carbon exists in combination with some, not welcome many such as those which decomposing element such as oxygen or hydrogen in this condition it is supposable that a moderate amount of solar heat would set up a combustion and satisfy the observed conditions. In the observations by Dr. Huggins, which revealed this carbon-vapour source of cometary light, the actual identity was established between it and the light of an electric spark passing through olefiant gas. It is open to conjecture whether electricity is in any way concerned in producing the light in the case of the comet. The largely gaseous composition of these comets was further evidenced by their feeble powers of reflection: had there been any considerable amount of solid matter in them they would have exhibited reflected sunlight, which could have been detected by the spectroscope, but which was scarcely discernible. This is a further proof of the extreme tenuity of cometary matter. Still it can hardly be doubted that there is some solid matter in the nuclei of comets. We know for a certainty in two cases that the tracks of comets are besprinkled with meteoric particles. This seems to show either that the comet left the meteors behind it cast them off as it were like ashes dropped from a locomotive along its route or that the meteors have been partially gathered into a crowd to form a comet. Either supposition lands us at the conclusion that a comet is an aggregation of meteoric matter. Professor Tait so regards a cometary nucleus, in his recently announced theory; and he explains the apparent difficulty presented by the spectroscopic evidence of gaseous constitution by assuming that the small masses composing the crowd impinge on one another, and on other matter circulating round the sun, and thus produce the luminous gases which Dr. Huggins's observations have revealed. The meteoric-aggregation theory is consoling as regards the contingency of a cometary collision; for if a comet is only a thicker, denser crowd of the same scraps of matter that give rise to the now familiar star-showers, then the consequence of its actually colliding with the earth would presumably be nothing more than an unusually superb display of meteoric pyrotechny. The particles driving at us with planetary velocity would be ignited and burnt up in our atmosphere, and their bombardment would be rendered harmless: at most perhaps a few score of the larger masses might come to the earth as they have in former times, though we should were lately found on the shores of Greenland, one of which weighed twenty-one tons. The consequences of a battering even by mere pea-sized meteorites moving with planetary velocity-fifty or sixty times that of a cannon ball would be fearfully destructive were it not for our atmospheric shield, by which, as Dr. Joule so clearly pointed out twenty-five years ago, "the velocity of the meteoric stone is checked and its living force converted into heat, which at last becomes so intense as to melt the body and dissipate it in fragments too small probably to be noticed in their fall to the ground." This may be the saving condition to which we alluded when we hinted that although there is no known provision of nature for preventing a cometary collision, there may be provision for rendering such an event harmless to the earth's habitants. And in anticipating actual collision we anticipate the worst, and the worst appears to be something rather to be welcomed for its probable beauty than feared for its possible danger. On one point we want assurance, and that is on the chemical or thermal condition of a formidable looking comet. That such a body would appear is the devout wish of astronomical investigators: they would settle this and other points for their own ends, and then whoever has the will may have the power to indicate still more conclusively than we have done what would be the actual consequences of cometary collision, if that one chance of such an event in the many millions against it should happen while the earth is in its present form and condition. JAMES CARPENTER. From The N.Y. Evening Post. EXCAVATIONS ON THE SITE OF ANCIENT TROY. RELICS OF THE AGE OF STONE. THE Star (Aster) of Athens, Greece, of January 8th, old style (20th, new style), contains a letter from Kissarlik, giving an interesting account of some very recent discoveries made by a gentleman who is exploring the site of ancient Troy, from from which we translate the following: "To my surprise, on Monday, the 30th of October, I suddenly reached a layer in which I found a large number of implements of exceedingly hard black stone. Having on the following day discovered no more stone utensils, but only a small of stone. I refer also to the circular and silver pin, some broken vases with beauti- perforated fragments of pottery found