The Panola star. ([Panola] Panola County, Miss.) 1856-1857, 1856-10-22
rWnnen for the Pamela Star.
AN ASTRONOMICAL ADVENTURE T;
O r.,
MENTAL EXCURSION to the 9UN
By PALMETTO.


and took q seat on the threshold Of one
of the less luminous apartments, where !
rested for short time. BY degrees ]
could bear more of its refulgence, till at
length could look out in all directions,
and scan, at one sweeping stretch OF vi
sion, all of its grandeur and sublimity
it appeared that | could discover, on diff
ferent parts of the surface, certain ma
chine-like operations, constantly manu-
featuring new rays of light and putting
them up for distribution among the count
less thousands of worlds, which are con-
stantly receiving their supplies from this
source. Whether this was really so l
could not determine from the position /
then occupied. Having but short time
to devote to Investigations here, / set
about trying to learn something OF the
true physical constitution Of this wonder
full superstructure, and passing through
the apartment which first entered, which
was near $4,000 miles in length, gained
admittance into an inner chamber OF
semi-luminous properties, and after tax.
ing a general view of this apartment, l
began to scrutinize its different parts, and
in one corner near where l stood, | dis
covered roll Of parchment, which sup
posed had been accidentally dropped there
by some lonely traveller like myself. This
proved to be the record Of some of those
ancient sages, who, from time to time, ex-
plored different portions of the sun, and
had recorded the results Of their examin-
atoms, and their opinions, a. to the
structure, luminous properties, &C., &C.,
Of this luminary.
On examining this parchment little
closer, accidentally opened to page
containing the following directions -
Go to the farther side, Of this chamber,
and after passing through along avenue,
turn to the right, and ascend staircase,
ut the top Of which you will see asmall
apartment, with these words Inscribed
over the entrance-"this is the palace OF
the guide, who viii conduct YOU through
Sweeping along at an amazing rate, soon
reached this habitation, and engaged the
services Of the guide, who conducted me
ut once to the outer surface, and standing
on an eminencs, saw what human weak.
ness could not describe. The guide told
me that the vast ocean Of liquid fire which
Galilleo supposed the sun sustained upon
his bosom, was only imaginary, and that
these notions were incorrect; though, hs
said, it is not strange that this sage should
thus have been mistaken, and handing me
stupcndous telescope, bid me look in all
directions. After had looked the guide
asked me what | saw; told him that
thought Galilleo was correct, for it ap-
peared that really saw that mighty food
up-heaving its awful pillows, rising and
receding in regular succession. This is
just what expected said he, and handing
me another more pondrous telescope, (ev-
identity of more modern construction told
me TO look with it also, which did, and
the difference in the appearance Of thing.
wac SO great that could scarcely believe
that | had been looking in the same direc.
ton. | could distinctly zee three divi.
eions OF matter in the entire composition
OF the Sun. was convinced that the lu.
old matter Of the sun was neither q liouiC
substance, nor an elastic fluid; and tina
the outer surface consisted Of luminou
clouds, extending to an immense distance
Still farther i could see vast eentra
globe, which was dark and non luminous
and there appeared to be non-luminou
stratum enclosing this inner globe With,
Its concave folds. Handing the glasses t,
the guide, ne again asked me what saw
and when l had related all, he smilingl
said, SO much for the more powerful
glasses. Now, said he, gravely, vii
here explain the phenomena you have de
described: the outer surface, or first stra
tnm, lie the great depository of light, tn
supplies of which are az inexhaustible a
eternity is never-ending /; and the antilu
mlnous globe within is that portion whic
holds together, by its attractive force, al
the planets and other bodies under its in
fuence, and it consists Of so many com
ponant parts as to possess an affinity TO
every kind of matter, possessing, of eacl
Kind, quantity corresponding to tn
distance which each is placed from it
and the under and anti luminous stratum
which you mentioned, is placed as
protecting screen to shield the inner part
from the fierce influence Of light an,
heat. The guide then said that Galille
was honest in these opinions as Others
more modern, who have made great de
velopements, and Notwithstanding. he wa