Sentinel of the valley. [volume] (Woodstock, Va) 1841-1848, 1843-03-09

.fstyoaomy and M Nerism 1t cannot
be doubted that some very singular chan
ges are going on. both in the solar system
and beyond it. Astronomers are agreed
as to The facts. though they may differ IN
their deductions. The more courageous
will see nothing alarming in these celes-
tial phenomena-while. TO the more TIM
id. they are fearfu'ly ominoas OF the
| speedy ,'wreck of matter and the crush OF
. words.'' w Whether or not any RATIONAL
deductions can furnish any ground for
apprehension. we cannot pretend to de-
eide; but it is quite certain that the
1 followers of Miller. at the North, are
speculallng largely upon these s.deral
/ changes.
Some remarkable phenomena have
! been observed at different times in the
heavens. which could hardly be accoun-
ted for, only on the hypothesis Of ire
mendous conflagration in the far distant
! regions Of llIimitable space. The small
lest stars have sometimes suddenly as.
sumed all the briiancy of the brightest
planet, which they have partially retain
ed for some months. when they begin 30
fade away; and, after a short time. they
entirely disappear. One particularly is
| mentioned which exhibited all the appear
ance of furious combustion for sixteen
months, when it faded away ely.and
has not since been seen. This was in
1872 aud 8.
| At present the planets Venus add Sa-
turn exhibit an unusual aspect. The re-
markabie brightness and Mars like col
or of the.former has been noted by Che
press. in different parts of the union; and
New Hampshire Astronomer tells us
that powerful glass will discover flames
OF fire wrtathins over her disc. The lat
ter. too, seems TO be in blaze; Hers.
cheI is unusually tardy in its movements.
and the relative position of several stars
has obviously changed within the last six
months. The earth, too, seems to rebel
against tie laws ofthe solar system. The
| obliquity of her orbit is annually dimn.
ishing. which must inevitably affect her
seasous.~ and may account for the mild
ness of the past and present winter.
But whatever changes may occur. we
still have one assurance-one consOta-
tion-'Our Fathers at the helm, ''and
will do nothing wrong Fred. Rec.
-::-X-::-
The following>is the concluding para
graph of a speech of 4. Collins Lee.
before the American Colonization So
ciety, in which he pronouEces a short
and beautiful eulogv upon the late F. S
Kew. ct which Soclety Mr.. Key was q
member. 1t is a most beautiful history
of that national ballad, 1.-The Star Span
sled Banner:-
/ 1t was during the late memorable
war, when a British fleet had penetrated
the very Capital of our country, and
while approaching the cut works aud fort
which guard sister city, that young
Key, then detained on board an English
| ship of war;. beheId, as the twilight clo-
sed upon the invading forces, the flag OF
| his couutry waving above the fortress oil
attack, and when the night set in, was
tainted by the threat and boast OF the in
vaders, that ere morning that flag would
be struck to the prowess of its enemies.
! Amid the Smoke and storm of the battle.
and the darkness of the night he watch
ed with throbhins heart and anxious eyes
the first approach of light, his fears and
hopes alike aeitating and depressing
him. The dawn broke at Iast, and through
the smoke and clouds he caught the first
glance of that yet unconquered ensign.
still there. waving over the free aud
brave-its brig int folds uhbroken by the
storm of battle, and its inextinguishable
stars yet shining undimmed. 1t was, sir,
at this moment Of rapture that the pa
triot's Overlooking heart gave utterance
to its gushing joy liz song which has
become the brightest gem of our litera-
ture, and the watchword of victory. If
nothing else remained to rescue his
memory trcm oblivion. this, this alone
shall preserve it in every land and over
every sea. wherever American arms
shall carry light and liberty and civil
cation.
S5Uth .Ame,acG.-0n the 18th of last
month, an engagement took place at Ag-
ia Santa. about 40 miles from Lima be-
| tween the armies commanded by Gener-
ais Vidac and Torrico, in which the lat
ter was defeated and his whole force dis
persrd and captured.
! There were about seven THOUSAND troops
present, of which upwards OF four thou
| sand were on the side of Torrico. who
lost the battle by his cowardice. for be
was the first to fly from the field whilst
the chances were decidedly in his favor.
| He rode in great haste to CaIlao-went
on board a French corvette, and he and
| his ministers, and Gen. San Roman and
some others have gone to Chill.
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