in ful small handles and others with three great abundance in the layers before small feet, with the addition of a fragment alluded to belonging to the age of stone; of a vase bearing the sculptured head of some of them in the shape of tops, others an owl, I now conjectured that I had again in that of volcanic cones. Those of the reached a stratum of remains belonging latter form resemble closely the gigantic to a more cultivated race, and that the tumuli of the district of Troas. For this stone utensils of the previous day be- reason, and because of the stone implelonged to a barbarous race that had con-ments found in one of them that of Kanai quered the country, but whose sover- Tepe, I conjecture that the tumuli belong eignty had not lasted long. I was mis- to the age of stone, and are perhaps older taken, however, for on Wednesday and Thursday I found a vast number of stone implements, which I continue to discover to-day. "Respecting this age of stone, I notice many circumstances, which to me are enigmas. I think it necessary, therefore, to relate the particulars in detail, hoping that some of my brethren, more fortunate than myself, may be able to explain the points that are incomprehensible to me. In the first place, I cannot understand how here, on the highest peak of the hill, I reach, at the depth of four and a half metres, the age of stone; whereas, at a distance of only twenty metres, I last year discovered, at a depth of five metres, walls two metres in thickness, which, as I have already observed, are of no very great antiquity; and, in fact, on pursuing my excavations to the depth of eight metres I came across no trace of the age of stone. I consequently infer that in ancient times the spot where the walls are situated was much lower, so that it was deemed necessary to fortify it; and that, in the succession of ages, that entire locality was so filled up by the rubbish of the building on the height, that it became level with the rest of the summit. Otherwise I do not understand how I can find stone utensils the whole length of my excavations which already exceed fifty-six metres, and as far as the mouth of the great ditch, that is, to the precipitous descent. This seems to me to indicate, that, from the age of stone up to the present time, the hill has not increased at all on this flank by means of deposits of earth. by thousands of years than the Trojan war. The greater part of these circular fragments are of clay, and the ornaments and construction bear a close resemblance to those discovered in the layers I have spoken of. But many of them are of exceedingly hard black stone, and yet of such excellent workmanship, that it is altogether incomprehensible how they could have been fashioned by means of clumsy stone tools. Under all circumstances the round hole that perforates them could not have been made by an implement of stone. On the lower side of these small stone tops, &c., one can observe marks of the disposition of the men of that age to grave ornamental designs; but they lacked appropriate instruments. When examined under the microscope, these perforations leave no room for doubt that they were laboriously made by means of sharp flints. "To my great astonishment I discovered also some Priapic statuettes : one of terracotta, made in a very lifelike manner, and another of stone, in the shape of a pillar, rounded above, but only ten centimetres (about four inches) in length. In this shape I have seen Priapus every where represented in the temples of India. I found also a small figure of the same subject only three centimetres in length, made of a very beautiful white and black marble which does not exist at all in this country. I have no doubt, therefore, that the Trojan race of the stone period worshipped Priapus as a God, and belonged to the Indo-Germanic family, having brought its worship from India, where, as is known by all, Vishnu, the god of crea"It is in like manner difficult for me to tion and destruction, is portrayed and understand how I can find objects em- worshipped in the shape of Priapus. But ployed by the men of the age of stone, not only were the inhabitants of Troas of which it was impossible for them to pro- Indo-Germanic descent, but in all probaduce by means of the stone utensils then bility, they were also the ancestors of the in use. For instance, I find a great num-great Hellenic race; for, as has been menber of broken vases of clay, without orna- tioned, on Tuesday, and again later, fragment but of excellent workmanship. ments of vases were fouud bearing the Their fabricators had undoubtedly need sculptured head of an owl. I found also of contrivances which could not be con- a similar head made in artistic manner structed by means of the tools of the age of hard stone. All these heads must have been likenesses