Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1838-11-28
NUMBER 40.

SIHbbt wv TWAS AfHltHuuuS w ttFibh va
| True, the tube was very small one bur
by some discoveries which the Professor
had made in optics, he had SO improved il,
as to bring the moon sufficiently near to
enable him to hear the roar Of its sea.
\ That the instrument was good one, may
be inferred from the fact, that BY nice cal
culaiions made with II, assisted bv good
almanac, he had actually como within five
minutes of the time Of an eclipse, by the
] landlords watch. In addition TO valua-
ble philosophical apparatus, contained in
a large chest, he received from Albany.
shortly alter his coming TO the village of
Bloomingville, IA box containing phioso-
phlcal Instruments, 10 be used with his
telescope when looking from his observa-
tory. These instruments were present
from the Astronomical Society Of London,
on account Of some discoveries which he
had communicated before his leaving Eng
land. The instruments wero put into the
sdnctum of his attic bed.chamber, whittier
no one had acccss--not even to make his
bed, and so the anticipated pleasure Of see.
ing them was lost.
A Sigh: accident, however, happened
IN the using of the above philosophical in
struments, jointly with histeescope, which,
perhaps, may be of some interest to my
readers. The astronomer had mounted
his observatory as usual, and commenced
his starry speculations. Ho was in tho
habit, generally, Of mlttering to himself
while so engaged ; but, this evening he
was more boisterous than ever. Ono of
the villagers, who was curious in astronom
ical matters, had gono TO the school room
for the purpose OF hearing, ifpossible, wha,
the philosopher was saying. The vllager
was a simple hearted man, and had heard
that wicked men, by magical ncantatlons
to the stars, had wrought much mischief,
and it was not clear TO him, that tho
strange conduct Of the school. man, had
good in it. He placed his back against
one the Gins, and continued to witness
the behavior of Professor Hardlgan, aud
listen to his singular language, until he fell
asleep. The astronomer meanwhile con-
tnued bis specnlations, until his large
head aud shoulders declined rather much
from a perpendicular lost his centre
OF grayity--his centrifugal force over
came the ccntripetal--there was crash
and the rafting ofchnins and telescope
tho burning lamps fell on the head and
breast Of the atirightcd star. gazer, setting
fire to his gorgeous ruflles and his greasy
bushy head and phmton-like, he was
hurled towards the earth, ssRarima ruiios
populante capiiios." The noise awakened
the sleeping vilager and, opening his
eyes he looked up with consternaiion.--
He had not time TO move his limbs--but
the action ofthe mind is quicker than that
of the body. As the fiery meteor descen-
ded, he recollected that Hardigan had said
he had often drawn down the moon; aud
the idea presented itself, that he had no,o
drawn dowE u star--or, remembering that
the Professor dealt in astrology, he
thought he had drawn down the devil upon
him; and the next instant he thought just
nothing ut all--ior the astronomers large
bony head struck his, fairly knocking out
his senses, and both lay extended Oh the
ground. The attic dormant was dim, for
the observer, like the lost Pleiad, had van
ished from his place. When the royaf
professor was taken up to his dornliory,
he exhibited every appearance Of being
royalty drunk aud the fumes OF his breath
rather bore testimony against HIM but
yet it was hard TO Judge rashly, for he had
never been known to purchase glass Of
drink of Mr.. krause during tho time no
boarded at the tavern. The key was left,
however, few days after in the door
which led into the upper apartment, and
as boys will be prying into mysteries, they
endeavoured TO get peep into the box OF
| philosophical instruments from Albany,
and, on looking IN, discovered two kegs,
neatly packed, which, to credit the evil
dence Of the ollactory* nerves, contained
brandy. But, says one Of the little boys,
more consderate than the rest, Well,
what if il is brandy May it not be one
Of the transparent media that the professor
tells US about, through which he contem-
plates the moon % Who knows that tho
simple youth was not right?
We will now turn our attention 10 ano-
Their person whom we have lost sight for
some time. Herman Lincoln returned,
but ere he had reached the village, ru-
mour apprised him Of the sad reverses
that had befalen hm--the loss of his
school, and, worse than that the loss of
his sweetheart for il was also reported
that Professor Hardigan was unremiitng
ID his attention to Clara and cold must
have been the heart that could have resis-
ted the soft rhetoric OF SO learned man.
Lincoln was still in feebia health, and this
intelligence was any thing else than ball
sam. He was disposed 10 be little
jealous, and could now readily credit the
faithlessness of(lara since his ratrons had