Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1845-02-05

their axis And this has already been
done in regard to the planet Mars, and it
has been ascertained that its diurnal revolu-
ton is exactly the same as the earth, or
at least within minute or two. In Mars |
therefore, we find that the same expedl-
ents have been resorted TO, and for the
same purpose. We find that the planets
Venus and Mercury are surrounded with
an atmosphere, the clouds can be dis
tincty observed upon the surface, the
same provision exists with reference TO
Mars. There is peculiarly connected
with Venus and Mercury worthy of our
attention here; they have the same variety
of phases with which we are familiar in
our moon. They wax and wane, some
times appearing as thin crescent; at 9TH
ers half full, and full circle. Both of these
planets are densely covered with clouds,
so dense that we have never yet been able
to see the surface of the planets. For a
long period this was a great impeachment
to science in the pursuit of investigation
relative to the character of these planets,
for they offered nothing to the eye but a
dense mass of clouds, and it is the sun
shining on these clouds which makes the
planet Venus so resplendant an object
With this obstacle in the way, you will We
ry naturally inquire, how did we discover
their diurnal motion? 1t Is very inter-
esting circumstance, and was discovered
by the most extraordinary accident. Trac-
tor, German philosopher, had for sever
al years been engaged in particular ex-
animation of the planet Venus during her
crescent state, and one evening, while d.
recting his observations 10 her cuspiS or
horns, as the points of the crescent are
denominated, he was much surprised tc
perceive that one of them gradually be-
came blunt, which bluntness continued 10
increase until it seemed as if the point OF
the crescent was broken off. At first he
I thought he must have made some mistake
or that there was some imperfection in the
instrument. After some time, however,
he found that this bluntness again began
, to disappear until the point of the crescent
recovered It's usual appearance. This was
, remarkable phenomenon, one that he
could not explain.
On the next evening he observed the
same planet again and again at the same
: time the same phenomenon required. AnC
so long as the atmosphere of Venus wa.
, sufficiently clear, did he continue 20 OBJ
serve the same occurrence. But how Il
Q account for ltl This was for some time
t a difficulty. At length it was ascertainet
that at the particular time at which tn,
v bluntness Of the horn of the crescent oc
!: Cured, it was involved in the shadow of ,
d high mountain upon the surface of th,
3 planet, and which was in fact the sol
! cause of the phenomenon. Thus then
, was explained. Now we know that shad
e ows are always long, in the morning o
is the evening, when the sun is either risin
# or setting, hence it was clearly inferribl
# that at the point of the crescent involve
$ IN the mountain shadow, it was eithe
h morning or e' ening. But this was not al
# How came the mountain there? And VIII
~ was it not always there2 Simply becaus
4 the planet Venus reyolved on its own axi
70 and carried the mountain with it. Thu
es then it was ascerlained beyond doubt tn;
!, the planet had a revolution of its own.-
r But this was not all. The mountai
ne told another tale. 1t came at particuli
10 time, and always with the same effect, an
; by nice philosophical observation il We
thus ascertained that the planet Venus ha
diurnal revolution almost exactly II
same as the earth and the planet Mars
This discovery led to observations wi
the same view in the planet Mercury, al
as mountain had revealed these interes
ing facts in relation TO Venus it was thu
that probably another mountain in Nero
j ny might present the same facilities. Al
! singular as the fact is, it was but she
+, time, before the same phenomenon was 0
served in the planet Mercury, and fro
the same cause. The horn was eclips
all at periodical intervals, and it was thus {
We certained that the planet Mercury also I
er yolved on its own axis, and at intervals
d;- most the same as those of Mars, Ven
i. and the Earth.
na Here then we find the same promine
av characteristics in each of the planets
os. have named. Can the inquiring mind a
nj more of the astronomer than this?
he see that the divine author has adopted 81
no liar expedients in each, and can we dol
on but that they are for the same qualities
,os every respect, peculiar TO none but CO
he mon to all, and we feel that il is the VIC
80 of Him who has made all things in bel
owl ficence and love.
me There are few things more alarming
ial the friends of the Union of these Stat
rn- than the split of the Methodist Church i
cal northern and southern divisions. II N
o. 80 Core;oc ~ tho forhea rim ~ nd concilIat