Vandalia Whig and Illinois intelligencer. [volume] (Vandalia, Ill.) 1832-183?, 1832-10-31
BIELA,S COMET.


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BIELA'S COMET.
Although about one hundred and thirty COM
cts are recorded as having been observed, and
had their elements computed, the time of the rev.
olution around the sun Of only three Of them is
known. These three are Encke's, Biela's and
Halley's, the first of which returned to the peri
helion in May, this year. Bela's returned on
the fifth of the present month Next Wednes-
Iday it will rise at + mnuets past O'Clock, p. NJ
and its apparent place ihthe heavens will be | 1
ldeg. N. N. E. of the seven stars. On the 10Th
|of September it will rise 10 the N. E. little be-
fore 9 in the evening. The situation of this com
ct will be most favourable for observation from
the middle of October to the middle of Novem-
Der. 1t will be nearest tie earth on the 23d DC
tober at which time it will be distant about fifty
one millions of miles. 1t will be brightest abou,
the 18th of November when it will pass the me-
redian about half past in the morning, and will
rise little before ten IN the evening. Its near
est approach to the sun will be on the 2Sth No
vember, then distint more than eighty three mil
lions of miles. The greater eongaion of the
comet from the SUI, and its great northern decli-
nation, will cause it to be in very favorable po-
sition for observation in the U. States.
| The great southern decnation of Encke's
comet, rendered it invisible in The U. States, at
its return In May last, but it was visible in South
America This tomet returns periodically IN
about three years and four months The term of
Biela's is about sil years and eight months. And
the period of Halhy's which will return in 1885.
is about seventy-sx years-Salem Gazette.
OHILLIcoTHE, (Ohic) Sept. 5.
Horrible Suicio-Ahout 8 O'Clock on Friday
night last, Mr.. JAMES HEATH, young man who
resides in his fath.r's family about 10 miles north
OF this place, wen TO the house of Mr. Lucas,
a near neighbor, where young lady-Miss Hoo
vER-resides, ant deliberately shot her with his
rifle in which he lad put two balls. Providen-
TALLY, however,i in eevaing the piece to the win
dow through which he fired, its muzzle struck the
glass, which caused the young lady suddenly TO
move from the position in which she was recli-
ming at the moment of the time he took his ain,
and thus escaped with her life; though notwlth.
out having received both balls-one between the
thumb and foreiGnger of the left hand-and the
other through the same arm above the elbow
which caused very painful fracture of The o.
hnneri. We learn that she is doing well and is
likely soon to recover.
We cannot avoid mentioning here, as an en-
traordinary example of female presence of mind,
that Immediately after receiving the fire of her
attempted assassin, the young lady blew out the
candle to escape second assault upon her life
There was no grown person in the house but
Mrs. Lucas, who retreated up stairs and by her
screams alarmed the surrounding neighbors. But
the most awful and fatal part of this bloody ira
gedy, yet remains to be told No sooner had
Mr. H fired upon Miss Hoover. and, as he sup
posed killed her. than he fled to his fathers barn
yard, a short distance from the house, aud there
reloaded his deliberately laid down on his
|hack-7placed the muzzle of the piece under his
chin folded the barrel firmly in his arms-touch-
led the trigger with one of his feet, from which
he had taken the precaution to remove the shoe
and stocking, and discharged the whole loading
into his head. So efectually did be perform the
horrible deed, that il is believed he never moved
after it, as he was found the next morning, in the
same position in which he must have laid down.
An inquest was held over his body on Saturday,
by the Coroner of this county, who pronounced a
verdict of death by deliberate suicide.
The only cause alleged for the preparation of
this lnhuman crime is, that the young man had
paid his addresses to the young lady, who deci-
ned his proposals; and stung by the modification
of disappointment he resorted to the dreadful en-
pedient which he did to revenge his hopeless at
tachment. We understand he sustained through
the neighborhood, the character of an honest, in.
dustrious and peaceable citizen
How to be 'Saped.'-When the Bishop of Ex-
ter, who preached a sermon at St. James's
Church lately, gave out his text, 'What shall
do to be saeed9 wag in the gallery called out,
to the evident discontinue of the Right Rev.
Prelate, but to the no small amusement Of great
portion of the congregation, 'Vote for the Reform
Bill! The beadle Immediately hustled towards
the place where the sound proceeded, but no fur
Their notice was taken of the occurrence.
Choice Of a Profession.--The Standard re-
iates an anecdoe of young man who recently
came to establish himself in New Y ork, and as
he did not know exactly what Slime" was the
most desirable, spent a good deal of time aud
much shrewd sagacity, IN looking about and
guessing into the several ways of getting rich
lie had considered pretty keen, he said, all kinds
OF trades that were carried on here, and he had
pretty much made up his mind, to set up the post
Office trode.-Thom that carried it on, took a
heap of money every day, and there was only one
in the place. -
The great duke of Marlborough, passing the
gate OF the Tower, was accosted by an ill-look-
ing fellow, with. "How do YOU do, my lord duke
believe your grace and have now been in eve
ry Jail in the kingdom ID believe, friend" re-
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