North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1867-08-28

The Moon.
| Many of our readers are interested in
the weather comments of Mr.. SHAW, Of
Wisconsin. We publish the following com.
munication because it is both scientific and
pretty it is preferable, as reading matter
to a congressional speech or TRADE Of
abuse towards those who may differ with
us in political or religious opinions. The
reference to the signs Of the Zodiac may
be Greek to many, but others will compre
hend and perhaps instruct those who de-
sire information in astronomical science.
MEssRs. EDITORS We have just passed
the Harvest Moon," as the ancients call
ed it, which occurred early on the morning
of the 18th inst. AS do not expect ma
ny persons understand its actual meaning
| will endeavor to explain. 3r @." "..
The Harvest Full Moon is distinguished
as affording extraordinary light soon after
sunset. in the Autumnal season, for reap
ring the fruits of the earth, and gathering
the harvest so usefully contrived by Prov.
idence. i5i
This Full Moon happens for most ad-
vantage, when the angle of the Ecliptic,
or Moons orbit, and the horizon, at moon
rising, makes the least angle, being when
the sign dries rises and Libra sets-and
contrarily, when Libra rises and dries
sets. This angle of the ecliptic, and the
horizon is the greatest when the sign Pisce,
rises and Virgo sets, or nearly the greatest
when Virgo rises and Pisces sets--so that
the Autumnal and Vernal full moons af.
ford the greatest and least light, also rising
the soonest and latest, after sunset respec-
lively. Again, when the Harvest Full
Moon at rising happens to be in the begin
ming of Aries, and near her Nodes, or has
but small latitude, the angle that the moons
orbit then makes with the horizon at ris-
ing, will be least, or nearly SO and there
fore her depression below the horizon for
one days motion, or more, will be the least
also, when she will afford the greatest light
for the Farmers use, rising the soonest af-
ter sunset for a week. 1t is evident this
full moon will always happen near the
Autumnal Equinox las is providentially
ordered), when the Sun sets in Libra,-the
intervals of her rising for two successive
evenings will be very small, scarcely ex-
ceeding 20 minutes Of time. In Summer,
the full moons are low, and stay but short,
when nights are short, and moonlight is
least wanted. In Winter, the full moons
90 high, and stay long, when nights are
long, when moonlight is most wanted =
therefore this is one of the innumerable
instances of the most consummate wisdom
Of the Supreme Being, in the contrivance
of his works of creation.
Twill further add s. The Moon, as it is
the most beautiful object in nature. SO it is
the most useful and necessary part of Gre
alton. 1t was the opinion of our forefath-
crs, that by her influence all vegetables
and animals are preserved from destruc-
ton, her motion regulates our time and
tides, and her light alleviates the disconso-
late darkness Of our winter nights, by res
toring in part the blessings of the absent
luminary, and though but small in bulk,
if compared with other stars, yet does she
reflect more light to US, than all these stars
put together. She net only softens the
melancholy of the night, but is true sat
elite placed near the dwelling of mankind,
and an active sentinel in many successive
posts to give fresh signals and notice from
each.
The surface of the Moon is greatly di-
yersifed with inequalities, which through
good achromatic telescope, have the ap-
pearancc of hills and valleys, land and wa
ter, and is beautiful object to behold, es-
pecially when she is nine or ten days old,
or even, all the time from the new to the
full moon, which may be viewed every eve,
ming, when the air is clear. I. s. SHAW
Eastman, Aug. 90, '67.
A man got tipsy, and INDUCED in a
nights sleep in country grave yard
On opening his eyes in the morning, he
noticed the motto ON grave stone-' lie
is nf lenl hnt Slaeneth ~ ssWhan I am