The Express.
London, England, 1851-07-28 00:00:00

The following is from a correspondent of the Daily
,Neers

To-day, a sudden darkness will arrest the banker
at his counting-house, the artist at his easel, the mechanic
at his loom. To be conversant with the laws which
govern the solar syotem, to follow the development of
world., is an ambition that enters the minds of compa-
ratively few thinkers. Yet to-day, when the light declines
at noun, thousands will long to know the laws at work.
Men will be strangely 'sieved at the sight, and will be in-
clined to reverence the professors of the science which
enables us to foretell the event with the utmost accu-
racy. For the phenomena that will attend the eclipse of
to-day, the learned astronomer royal endeavoured,
some months back, to prepare the public. Ile de-
scribed the genera phenomenon as " perhaps the
most awfully grand that man can witness ;" and declared
that the largest partial eclipse did not give the least
idea of a total eclipse, at regarded either the generally ter-
rific appearances or the singular nature of some of the phe-
nomena. lle concurred in the armaments used by Mr.
Bally with regard to the eclipse of .1 hales, which suspended
a bunle between the Lyiliarg and the Modes, to the effect
that it must have been a total eclipse, and that in this case
there could be no difficulty in believing the historian's ac-
count to he literally correct. The explanation given by the
astrenuiner of the simple cause* which produce an eclipse is
simple., and, popularly speaking, perfectly intelligible. The
moon's dietame from the earth, in the first place, is about
one-four hundredth part of the sun's distance; and the
diameter of the moon is almost one-four-hundredth part of
the sun'. diameter; it follows therefore that, on
the average, the sun's apparent diameter and the moon's
appareut diameter are very nearly equal. In illustration
it may be remarked that were the sunlit the moon's distance
from the earth it would appear four hundred times the
site of the moon; and were the moon at the sun's distance
it would ilimnish in apparent sire to us, to ,four-hundredth
part of its present visible diameter. But, in consequence
of the elliptic forme of t heir orbits, the sun's distance is
liable to little variation, while that of the moon is liable to
very considerable variation : thut, when the moon is at
the mow distant part of her orbit, her visible diameter is
smaller than the sun's, and if at that time she comes be-
tween a spectator and the sun, she will be seen as a dark
disk, covering the central part of the sun, and leaving a
ring of light all round; but, when the moon is at the nearest
part of her orbit, her apparent diameter is larger than the
sun's, and she will, to a spectator in the proper locality,
completely veil the sun from him, and produce a total
eclipse.. In the same way that a button, held close to the
eye, will cover the surface of the moon from view—so the
moon, although infinitely smaller than the sun, hide, the
great luminary from us when her comparatieu distance is
Imo than her comparative size to the sun. Having endea-
voured to illustrate the astronomer's meaning, and to ren-
der the general phenomenon intelligible to the least scien-
tific reader, it will be interesting to recall the circumstance
to popular attention, that hour successive total eclipses oc-
cur in the month of July at regular interval, of nine years,
namely, 1833, July 17; 1842, July 8 ; 1141, July ti : and
1880, July 18. The astronomer explained these eclipses at
regular intervals by showing how it happens that at inter-
vals of nine years the moon's orbit was in such a position as
to coos the sun's disk, and how, at these regular intervals,
the mom was at nearly her smallest distance from the earth.
Ho declared that—" In reference to the former, it was
shown that the moon revolves in an orbit whose plane is
inclined to the plane of the ecliptic (the appamdurbitof the
san round the earth), and that the inclination is nearly in-
veriable but that the position of tho line in which the
plane of moon's orbit intersects that of the ecliptic is
constantly changing, revolving steadily in the direction op-
posite to the moon's motion, and performing a complete re-
solution in something more than nineteen years. There-
fore, if one node or extremity of this line of intersection
were directed nearly to the July sun in 1833, the opposite
nude would be directed nearly to the July sun in 1842 and
so on fur lour successive 'serials of nine years; and eclipses
would be possible in July at the end of each period. But
to show that they might be total eclipses, it was necessary to
reinerk that the moon revolves in an ellipse of which
the earth occupies one focus (a point much nearer to
one end than the other), and that the position of
