Mineral Point tribune. [volume] (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1854-1858, 1855-07-04
Total
iCONCLtDED NEXT WEEK.

HE EXPECTED GREAT CoMEr-The
emenent astronomer, NJ Rabinet mem Der
OF the French Academy of Sciences, gives
some very interesting details relative to
tue return OF that great comet, whose
| periodical course is computed by the most
celebrated observer at three hundred
years.
| Our cyclical records show that it was
observed In the year lO4. 392. 6S2. 972.
again III 1864, and the next time in 1856.
always described as shining with the
most extraordinary brilliancy. Most of
the European astronomers had agreed in
announcing the comet in lS4S; but it
has hitherto failed to appear. In fact it
! is not SO easy or simple matter to
compute those vast cyclical periods as
some superficial persons, who do not look
beyond the day of year in which they
live, may imagine.
| We are, however, assured by NJ Babinet
that, up to this moment, this beautiful
star us living on its brilliant reputation )"
so that Sis John Herschell himself was
wrong when he despaired Of its reappear-
ance, and put Grape on its telescope We
are now informed that celebrated and
accurate computer, NJ. BONNIE of
Mlddleburg with a patience and devoted
ness truly German, has gone over all
| previous calculations, and made a new
estimate OF the separate and combined
action of all the planets upon this comet
OF three hundred years and he has
discovered that 1t is not lost to US, but
only retarded in its motion. The result
of this severe labor gives the arrival of
this rare and renowned visitor in August,
1858, with an uncertainty of two years,
more or less so that between 1856 and
1860 those who are then living may hope
to see the great luminary which in 1856
casused Charles v to abdicate
A HUGE PILE OF SERPENrs Baron
Humbolt says:
" La the savannahs Of Izacuba Guiana
[ saw the most wonderful aud terrible
spectacle that can be seen and although
it be not uncommon to the natives, no
traveller has ever mentioned it. We
were ten men on horseback. two of whom
took the lead in order to sound the pas
sages, while preferred to skirt the great
forest One of the men who formed the
vanguard returned at full gallop and call
ed to me, IS Here Sir, come and see SER
pents in pile" He pointed to some
thing elevated in the middle of the savan-
nah or swamp, which appeared like bun
die of arms. One Of my company said
g This is certainly one of the assem- bles
of serpents which heap themselves on each
other after a violent tempest | have
heard of these, but never saw any let Us
proceed cautiously, and not go TOO near
them"
When we we're within twenty PAGES
of it, the terror of our horses preven
ted our approaching nearer, to which none
of as inclined. On sudden the pyramit
mass became agitated horrid kissing
iissued from it, thousands Of serpents
rolled spirally On each ether, and shot
forth out of the circle their envenomec
darts and fiery eyes to US. l own l wa:
the first to draw back, but when [ saw
this formidable phalanx remain at its pos
, and appear to be more disposed to defenc
itself than attack US, rode around ia OF
der to view its order of battle, which ia
ced the enemy on every side. I ther
thought what could be the design of suct
an assemblage aud | concluded that thi.
species of serpent dreaded some colossa
enemy, which might be the great serpen
or cayman, and they reunlte themselve!
after seeing the enemy, SO as to resist tht
enemy in a mass