of the head of the progen- in making treaties. Before the end of Sir itor of the bird of Pallas. Henry Bulwer's mission as Minister from "I find also in the strata of the stone Great Britain to the United States Daniel period numerous teeth of the wild boar, Webster came to the head of the Departwhich were uniformly sharp, to serve as ment of State. They had been personal tools; and many spear-heads of hard friends for many years, and when they black stone, so dull, however, that a giant's came together in the capacity of officials, strength would be required to slay a wild the chief idea of the Minister was to obboar with them; besides a very great tain a modification of the Treaty about the number of hammers, axes and handmills, affairs of Nicaragua which had been negoconsisting of two stones, one side being tiated between Secretary Clayton and himconvex the other flat. I find also an abun- self. For reasons that were quite satisdance of knives made of flint, some look- factory to Mr. Webster, he was not willing like true knife-blades, while the ma- ing to consent to any modifications, and jority are simply sharp pieces of flint; his chief idea so far as this subject was besides arrow-heads and sometimes small concerned, was to avoid any prolonged disspoons of bone and clay. I find many cussions with Sir Henry Bulwer, while at fragments ten centimetres long and three the same time he wished to treat him and a half wide, and of unknown use, with the greatest consideration and politewhich resemble whetstones; and a greatness. In June, 1851, Mr. Webster became number of round flat stones, five centi- much interested in some of our trout-fishmetres in diameter, one side of which is colored with red paint. Finally, I meet with many round smooth pieces of baked clay in the form of a quoit, with a hole in the centre, and many stone mortars. "I hope the reader will not smile at my inability to boast of the discovery of statues or other treasures of art. I had no thought of being able to find such things on this spot. My demands were very limited. The only object of my excavations was that I might find the true site of ancient Troy, concerning which a hundred savans have written a hundred excellent treatises, while no one had until now attempted to discover it by excavations. And if I do not attain this object of mine, I shall again consider myself most fortunate if I succeed in reaching, by my excavations, the greatest darkness of the pre-historic times, and in enriching science by the discovery of a few curious pages of the most ancient history of the great Hellenic nation. Instead of discouraging them, therefore, the age of stone has, on the contrary, augmented my longing desire to reach the virgin earth which was trod by the first inhabitants of this land. I wish to reach it even if I must dig to the depth of fifty feet. ing stories connected with the region of Capon Springs, and sending for me on one occasion he said: "I wish you to pilot me the way to the Virginia Valley; and I also wish you to see Sir Henry Bulwer, hand him this note of invitation to visit Capon, and tell him not only all about the beautiful scenery and all that, but also that there is no better spot anywhere to talk about the treaties of Central America." I obeyed orders, and Sir Henry took the bait with great avidity. How Mr. Webster went to Capon and how he made a speech there, and how he enjoyed himself, are facts which have been elsewhere described, but we have now to do with Sir Henry Bulwer. Accompanied by his secretaries he joined Mr. Webster at the Springs, and was quite enthusiastic at the prospect of bringing the great "Expounder " to terms. An entire week had passed and yet not one word had Mr. Webster uttered about the Treaty question. Big trout and long conversations with the farmers and hunters of Virginia, who came by scores to visit Mr. Webster, monopolized his attention. Of course, upon the cool piazza of the great hotel the wily diplomat and the apparently blunt statesman had many agreeable chats, but they were about books and authors and natural history, and never a word about the modification of treaties. Sunday afternoon when the weather was fearfully hot, and the writer was trying to keep Mr. Webster cool by reading to him in his parlor, a message came that Sir Henry wished to speak with me a moment. THE recent death in England of Baron I hastened to his apartments, which were Dalling and Bulwer recalls to my mind a at the other end of the hotel, and on being little incident which is perhaps worth tell- ushered into the office room of the teming, in these days of excessive solemnityporary legation, I there encountered his From The N. Y. Evening Post. HOW NOT TO MODIFY A TREATY. SIR HENRY BULWER AND MR. WEBSTER. One Excellency, clad in only two articles of