this ellipse is constantly varying, its long seas turning
round iu the same direction as the moon's motion, and com-
pleting a revolution in nine years and a half. 'Therefore, if
in 114 fI the shorter cud of the ellipse were nearly turned to
the July sun, in 1812 the axis of the ellipse would have com-
pletely revolved, so that the shorter end of the ellime would
again be nearly turned to the July sun ; and thus the
eclipse which occurred, if total in 1833, would, if central,
be total (not annular) in 1842; and soon for four periods of
nine years."
The astronomer's descriptions of the phenomena attend-
ant upon eclipses, being the result of personal experience,
are highly interesting—particularly of that known by the
name of Beads and Strings—which he ascribes, with
Profeseur Powell, to " the inevitable fault of telescopes"—
the beads and strings being perceptible with some instru-
ments and not with others. These beads sad strings are
the alternations of black and white points seen when the
preceding limb of the moon, traversing the sun's disk, isp-
proeches very near the sun's limb, or the following limb
is separating from the sun's limb. This phenomenon has
been observed when other planets have traversed the solar
disk. la describing the total eclipse of 1842, which, in con-
sequence of the great exertions of M. Arago, was better
observed than any other, scientific men being dotted every-
where in the path of the shadow—Mr. Bally, at Perri", and
the astronomer royal at the Superga, near Turiu—he re-
curred to the expeneuee of M. Arago on the occasion, who
declared that as the totality approached, a strange fluctua-
tion of light was seen, "so striking that in some places
children ran after it and tried to catch it with their hands."
By all observers the suddenness of the darkness is described
as having an awful effect; and the expression of Dr. Stake-
ley, in Lu account of the total eclipse of 1741, " that the
darkness came dropping like a mantle," is confirmed by the
experience. of the astronomer royal, who declared that the
clouds seemed to be &wending. ' From the collected ob-
servations of the astrouomen iu 1842, it appears that all
agreed as to the generally horrible and unnatural appear-
ance of all things—countenames having a livid and ghastly
aspect. Here arc a few reported experiences:—
" In one case a half-starved dog, who was voraciously
devouring some food, dropped it from his month when the
darker es came on. In another, a swam of ants, who were
busily carrying their burdens, stopped when the der:Leen
came on, and remained motionless till the light reappeared.
In another, a herd of oxen, as soon as the totality was
formed, collected themselves into a circle sod stood with
their horns outwards. Some plants fad the convolvulus and
silk-tree acacia) closed their leaves. The darkness at Venice
was so great that the smoke of the steamboats could not be
seta. In several places, birds flew against houses, &e.
Where the sky was clear, several stars were seen. In se-
veral places a reddish light was seen near the horizon. A
heavy dew was formed at l'erpignan."
The captain of a French ship ensured ht. Arago that
having nude else most careful arrangements for scientific
°ea/ovations beforehand, discipline of every kind failed
when the darkness came on, in corwequenee of the irresis-
t ble fascination of the phenomenon, and the most important
opportunity was thus lost. The astronomer's explanatiote
of the. C.. 10114, or ring of light which 14170thttle the 1110.0%1
during a total eclipse', it interesting, and will be particularly
welcoina at the present time It will be seen from it that
the last eclipse was carefully observed, and by competent
adrimuniers ; and happily such men aa Aragn aud our
astronomer royal merman to point their tekecopos to the
heaven. to-day frets various important points. Here is
their last expenses :
The mat remarkable phenomenon observed in all pre-
ceding total eclipses, and seen equally in that of 1812, is the
ring of light surrounding the moon, called the corona. The
prognen of the formation of the ring was seen by his (the
astruneeaer's) companion, anal by some other persons : it
cow :a-need on the side of they moon opposite to that at
ce'cich the sun disappeared. In the general decay and dia.
ease which seemed to oppress all nature, the moos intik
corona ayar almost like a local disease is that part of
the sky. K.tiseoacnel places the corona was sass as disarray
double it would appear that the ring which the astream-
mer saw (whose breadth, by estimate of repeat d depilate..
tion, be found to be shout one-eighth part of the sesat's
diasuetar, or four minutes of arc nearw the boa if
the two nagessea by M. Amigo and others. The tains*
of tie comas appeared in some places as it illios%oe
eomposed of entangled thread ; in same. plasm.
em leathers of lied pram:seeded tram st. Oas

