Jeffersonian Republican. [volume] (Stroudsburg, Pa.) 1840-1853, 1849-05-03

a broad grin OF good humor, he left the compa-
ny TO their reflections. Flag Of Our Union.
Arc the Planets Inhabited
Are the planets inhabi,ed is question which
naturally presents itself TO The human mind, and
for solution Of which we as naturally look 10
the science of Astronomy. Bu, when The i'm
mense distance which separates US even from
the neares, OF the planets is remembered il can
scarcely be mailer of surprise, when the tel
escope affords no dlrec. evidence of the ques-
ilon, whether the planets, like the earth, are
inhabited globes. Yet though it gives no d.
rec. answer to the inquiry, modern Astronomy
has collected together mass of facts, connec-
ted by the positions and motions, the physical
character and condition, and the parts played
in The solar syslem by the several globes of
which that solar system is composed which
form a vast body of analogy, leading the intel
| ligent mind 10 the conclusion, that The planets
are worlds, fulfilling in the economy of the uni
verse The same functions. created by the same
Divine hand, for the same moral purposes. and
with the same deslnies as the earth Thus,
for example we find iha. those orbs like our
own, roll in regulated periods round the sun
that they have nights and days, and SUGGESTIONS
of. seasons, that they provided with atmos-
phere, supporting clouds and agated by winds;
and thus. also. their climates and seasons are
modified by evaporation. and that showers re-.
fresh their surfaces. For we know that W her
ever the existence Of clouds is made manifest,
there water must exis, there evaporation must
60 on there electricity, with its train of phe.
nomena, must reign; there rain mus, fall there
hail and snow must descend.
Notwithstanding the dense atmosphere and
thick clouds with which Venus and Mercury are
constantly enyeloped. the telescope has exhib-
lied TO- US grea, irregularities on their surfaces;
and thus proves the existence of mountains and
valleys. But il is upon the planet Mars, which
approaches nearest to the earth, that the great
es, advances have been made in this depart
menl of inquiry. Under favorable circumstan-
ces, lis disc is seen TO be mapped ou, by va
rled outline, some portions being less reaec-
tive of light than others, just as water would
| be less reflective than land. Baer and Mead
ier, two. Prussian astronomers, have devoted
many years labor to the examination of Mars,
and the result has put Us in possession OF a map
of the geography Of that planet, almos, as ex-
&C, and defined as that which possess Of,
our own in fact the geographical outlines of
land and water have been made apparent upon
II. Bu. still more extraordinary fact in relation
to this planet, remains TO be considered. Among
the shaded markings which have been noted
by the telescope upon its disc, remarkable
region Of brilliant white light, standing out in
bold relief, has been observed surrounding the
VISIBLE pole. This highly illuminated spot is
10 be seen most plainly when it emerges from
the long nights OF The winter season but when
it has passed slowly beneath the heat. of the
solar beams. it is found to have gradually con-
lracted its dimensions and at last before il
has plunged into light on the opposite side, TO
have entirely disappeared But the opposite
pole, then coming into similar relations, is
found TO be furnished with like luminous spot,
which in its ,urn dissolyes as it becomes hea-
ted by the summer sun. Now these facts prove
TO US incon,es,ible, that The very geographical
regions of Mars are fac SMILES of our own.-l
In lis long polar winters The SHOWS accumulate
in the de.oIauon Of its high northern and south
ern a,tudes, until they become visible to US
in consequence Of their reflective properties
tha, there are slowly melted as the suns rays
gather power in the advancing season, until
they cease TO be appreciable to terrestrial eyes.
The fac, is a most striking one in reference to
the presen, question.
Ii The moon has proved to US, incontroverti.
bly,. that one of the celestial luminarlessis SOL
id sphere, carved into elevations and depres-
sions, analogous to those familiar TO US. as The
mountains and valleys of the terrestrial sIrGa-
ces. Mars teaches US as emphaticaliy iha,
another among them is a world, filled with its
rains and SHOWS. and clouds and seasons sui
ted TO the purposes and wants of organic life.
which is intimately dependen, upon such adap-
lalions for its being Westminster ReUsew.
Negro Wn.---During the pugilistic excite.
men IN Philadelphia, and hen Hyer, after the
encounter, was dining a. Mllsr's, friend Of
his anlagonislc, wishing to cast slur upon
the vc,or, ordered The waiter 10 bring him
some Sullivan potatoes. moment after, The
waiter returned, and presenting him dish, ex.
claimed aloud. "Here deyis, massa. smashed, of
course" An instantaneous roar vas The result