apparel, both of which were white and very thin, and he was seated on the floor, leaning against the wall and fanning himself with true Oriental indolence. There were three other gentlemen in the room at the time, all secretaries and allied to their chief in costume, and they were doing their best to read and keep cool. Sir Henry then narrated the fact to me that he had been ten days at Capon, but that Mr. Webster had not yet mentioned the Treaty business, and he asked me as a special favor to try and draw Mr. Webster's attention to this matter and see if he would appoint a particular morning when the business could be discussed and a final settlement be reached. I expressed my hopes, took my leave, talked with Mr. Webster, and-he blandly smiled. "We must," said he, "try for some trout to-morrow, and then, perhaps, we may find time to attend to Nicaragua." The time never came, and that was Mr. Webster's mode of attending to diplomatic affairs when disinclined to accept any modifications. That Sir Henry subsequently looked upon this whole visit to Capon Springs as a kind of diplomatic joke was well-known to his friends in Washington, and notwithstanding his deep interest in the ClaytonBulwer Treaty, he felt that under similar circumstances he might have played the same harmless game to stave off a heavy confabulation. In view of the foregoing incident, it may gratify the reader to learn in what estimation Mr. Webster was held by Sir Henry Bulwer, and it is therefore with great pleasure that we submit an extract from a letter addressed by that gentleman to Mr. George T. Curtis, as follows: "It seems superfluous to add any testimony of mine to the general appreciation of his great ability. But I often say that I have met only two men in the course of my public career whose opinions, in conducting business with them, invariably struck me as sound and just. Mr. Webster was one of those men; and his calm and comprehensive wisdom rose above all controversy, conciliating and convincing. In treating with him concerning the relations between our two countries, I always felt that the honor of mine was safe in his hands, and I venture to think that he was equally sure of my respect for himself, and for the powerful state which he represented. Between us there could not have been a difference." But Webster and Bulwer are both among the departed. The genial and pleasant manners of the latter we remember with VOL. XXVI. 1210 LIVING AGE. pleasure, but our chief interest in him centres in his position as an author. He was born in 1801, and died the other day; he was the elder brother of Sir Edward Lytton Bulwer, the famous novelist, and uncle of "Owen Meredith" Bulwer. He wrote a book about Greece, another about France, another on certain historical characters, and still another about the monarchy of the middle classes, all of which display superior abilities. He won popularity when young as an officer of the Life Guards, made something of an impression as a member of Parliament, succeeded tolerably well as a diplomatist, and died a newlymade Peer of England, with the title of Lord Dalling and Bulwer. CHARLES LANMAN. Since the above article was written we have seen an elaborate notice of Henry Bulwer in the London Times, from which we learn that he was thought to have killed a famous American statesman by his smartness. The joke is "good-ish," as well as the congratulation of the Times, and we print it, as follows: "In December, 1849, Bulwer was named Minister Plenipotentiary at Washington, where he raised an enduring monument to his diplomatic ability by the Clayton-Bulwer Treaty. We have now before us one of his last letters, dated 'Rhoda-on-theNile, February 17, 1872,' in which he writes: "I do regret indeed not being in England. The prophecy I made in withdrawing my motion about America has been too closely fulfilled. Of course the time to settle the question was when every sensible man in the United States was disgusted by Sumner's speech. By allowing it to lie on the public mind, it sank into it and has become now a semi-national theory. How, when our only inducement to make a treaty was to set this claim for indirect damages at rest, we could frame one which opened it, is to me miraculous. How they could introduce into such a document the term "growing out of," which would hardly occur to any one but a market gardener, is also a marvel. As to the confidence displayed to American statesmen when I had to make a treaty with them I took the trouble of going over all their own treaties, and in important passages I only used such words as they had used in the sense in which they had used them. Then, when they began their usual disputes about interpretation, I quoted their own authority. All their own newspapers acknowledged I was right and that I had outwitted Clayton, who