metric estimate of the quantity of light in the Corona, cited i
by N. Ares°, gave it equal to one-seventh part ef full
Moonlight. From a chromatic analysis of its light by
Uses of an ordinary prism, it appeared to be deficient is
reel rays. The astronomer characterised the inquiry into
ihe origin and locality of this corona as one of the most
Westing connected with the ealipee. It had been specially
indicate.' by N. Arse (use the" Animate du Bureau dm
Longitude; 1142") se • eery important subject of inquiry
whether the Melee i ggsgentrie with the moon or with*,
' sun ; bat his Pellnelledation had received very Weigel
attention. The Weed taunt of the evidence went to prove
Set the MONIS SNOW to the son. This, however, was
OM
the epldse Omega gooiest writer...who tacitly consider
11 mar ve Ow Ewa. But the most remark-
able d Q tLe engem= were the rcd mountains or
Imes apparently protecting from the cirCumferenee of
tle mess into the inner ring of the corona, to the height of
sera alletiate of are at the smallest estimation, or much
meta height by esksit estimations. It was afterwards dis-
covered that thee ha been seen before by Vassenius, a
Saadi' imeemens% tab observed the eclipse of 1733 at
Cietebug (a plow "my favourable for the approaching
eel.* aad wires sessuat is given in the " Philosophical
Toronedsms," veL ISlTiii. Ila terms them " subrabi-
maw seanulke gestabe, extra peripheriam disci lunaris
senapette, noose tees est quatuor." This observation,
bewerer, was aid Mow to any of the observers in 1812,
end all were therefen taken by surprise. Drawings were
addlnted of these red mountains as seen at Perpig-
sea, Narbonne, Vienna, Pavia, the Superga, and Lipetsk.
It was shown that, by a trace still visible on the
encraving, the drawing first made at Vienna bed
meancided very exactly with that made at Pavia ;
that the Narbonne observations would be very exactly re-
conciled with them by supposing the error (very likely to
steer to unpractised astronomers) of taking the north limb
lobe the upper limb ; that at Perpignan, the Superga, Lipetsk,
the lowest of the red prominences was not seen; and that
at the Superga and Lipetsk only was the middle one of the
upper prominences seen, though in several places an irregu-
lar bead of red light had been seen of which one salient
paint /eight he the prominence in question. In all the
piss where the order of formation had been observed, the
erne prominence (the left-hand upper prominence) was
defined as the first seen. At Perpignan this was observed
by M. MaIIT&IS to show itself first as a small point and to
peigiect gradually as from behind the moon. The discoed
ease in these representations was not at all startling, ;

it was not greater than the discordance in
accounts given by two good observers in different rooms Or
the same building at Padua. The determination of the
locality and nature of these red prominences is one of the
most difficult of all connected with the eclipse. The first
impression undoubtedly was, that they are parts of the sun.
If so, their height, at the lowest estimation, is about 30,000
miles. The principal objection, however, to their solar
location is the difference in their forms as seen at different
places : thus at Perpignan they are represented as widest at
the top; at all other places they are widest at the base
Moreover, at some places, as Pavia and Vienna, where they
were seen a long time, they underwent no change: whereas
at Perpignan one at least was seen to slide out as from
behind the moon. In all cases, however, much is to he
allowed fur the hurried nature of the observation. The
only theory which has been formally propounded as explain-
ing them is that of M. Faye, who conceives them to be the
result of a kind of mirage.'

