The Washington union. [volume] (City of Washington [D.C.]) 1857-1859, 1858-09-19
CITY INTELLIGENCE.

celestial visitor il is quite conspicuous object aud null
titudes of stargaze nightly turning their gaze in
that direction. IL may be readily by the naked eye
any clear evening, from about quaer-past seven to
eight o'clock, although it is OF course viewed to much
better advantage with telescope, of low power
not magnifying than ten or twenty times 1t is
now situated the hind of Ursa Major and ID
moving towards Arcturus or in other words 1T Is near
the horizon and ranging with the known AS the
pointers the comet being about far the left Of tho
pointers the north star is to their right Tho tail is
toleraby well defined and about three degrees length
This comet frat discovered Che I'd Of June last
by Prof Donati, in Florence, Italy 1t first in
this country by Henry M. Pakhurst of Perth Arnboy
New jersey on the goth of the month-no infor-
nation having then been received of its discovery
In Europe One or two nights afterwards. it dis
covered by Miss Maria Mitchell, of Nantucket, Mass
who also supposed that it had been previously
Thus there three independent discoveries of this
comet while it faint only be visible with
telescope about the size of of the eleventh mag
nitude. very striking characteristic of this comet
when 1t first discovered, its extremely slow
ton, The great distance Of the comet and the direction
of its motion from the earth, combined to render
its apparent geocentro motion very small In consequence
of this slowness of motion it was very difficult for as
tronomen TO fix upon its orbit with much
Cyl and there has been considerable difference OF
opinion upon that subject 1t has already been visible
in this country through telescope for months and
half and, notwithstanding the numerous observations
that have been made it is doubtful whether or not II
has passed its pehelon the point where it nearest
the sum- According to the elements calculated by
Mr. George Seare assistant at the Dudley observatory
it passed its pehelion the 18th instant the orbit as
calculated at the National Observatory here gives result
nearly similar according to the orbit calculated at
the Cambridge Observatory it should reach its peri
heon until about the goth instant but Mr. Parkhurst
assigns period about week later than that He states
that he comet will be approaching both the earth and the
until October Tor at least not materially recedng
from the sum- and will not probably reach its maximum
of inhaaa brightness before the middle of October 1t
will therefore continue to grow conspicuous until IL
begins to be again merged in the twilight But it will
very change its course the South and move 30
rapidly that it is not likely that it will be seen 80 late
My last observations seemed to indicate decidedly clip
teal orbit He thinks that the orbit cannot be para
boc, paraboic orbit would not correspond with tho
observed positions of the comet in June and July last
An elliptcal orbit the epse being of moderate eccen
tcity would give period of revolution around the sun
much shorter than parabola The elements correspond
very nearly with those of the first comet of 1927 and with
those of the comet of 1854 This would make the period
of revolution about thirty years, and allow of two
revolutions between 1764 and 1927 as difference of
counted for by perturbaons. If this be the correct
PERIOD its next return may be expected about 1889 or
1890. pod" ...t
Nd LIE PARopIs CONCERT. The farewell concert of this
avorite and distinguished canatrice attended by
select and fashionable audience and most en-
Enthusiastically signora Parod appears not to have lost
any of those powers capabilities of which have
secured her such eminent rank artist and she
ably seconded by the other vocal and instrumental
performers The concert commenced with piece writ
ten by Schubert performed by Moenhaner the vio-
loncelo the audience astonshcd and delighted
at the wonderful SKILL rapdity of execution and purity
of tone exhibited in this performance He subsequently
played the "Carnva of Venice in equally artistic man.
s'Una vocepoco ia, sung by Signora Parod was
perhaps piece of the evening Madame Johaunsen
sung an aria from 'Travat which displayed her exibl
ity of voice good advantage and the young American
contrato, Miss Annie Kemp, sung Ihe Dearest Spot on
Earth to Me" in pleasing style. Her voice is very
sweet and though not very powerful shows evidence
of careful cultivation. On being encored, she gave
beautiful Trolian melody The playing of Salter brought
down perfect tempest of applause. We have rarely
witnessed such facility and expression combined with
clearness of tone and power, in pianist and some
parts of his performance reminded us of Ihalberg The
distinguished basso, NJ Junca made very favorable
impression. lie possesses commanding figure and a
judging of its compass. The young English tenor Mr.
Mard also acquitted himself we'll On the whole, the
concert triumphant success and gave unalloyed
qualification to all who present .-
The THEATRE closed its second week last evening The
engagement of Mr. Booth has been successful one and
his performances have given much satisfaction. He has
undeninbly great talents and with proper study and
training will doubt be able to inscbe his upon
the roll of fame in enviable position. The acquire
mens of Kemble Kean the result of years of
assduous toll and Mr. Booth has the advantage not only
of the prestige of his fathers and reputation but of
which enabled the elder Booth to sway the feelings his
audience at his will. 1t would be unjust to expect the
son. while yet young man, to excel the father even
to equal him in all respects but still, must say that
at times he nearly if not quite up to the measure
of his fathers greatness With few years of ex-
perience he may claim to take rank with the first TRACE
dams of the age.
During the present week Mr. and Mrs Florence will
appear The pieces in which they perform of highly
amusing description and although the characters are
rather overdrawn yet the design to shoot folly az IL
flies and perhaps instead Of always holding the mirror
up nature 1t is well sometimes to use magnifyng
glass.
MouSr VERNON RpcoHD We have received copy Of
and interesting periodical bearing this title which
is published monthly at Philadelphia in quarto FORM
under the patronage Of the regent and ladies of the
Mount Vernon Association of the Union The price is
only dollar year and it is devoted to the advocacy