Weekly North Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1850-1858, 1858-07-07
For the Standard.
Stanuaru.
LUNAR CANALLlNG-AN ALLEGoRY.

In a certain planet which revolves on its axis
to the earth, called Moon, there may be found
near to the lunar ocean, and in the midst of some
swamp lands that lie adjacent to bay that is sepa
rated from that ocean by a strip of dry land
three or four reservoirs, called by the inhabitants
now living in their vicinity, Lakes. BY what names
sounds these reservoirs were known and called
by the aboriginal inhabitants, or those who were
there found when the present of settlers that
mmigrated thither from the Eastern portion of the
lunar hemisphere, we cannot ascertain by looking
into the scanty records memorials that have come
down to times. But there is a tradition still ex>
tant to the manner in which of them, the
largest and which is situated nearest to the bay
above mentioned, formed to exhibit its
present appearance. 1t is said that its place was
first known 10 the aborgines land, low, fiat, and
dcnSely covered by huge forest trees and thickly
set arborescent growth; and that at period of
time which according TO their mode Of computing
time, for they have calendar which differs but
little from that by which the inhabitants the plan
etary orb called the Earth reckon time, it is said
by antiquarians,) and which corresponds with the
Year of Grace 1879, general confagraton occurred
which continued its ravages among these trees and
growth, not sparing the soft porous and spongy soil
in which they grew, for lapse Of time known TO
who nhabit the latter orb being thirteen periods
during which our moon shines. Their mode of in
dcang these periods of time the settlers from the
East, by pointing their observation to some lu-
mnary that shone by borrowed light, and using
the digita mode of counting which is by making
thirteen touches upon the tips of the fingers Of the
right left hand. These aborigncs further said that
after the fire eXtingushed and the smoke and
por was blown away, all that remained of this once
densely set forest innumerabe charred logs and
Sumps and a chaSIn made in the Sos surface to the
depth of several feet for many miles in extent; that
soon thereafter the rains descended and the floods
came and filled this basin reservoir as full it
conld hold, and 10 it thoy gave the name Malta mus
keet. But be that as it may and it is not improb.
able that this tradonary story is. like many others
invented in time with view to amuse and en-.
terrain listener during vacant hour, mere moon
shine.
This much it is said, however, is certain, and we
believe it to be true, that all these lakes, well
all lakes that found upon the orb we inhabit,
undere atmosphere, in which clouds are found
floating and are turned in whatever direction the
current in that atmosphere, called winds. chance to
blow them 1t is not certain that all these clouds
do contain water; for they may, and doubtless some
OF them do not but are as they often are called
wind clouds Yet true it is that certain Of them
having dark color and emitting gs;ening, bright
and sparkling light, which is succeeded by a loud
noise found impcndent all these lakes and
then water, some fluid analogous to it, deScends
and even solids, called among us hail and snow, do
descend in copious showers upon all Of them, and
also upon the low and moist lands adjacent to them;
which shows that there, well as our orb grav-
tation, known to us, attans, and so they
to each other that the droppings from these impend
ing clouds do produce the same average quantity Of
water in one that is found in the rest 1t has
yet been known, for instance, that one of them has
its water reduced when the rest have been filled TO
I their brm bank; and this however unsatisfac-
tory it may be to the scientific observer and enqu-
rer into causes it is merely of a negative charac
ter is all that adduce evidence of the above
statement, until that curious instrument called q
rain gauge shall to be used in these parts and
| diary be kept of its indications. One thing ap.
pears to be conceded certain and true, that none
of them have increase by spring water, but solely
| by rain or some liquid or solid coming down from
these Clouds Iindeed it were suspected that in all
this lunar territory such thing spring OF water
could be found, Of the Eastern settlers would
be solace themselves with rain water,
caught in its fall upon the house top, and thence
conveyed for use into troughs and tanks; but would
call for and obtain the aid of some one Of their sons,
best educated in the mysteries of the science of n.y.
Hrostatics and hydraulics in order to procure for
them what they think is purer water than is furn.
ished by the unttered and gaseous droppngs from
these clouds. There is branch of a very recon.
dite science, in the knowledge of which, some o
these baygirt inhabitants Of the largest lake are re-
puted to be peculiarly instructed and so far as they
have yet put in practice the art that belongs to this
branch of it, they give evidence that they have
worked well and may we'll boast; because they are
imitators of the very best models to them known
That art need scarcely say, is ditchng. The hrs
trials in this art were made by them under the like
disadvantages that attend all beginnings they Lacked
good tools as we'll as skillful workmen to excavatt
their soil, and after they had made drain, it wa
found OIL trial to be- cases too short, IN oth
ers too wide at bottom to sustain the top, IN SOM
instances the stumps were not so smoothly shavet
as to prevent drift from lodging and in three or lou
instances the water would keep on its course IN
direction contrary to that intended it could not
! do IL h,,kf fhn caCp OfteQeS