Of the celhp■e whieliwill take place to-day, some infor-
mation is also afforded us. Its course across Eurow will
be as follows. Entering Norway near Bergen, the shadow
crosses both coasts of Norway, both coasts of Sweden, and
the eastern coast of the Baltic ; then travels through Po-
land and the south frontier of across the sea of
Azof, through Georgia to the Caspian Sea. It passes
Christiana, Guteberg, Carlscrona, Danzig, Konigsberg,
Warsaw, sad Tiflis. In England the effects will only be
partially visible; but it is satisfactory to the lovers of
science, to the investigators of the great truths which in-
fluence boundless worlds, to know that exertions have been
madeto secure accurate observation, and that amongst other
observers Mr. Hobert Chambers is stationed at a convenient
point in Sweden. Much as people have talked of
late of the eclipse, it will come upon thousands
to-day as a great surprise. It will surprise country visitors
in the Glass Palace; it will astonish solitary country folk ;
it will quicken the superstition that still lives in odd nooks
and corners of the land ; and it will make many men
thoughtful ; many, feeling their insignificance in the pre-
sence of the mighty phenomenon, humble in their self-esti-
mate. It cannot, in short, be contemplated by any think
beg mind, without calling up thoughts that purify, and
perhaps aspirations not limited to the human scene.
To observe the eclipse no telescope is needed—a dark
glass, or a common glass, blackened over a candle, is all
that is necessary. Armed with this, by 2 P.M. to-day,
July 28, let the observer be ready; according to his proxi-
mity to either of the following places. so will the circum-
stances resemble those stated in the table
Local Time. Greenwich. Cambridge. Edinburgh.
Eclipse begins 2.. 3.3 2.. 2:5 1..40
Middle of eclipse 3..11.6 3..10:9 2..18:8
Eclipse ends.
Magnitude of the
eclipse, sun's dia-
meter being 1... . .815 .820 .878

The first contact will take place on the western limb of
the sun; the northern portion will be obscured.
It will be worth while for those who are provided with
suitable instruments to watch the atmospheric changes
during the progress of the eclipse. Thus the reading of the
barometer, and of the wet and dry bulb thermometers,
might be registered during every fire minutes from the
commencement to the close.

It is probable that the planet Venus oily be visible near
the time of central eclipse : she will be found about 18
degrees distant from the sun to the west. Mercury will be
15 degrees eastward, s little south. Jupiter will not bare
arrived at the meridian; his place is 5 degrees below the
equator.
If the places of these planets are marked on a celestial
globe duly rectified, one or the other may probably be
picked up. The subjoined table will supply the requisite
data:—
Right ascension. Declination.
deg. m.
deg.
m
Mercury
Venus

Jupiter 172 2 45 19 N.
The degree of interest, however, attaching to a partial
eclipse, such as will be presented to-iLiy, falls greatly
short of the singularly beautiful phenomena of one that is
total.

ROYAL. COLLEGE OF SURGEONS.—The following
gentlemen having undergone the necessary examinations,
were admitted members of the college on the Vith inst.:—
Messrs. F. l'ratt, Swinbridge Devon ; J. Langdon,
Brampton, Devon; R. Richards, Carnarvon ; H. F. Wade,
Derby ; J. H. Aveling, Rochester ; F. Godrich, Brompton,
Middlesex ; R. J. Hodges, Barrington, Dorset ; H. C.
Lovell, St. John's-wood ; G. Burnham, Great Grimsby ;
D. D. Davies, Carmarthen ; and J. S. Sanderson, Newcastle-
npon-Tyne. At the same meeting of the court Mr. D.
Carter paned his examination u naval surgeon.
REPRESENTATION OP GREENWICIL—In anticipa-
tion of another election for this borough, meetings have
been held during the put week, committees have been
formed, and canvassing has been going on, to secure
the return of Mr. Montague Chambers upon the next
vacancy.—tientials Mercury.
DISSOLUTION Or THE NIARYLEBONE PAROCHIAL
COMILITTEIL—This association, whose vigilant activity in
the return of reform members to the Marylebone vestry,
has since la! enabled it virtually to conduct the affairs of
that large parish, voluntarily dissolved itself on Wednesday
last. The householders of Marylebone having faith in the
promises of a new party of professedly more thorough re-
formers, withdrew their confidence from the parochial com-
mittee, and rejected their list. Thus situated its members
saw no alternative but to retire before the public opinion
and break up their organisation.
THE SUPPOSED MURDER AT NORWICH.--

