Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1859-02-04

delivered his third lecture on Astronomv Last
night, at the Smithsonian; the branch Of the sub
)ect treated OF being planetary distances The
distances OF the heavenly bodies from the earth
are computed on precisely the same principle
that the width Of a river Is ascertained without
se.ual Measurement In the case Of a river q
base line Is measured OF on one side Of IL and a
triangle struck with this by an instrument on the
other side. This triangle Is resolved and the
widtn OF the river ascertained as accurately as II
IL had been measured across with a chafn-in
Tact much more so. as the measurement by es
taoiishing and resolving the triangle Is perfect
while the other must be subject to more or less
naecuracy. This triangle, In reference to heav-
emily bodies, is called the paralax Of the respect
i've body, and the computation the resolving of
the paraiax. The first effort that had ever been
made to ascertain the distance OF a heavenly body
was In the case Of the sun and moon, by Aristo-
tie, 3OO years before the Christian era Having
to operate with the naked eye, without the aid Of
the perfected mathematical instruments of later
times, he had awaited himself Of the changes Of
the moon. making his observations at full and al
half moon. In this way he computed the re-
lauye but not absolute distances of the sun and
moon, making that Of the sun nineteen times
greater than that Of the moon. Although the
psipciple upon which the computation was based
wax correct, the computation itself was far from
tight, the real distance of the sun being about
fouT hurdTed times that Of the moon. The alb
sOlute distance OF the moon from the earth /. es-
tImated at 2i7 OO miles and Of the 10 600 600
The absolute distance Of the sun from the earth
had always been considered the grandest prob
lrm; and the transits of Venus acros, the sun
Were considered the most favorable opportuni-
Ties known TO astronomers Of computing this dis
lance correctly. The tTansits OF I16I and l16y
had been the most important and interesting
eTds In astronomical science On those occasions
the governments of England, F rance and Russia
had sent scientific men TO all parts OF the world
for the purpose OF making observations of the
transit These observations had been exchanged
astronomical calculations The Opposition Of
the planet Mars had also added to the data of
astronomical calculations, but has not given A
satisfactory results as the transit of Venus The
next transit OF Venus is estimated to take place
on the Sth Of December, 1874, and scientific men
sfe already talking Of preparations to make the
most out Of the event.
SUPREME CouRr.-Yesterday, Oscar Stephen
son, Esq Of Minnesota, was admitted an attor-
ney and counsellor Of this Court.
No 81 Leslie Combs, appellant, agt Andrew
Hodges administrator ct al Appeal from the
Cfcuit Court United States for the District of
Columbia. Mr.. Justice Campbell delivered the
opinion Of the Court, reversing the decree of the
said Circuit Court, with costs, and remanding
the cause for further proceeding, In confOr mity
TO the opinion Of this Court
No IS. Henry Hill, plaintiff in error act Ca
leo smith et as. In error to tue Circuit Court
United states for the district of Indiana Mr.
Justice Grier delivered the opinion Of the Court,
reversing the judgment of the said Circuit Court
with costs, and TeuIanding the Cause for further
proceedings, In conformity to the opinion Of this
Court
No 3 Rufus Allen ct al appellants. act Hem
wi Newb.rry, claimant Of the steamboat Fash
lon, &c. Appeal from the District Court United
states for the district of Wisconsin,. Mr.. Justice
Nelson delivered the opinion Of the court, All mn
Ing the decree Of the said District Court in this
cause, with costs.
No 80 George smith, appellant, agt John J
orion Appeal from the District Court United
states Tor the district Of Wisconsin Mr. JUS
tice Catron delivered the opinion of the Court,
reversing the decree Of the said District Court
with costs, and REMINDING the cause for further
Court - '-'
No. 80. The owners OF the brig "Jas Grav.n
appellants, agt. The owners of the ship "John
Fraser" and the steamer General CIinch ,,
Appeal from the Circuit Court United States for
the district Of South Carolina. Mr. Chief JUS
ice fancy delivered the opinion Of the Court,
reversing the decree Of the said Circuit Court
Win costs, and remanding the cause for further
proceedings, In conformity to the opinion of this
No so. The people OF the State of New York
81 rel, Asa Cutler ct a! plaintiffs in error, agt
Edward e. Dibble, county Judge The argu-
nlent OF this cause was commenced by Mr. ] /.
Brown Tor The plaintiffs in error, and continued
by Mr. Martindale for the defendant in error
Adjourned.
DiscHARGED -Ourc citizens generally feel de ID
w Interested on account of the position which
some two hundred mechanics are placed in by
the discharge on the day before yesterday, from
the new Capitol works, on account of the apDro
pIlatlon Tor their construction being exhausted
n large number of these men are hard WORKING
citizens Of Washington, who have their fami
lies To support by their daily labor and who nv
Ihr giving out OF the Government work, are de-
PIlVed In The middle VI winter OF the means II
support. We learn that a committee Of fhree of
The discharged wOrkmen paid a visit to Secretary
FLOYD on "Wednesday morning with a proposal
from the discharged hands TO be allowed To re-
sumo work on credit, and trust to Chances for
their paw, rather than remain for several month,
Idle The Secretary heard the delegation with
heaT ssssws -
blrs, promising to do every thing in hi, nower 10
assist them in their end. avors to obtain work
lie promised to communicate with Capt. Meigs
upon the subject OF their proposal, and let them
know the result on Saturday
Circuit COuBT.-Yesterday,t the Court wa,
engaged with the case Of Young & King act.
Ritter Haines, in which action is brought for
the recovery Of the value OF a boat load Of wheat
lost 10 December, ISL, In the Potomac river du-
Tlng freshet. The wheat, belonging to the
plaintiffs, was shipped al Edwards Ferry on
board q canal boat belonging to the defendants
VINO Were unable to steer the boat by reason Of
the current, and il struck on a rock and was
crushed, the cargo, Of course, being lost. Plain
Tins lay damages on the alleged ground Of bad
management OF the boat; and the defence is that
The boat Was uncomfortable and beyond the
power TO save IL or the cargo
The jury returned verdict for tie defendants
The court then took up the case Of Doe dem
John w Massey agt. w Deetz survivor Of
Elizabeth, an eJectment suit which occupied the
court the remainder Of the day, and was resumed
this morning.
IAE THEArRE-Ayery large and fashionable
audience were In attendance at the theatre last
night, to witness that admirable comedy " The
school for Scandal IL was well performed
thToug bout, and elected frequent rounds of an
plause from the audience. ALI the company a.,
serve credit Tor the satisfactory manner in which
they acquitted themselves
The Performance to- MIC nj is nj ~ % L.
and Faces" in which Miss Davenport, as PEI
Wellington, Is much admired
Or course our citizens will remember Miss
DdVenPorps benefit to- morrow night and give
tne genial good girl an assurance Of their appre-
Citation That she will not soon forget
ODD kLLows' HALL A treat for the juv eniles
Is offered for tomorrow afternoon at this Hall in
the exhibition Of the Russian War Dioramas
These entertainments have heretofore been so
largely attended by ladies and children that
every seat and standing place in the Hall was
nlled, and numbers have been unable TO obtain
"a