died, they said, in consequence." From The Spectator. THE REIGN OF LAW IN SPAIN. "It is some comfort to think that, if the [of the country or the King; that it was Supplementary Treaty should pass, neither not a first step towards some ulterior and General Grant, nor Mr. Fish, nor General concealed end, perhaps the proclamation Schenck is likely to die of mortification at of Prince Alphonso. Be that as it may, having been outwitted by our diploma- it was seriously made by Ministers who tists." did not doubt its acceptance by a King whom it must for a moment have greatly tempted. It is so easy to govern with a state of siege, and King Amadeus is a soldier, who might reasonably have imagined that, once set free, he could control the Army, and through it the population, and Ir is difficult to hope for Spain, but the seat himself for the first time solidly on remarkable account of the late Ministerial the Throne. The Ministers, however, met crisis forwarded by the Madrid correspond- with an unexpected and most curious obent of the Times is certainly one to en- stacle, the dynastic tradition of the House courage hope. Spain, it is clear, has ob- of Savoy, the family policy of supporting tained that rare article, a King with whom at all hazards the fundamental Law. adherence to the Constitution is not only This tradition has been maintained by a policy, but a dynastic tradition, who re- Victor Emanuel under circumstances of gards the fundamental law as the Ameri- extraordinary temptation, has been recans regard their Constitution, and who spected even when it became necessary to therefore is incapable of attempting those ask Parliament for a dictatorship, and is sterile acts of violence called coups d'état. unquestionably the cause of the political It appears that in the second week of this confidence reposed by the Italians in their month Serrano, Sagasta, and their col- King. It has been impressed upon his leagues had lost heart with the situation. son, and Amadeus, after a brief interval The Marshal had put down the Carlist of reflection, resolved once more to make insurrection, but only by a compromise of it his rule of conduct. Summoning the the most feeble kind, under which he ac- Ministers to his palace, he asked them one tually promised to reward the Carlist of by one whether they advised the suspenficers for their conduct in leading an sion of the constitutional guarantees, and émeute by restoring them to the Active finding them all agreed, told them in the List of the Army, from which they had plainest terms that he would sooner rebeen removed. Sagasta had avoided an sign his throne, that the Constitution was imminent vote of censure on account of the pact with his people under which he his electoral malpractices, but only by re- held his Crown, and that under no cirsigning the Ministry of the Interior, and cumstances whatever would he violate Camacho had choked the deficit, but only his oath. If a coup d'état was essential to at the cost of a serious blow to the credit the safety of the Monarchy, the Monarchy of the State. The suppressed Carlist must fall, for there should be no coup d'état. movement broke out again, the relieved The Ministers, in extreme wrath and surTreasury was again in difficulty, and the prise, wrath at their defeat and surprise Cortes, packed with such disregard of de- that a King should refuse despotic power, cency, once more displayed an inclination offered their resignations which were coldto disobey. The Conservative Ministry ly accepted, and the King sent at once was at its wits' end, and with the instinct for the leaders of the Radical party. Zorof weak administrations on the Continent, rilla, though he had resolved to abandon declared that it had not sufficient power, public life, believing the King hopelessly and formally proposed to the King à coup Conservative, was so impressed with this d'état. The Constitution must be sus- evidence of his loyalty, that he agreed to pended, the Cortes sent home, and the resume power, and in forty-eight hours Country governed by the Army and had prepared a large and intelligible prothrough the state of siege. Considering gramme. A free Cortes is to be called, that this plan has been tried twenty or and asked to vote measures of reduction thirty times in Spain and has always and new taxes, which will restore the failed, that the King is a foreigner with Treasury to solvency without plundering no hold over the great towns, and that the bond-holder; and the National Guard the Army of Spain has been reduced to is to be embodied as a counterpoise to some forty thousand men, it is difficult the Army, which, weakened in numbers to imagine that the proposal was made and without a leader, must cease to exerwith a single eye to the interest either cise its overshadowing influence over the |