NORWICH, SATCRDAV, JULY 26.—Notwithstanding the
length of time which has elapsed since the discovery of a
portion of the remains of a human being in various parts of
the out of this city, and which are supposed to be con-
nected with the perpetration of a brutal murder, no official
communications have been made by Mr. Yarington, the
saperintendant of the city constabulary, to the magistrates,
owing to the fact that east gentleman has been unable to
trace to any particular -person the perpetration of the awful
crime, or to ideutify t'ae scattered portions of the body.
There are, however, circumstances connected with the
matter which hold out a hope that the murderer may yet
be traced. Durir.g the last few days other parts of the
body have been found, and there appears to be little doubt
that they have been thrown about since the previous disco-
veries were raade. A day or two since a young man, who
was strollinr; through the grounds of Mr. Merry, of Brecon-
dale, foam'. a human hand, and on comparing it with that
of one al ready in the possession of the authorities, there
seems r,o reason to doubt that both belonged to the same
Perim:. A foot evidently belonging to the same body has
also }seen found in the yard of St. Peter's Church, a spot
' which, amongst others, was diligently searched by the
police during their late investigations. Mr. Yarington ca-
p:sasses his conviction that the murder was not committed
in. Norwich, having ascertained, from a careful search of
tOe parochial registers, that no person answering the de-
seriptMn of the murdered woman is missing ; but believes
that the various portions of the mediated body have bens
brought front a distance, and scattered about the suburbs
of the city.
I TUE RAILWAY Accitn AT CLAT-Cllosi.—The
interest and sympathy excited in the public mind by this
accident has been renewed. At the York assizes, aniuog.t
the civil businev, was an action brought by Mr. Broadbent,
of the Barrack Tavern, Sheffield, against the Midland
Railway Company, to obtain compensation for injury sus-
tained by the collision, but the cue did not come on for
trial, a compromise having been effected, the plaintiff re-
eelviag, it is understood, 4+501. Mrs. Blake, of Shedield,
Ware husband, it will be recollected, was killed by the
accident, has entered an action against the company. Mr.
and Mrs. Tennant, the American lady and gentleman, who
were compelled by their injuries to stay at Captain Salmon's
cottage at Ankerbold, have so far recovered as to be enabled
to depart for their own country, and they left the cottage,
where so much kindness has been shown them, last Satur-
M.ll.ll„;;;lloticoudhssetr,toof
.Dublin,s bed, bs.tttl rcu his rinshaat,ithe
beea fractured, big, is progressing favourably. ell, J. 'Y.
Fox is unable to walk without crutches: the shock to bar
nervous system bap also been very great : he has been re-
moved to Blackpool for the benefit of sea sir. A few days
ago Mr. Radford, superintend: of of
police Chesterfield, ee-
cured a letter dated the 18th July, frMs Stretton, the
driver of the luggage train, to the effect that he intended
to give himself up at the arises, and undergo his trial.—
Derbyshire
Cowin,

!THE GItEAT EXHIBITION.

The appearance of the Crystal Palace on Saturday
seemed to indicate that that most fashionable of days will
soon be left mainly to the ticket-holders. For some hours
after the opening the interior was almost a solitude, che-
quered only by the Bath chairs of the invalids that moved
slowly to and fro with the most perfect freedom of way.
In the afternoon the fashionable loungers mustered
in tolerable force, but, after all, the day's was the
smallest assemblage of the season. To there who can
afford the money, and at the same time find it
necessary to study economy in time, Saturday is, un-
doubtedly, the best day for a visit to the Exhibition, as
on that day one can certainly see much more in one
day, and in comfort too, than could possibly be managed
in five shilling visits. The Fine Arts court is a very
mine of attractive objects ; but many of these bring =all,
are completely smothered by the crowds who amenable
round the Mexican figures and other prominent features.
'f;:e Exhibition presents almost every day some new
attraction to the visitor, and it is also satisfactory to know
that it is producing satisfactory results to the spirited
caterers of ti:e feast. As a singular illustration of this, we
may mention tn. 3 one of the exhibitors of chemical pre-
parations has reeeire,2 more orders, in consequence of the
advertisement which the Exhibition has proved to his
goods, than he can possibly execute. The same good fruits
are being reaped in many of the English departments, and
the French, while complaining that the attractions of
London have made a than season in Paris, at the same
time admit that what they have lost in customers at present
has been amply made up by the orders they have received
from Loudon since May Ist. Another instance nearer
home is that of Pim, Brothers, of Dublin, one of the
exhibitors of Irish poplin. Previous to the opening of the
Crystal Palace three looms supplied all their orders fur
poplin, while now forty are barely sufficient, and the trade
is still increasing. The total numbers were 10,399.
Cash account, July 26.
Season tickets
At the doors

Total receipts