Phenix gazette. [volume] (Alexandria [D.C.]) 1825-1833, 1831-02-25
From the Boston Patriot.

MR. EDIroR:-Our Yankee proneness to ex-
agseration, particularly when speaking of events
IN future, was manifested in ludicrous manner
on the occasion of the late eclipse. Many of the
papers entertained us beforehand with glowing
descriptions of the wonders we should see, instead
Of waiting, as they might have done, to describe
what they actually did see One editor painted
in sombre colors the deep gloom which would set
tie like pail on the face of the earth: another
enumerated the stars and consultations which
would glitter in the canopy of the heavens; and
another, on the very day of the phenomenon, with
r marvellous ignorance of the subject he was
treating of, assumed the calculations of some
southern paper as adapted to our latitude, and
gravelyintnrmed usthat this eclipse would be great
er than that OF 1906, which in this region was to-
tai! do not blame these writers for not being as
tronomers, but l think they would have been
wise to leave astronomical calculations to those
who are. If not old enough themselves to remem-
Der, they might have enqnired Of thousands
who witnessed the eclipse of 1906 and have learn
ed, that even then, when the observation of the
sun was complete, few stars were visible; and
that In the eclipse some years afterwards, QS11
think) which was nearly of equal magnitude
with the late one not a star was seen; and thew
might also have reflected, such Is the intense radl-
alton from every part ut the suns disc, that when
the smallest portion remains unobscured, there
will be no very sensible darkness. The conse-
qaence of such highly colored representations
has been, that public expectation was raised so
high, ahd that a spectacle, grand, impressive, and
in some of its circumstances, of surprising beauty
which should have been viewed with delight and
gratiied curiosity By every observer, was to a
majority of spectators source of disappoint-
ment instead OF pleasure.
L. L l.. i
different subject, in which, however, the same
disposition to exaggerate has appeared in strik-
ing light. allude to the late National Census.
What extravagant anticipatons reached US from
all quarters, and what doleful lamentations be-
cause they have not been realized. Was there
any wood ground for such anticipations? Is there
any good cause for disappointment? Assuredly
not. maintain that reasonable calculations have
been answered to their full extent. Boston. we
were told, would show population of 80,000-
Massachusetts or 500, 600, and so forth And
if we had credited the prophetic statements
of the papers in the different States. the popula-
ton of the Union would have been at least twen-
ty millions, a result impossible in the nature of
things. The truth is that Boston shows an in
crease exceeding than falling short of the estima-
ton made by sober calcuatOrs. Massachusetts,
varies but little from it,; and the national agsre-
gate, as far as ascertained, goes beyond it. A
gain of more than S. per cent is exhibited in the
returns of I9 or 90 of the States. Is not this e.
nough to satisfy any onef understand 1t to be
an acknowledged general principle. in philosophy
rs we'll as statistics, that as the population Of a
State becomes more dense, its ratio of national
increase diminishes, and this for obvious reas-
ons which it is unnecessary here to detail
Consequently We are not to expect, at each sue
cessive enumeration, that the same proportional
gain will appear as in former ones. Yet in def
ance of all rules and all lessons of history and
experience, we 90 on, calculating, at every GEN.
sus, upon gain of 90 per cent more than the
event will justify. How absurd! Much error
has doubtless resulted from partial aud unofficial
enumsratiOns, which, every year or two, are so