or many. If, on the other hand, the work is what it professes to be, it will certainly claim your approval. Yours sincerely, W. Carpenter.

71 Chew Street, Baltimore, October 14, 1886.

Prof. Gilman--Dear Sir: A week ago I wrote you a letter to tell you that I should be glad to receive your opinion of the "Hundred Proofs that the Earth is Not a Globe," of which work 5,000 copies are now in circulation. I wrote this work (26 pages) in one week, without neglecting my daily business: surely, you can reply to it in a week from this time. I will give you from one to four pages, if you wish that amount of space, and send you fifty copies, if you desire to have them, without putting you to the slightest expense. I will even take any suggestion you please to make as to the title which shall be given to this extra edition of my work containing your reply or opinions. I should be sorry to be under the necessity of printing this letter, with others, in my next edition, in the place of any such reply or expression of opinion; for I feel sure there is no one in Baltimore who is more capable of giving an opinion on this great subject. Trusting to hear from you in a few days, I am, Dear Sir, Yours truly,

William Carpenter.

71 Chew Street, Baltimore, October 22, 1886.

Prof. Gilman--Sir: This is the fifth letter--and the last--to you, asking you for an expression of your opinion concerning the "One Hundred Proofs that the Earth is Not a Globe." Which would you prefer--to see my words, or yours, in print? I give you a week in which to decide.

Truly, William Carpenter.