New Orleans daily crescent. [volume] ([New Orleans, La.]) 1851-1866, 1857-02-23
From the Louisville Journal
Wonderful Astronomical Discoveries.

HoPKINsvILLE Jan. IA, lS57.-Gcntlenle1 Oh
serving a paragraph in the Daily Journal of a few
days since stating that the satellites of Jupiter were
visible to the naked eye when reflected by com
mon looking glass, we sailed forth few evenings
since in company with several friends, children and
niggers to take view Of their moonships The glass
soon fixed in proper position for reflection, and
in perfect good faith, each one OF us took solemn
view. Sure enough, there, shining with intense brl.
liancy, was Jupiter, and on either side with meek y
luster but perfect dstnctness were reflected his ad-
miring moons Gas we supposed)
Certainly it struck me as little singular that the
reflections were thus distinct and visible when the
satellites themselves We're not to be SEEN it being
commonly received law and opinion that the retec'
ton is always less distinct than the object rejected
But had not the editors of the Louisville Journal al
tirmed they could be seen and not here ocular
demonstration of the fact Pshaw the msst hard
ened ntide and inveterate sceptic would be ashamed
of his doubts in such case, supported by such au-
thority.
There were many learned labored and lenghthy ex-
plantations of the phenomenon to the great sastac-
ton of the stronger and wiser sex, and the infinite
edificaton of female audience, and curious theories
upon reflection and its laws in general that would
cause Newton Franklin, ETC., to stare with astonlsh-
ment if they could but have heard them.
One friend at my side, of remarkable mental acu-
men, affirmed he clearly discerned the satellites with
the naked eye, without the assistance of the mirror
have high regard for his probity in general, but
confess am somewhat inclined to be skeptical on this
point and suspect he merely wished to plume himself
a little upon his superior acuteness of vision.
Such splendors being revealed to us in regard to
Jupiter and his satellites, we naturally thought we
could do no better than make further observations
and investigations with the instrument, and sue
ceeded in making some of the most remarkable as
Economical discoveries of this or any other age.
Imagine our surprise on finding Mercury attended
by two admiring moons foil to his own briancy
to find that the moon, herself attendant, had EN-
ployed two lesser satellites to accompany her in hel
travels to find that every respectable star that could
| make decent reflection was accompanied by two
| smaller And, pursuing our observations, We
were quite dumbfounded at discovering that by hold
! ing candle at suitable distance from the mirror
reflected we not only the light, but on either
side smaller jet Of light.
Seriously Messrs. Editors what did you mean by
publishing such a hoax, and thus setting all yoni
readers agog with astronomical curiosity! You dc
not know how many cases Of death from cold yot
may have occasioned by thus sending folks out these
cold nights to admire the Satellites of Jupiter
Just think Of the serious consequences that may
have ensued, and be more particular how you hoaa
| us next time.
By the way Messrs. Editors, you at least owe you
readers explanation of the illusion produced, ant
we claim it as indemnity for lost time and wound
ed vanity. We acknowledge the corn--we wer
hoaXed. Now tell US how it is done. M****%"***.