The Jackson standard. [volume] (Jackson C.H., Ohio) 1847-1888, 1857-05-28
For the aJAck.oN SrANpAnp.'
The Comet,

leu 10 lear tne INSTRUCTION OIL In5 WoIlu.-
It's now being circulated throughout the
world, and generally believed, that very
remarkable comet is to make its appear
ance soon, and even it is stated by some,
that it is already visible. l find as min
gle with the people, that many are be-
coming greatly alarmed, supposing, as
the rumor has went out, that a collision
between the approaching comet and our
earth will occur, and-bIot our fair globe
from tue Solar System. That comet is
fast approaching and may be visible, may
all be true, but nevertheless the comet
should not be regarded as extraordinary,
for comets have made their appearance in
all ages Of the world and very frequently;
some have been more brilliant than others,
and have produced much more exton-
ded term. About 100 have been observ-
ed since the Christian era. am some
what at a loss to know what comet is now
being looked for. Some of my neighbors
say it is Haleys, and l noticed few
days since in one of our periodicals that
Halley's was the one expected, but that
cannot be. Halley's comet as it is term.
ed made its appearance in the year 1856,
creating CONSERVATION among all classes
of people. The belief was general that
the comet would destroy the earth, and
that the Day of Judgment was at hand!
At the time Of the appearance of this COM
eL, the Turks extended their victorious
arms across the Hellespont, and seemed
destined to overrun all Europe. This ad-
ded not little to the general gloom
Under all these impressions, the people
seemed totally regardless of the presep
and anxious only for the future.
The Romish Church held at this peri,
cd unbounded sway over the lives, and
fortunes, and conscicnces of men. To
prepare the world for its expected doom,
Pope Calixtus ILL., ordered the Abe Ma
ria to be repeated three times day, in,
: stead of two. lie ordered the church
bells 10 be rung at noon, which was the
origin that practice, SO universal in Chris
tian churches. To the Abe Maria, the
. prayer was added-"Lord, save us from
! the Devil, the Turk, and the Comet
and once each day, these there obnoxious
personages suffered regular excommu
D nicalion. The Pope and clergy, exhibit
g ing such fear it is not a matter of sur
prise that it become the ruling passion o
- the multitude. The Churches and con
vents were crowded for confession o
: sins; and treasures uncounted were pour
5 ed into the Apostolic Chamber. Til,
T comet after remaining few days o
months perhaps, disappeared from thos'
eyes which had gazed upon it with 81
much terror. Joy and tranquility sool
! returned to the people, but not their mon
y ;. ey and lands. The same comet appear
ed again in the years 1881, 1907, 1852
1858, and in 1885, and will appear agail
in 1911, and every 754 years thereafter
1t has been well established that its revo
luton is performed every 75t years. S,
it is evident that the cometno approach
= ing cannot be Halley's, as some of ou
periodicals. have asserted. Another com
n ct which has engaged the attention o
y Astronomers for the last twenty five o
$ thirty years, is known as Encko's comet
" 80 called% from Professor Encke, of Ber
lin, who first ascertained its poriodca
y return. II Is distinguished from all 9th
}. = essby thf shcrtness of its periodical rev
e olutions. Ut was discovered in the yea
:. 1918, atsMarAilles;sand it has been sat
/ isfactorily ascerlainod that it performs it
$ revolution round the sun in about year
'r and four months. 1t was Grst seen b
g. Messier and Mechain in 1896, and in l79
!. " by Miss Caroline Herschel. 1t has ais
n becn observed by different astronomers i
A, the years 1905, 1919, 1929, 1899, 1885
1888, l84l, 1914, l848, 1851, 1854
: and will appear again in 1853. This CON
D ct is very small; its light is quite fecbl,
1, 4 ii has no tail; it is invisible to the make
!, eye, except in very favorable crcumstar
"a ces, but may be seen with small mas
nifying power. Another comet that hi
> engaged the careful attention of the earl
!. ed world for several years past, is know
+, as Biela' $, and sometimes Gombart's con
in ct. 1t performs its revolution in about
II. years. 1t was first observed in 1889, an
81 then in 1893, and has performed its p
'Ic riodical revolutions every 6a years, al
~ ~ will appear again in the year 1859. II
n. predicted appearance of this comet in 1