Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1868-01-25
The Turning Star.

The following accounted ain event more aw-
full and sublime ihanthe most vivid imagina-
ton can fully conceive, is given by Edwin Dun
kin,ofthe Royal Observatory, England. 1t is
only one OF several similar eases on record la
May last, star blazed forth in the Northern
Grown, and was,of the second magnitude. The
astronomers gave il Immediate scientific obser-
lvation, and2recordetfe the result in technical
terms, Which need not be repeated:
There can he little doubt that, from cause
unknown to Us, G must have heen the subjec
Of terrible catastrophe at Period perhaps dis
tant; for it must be borne in mind that, owing TO
its immense distance from us, We. may tie only
witnessing The calamity OF the passage. From
the sudden blazing forth Of this star, and then
its rapid fading away, Mr.. Higgins and Dir.
Miller have suggested thatin consequence OF a
great internal convulsidn, probably 4 large
quantity Of hydrogen and other glasses We're
emitted from IT,
Daring discussion OF this star, at meet
ing OF the Royal Astronomical Society, on June
9Th, the astronomer royal expressed his firm
belief chat the wonderful object was actually in
flames.
l. Ii we were inclined to speculate on this
unique astronomical phenomenon, or the proba-
Die consequences arising from such a sudden
outburst OF fiery gas, what an extensive subject
Tor contemplation is opened to us Aslro-
n0lnically we have known this minute star fer
years without suspicion; it has been Classified
with others OF similar magnitude; it has been
one of many millions OF such; while now it
will be relnem bcred by all future generations
as one OF the most celebrated stars Of the uni
verse Or, let our speculation be carried a
little further, and LET Us reasonably suppose
this small and hitherto nearly invisible OF ject
10. be an immense globe like our own sun, and
surrounded probably with planets and STATED
litcs depending upon their centre for light and
heat; what would be the effect OF this sudden
conhagration on them? 1t makes one almost
shudder at the idea Of 4 system of worlds be.
ing anuhi!ated at once without warning, but
such must doubtless be the fact. We, however,
in his quiet world Of ours can scarcely, per
hapS realize such Il catastrophe; but were our
sun, which Is only star analogous to those in
the heavens around us, to be suddenly ignitch
in a similar manner to this distant and I'M
known SIM all its attendant planets and satel
li!rS, the Garth included, would be destroyed.
ENTERTAINMENT IN HONOR OF GEN GRANT.
A brilliant social festival took place at the
residence OF Gen. Schoield, "Wednesday night
The event was in honor OF Gen. u. S. Graut
and his colleagues Of the Peabody Educa tional
Fund, who were the prominent guests Of the
occasion. 1t deserves to be specially mention
ed The guests from abroad were Gen. Grant
and lady Bishop Mc[lVaine, of Ohio; MIR.
and Mrs Samuel Wetmore, OF New York;
Hon. Hamilton Fish and lady, New FORK ; Ex
Governor Aiken, Of South Carolina George
W. Riggs, Esq, Of Washington; George N.
Eatoo E%q. and daughter, of Maryland; and
Geo. Peabody Russell, Esq, Of Massachusetts.
The resident guests included Governor PER-
point and lady, Dr.. Sharpe and lady j; Ger.
Granger aud lady Col ChalGn and lady, and
Miss Gwinn, OF Mississippi; Col. Burnham,
lady, daughters and son. Colonel Gibson AMI
lady Cen Brown and lady; Colonel Stanton
and lady; Major Goodhue and lady; COL
Dupont, Major Brown, Major Layton, Col
Campbell, Cap Ennis and Cap Rathhonc, Of
Gen Schofeld' s staff. -Richn1ond IFhin
sCULpEpER Court HOUSE "A letter in the
Richmond Wing from Cnlpepcr Court House,
says: '''rbe court house remains in shattered
condition, having received hut little attention
since it's abuse at the hands of the Federal
army. [ am glad 10 write, however, that
thorough repairs to The building, as we'll as
the re.enciosure Of the lawn, are contenlp plat
ed The tidy, thrifiyIown of Culpeper is an
energetic and recuperatve one, and from all
indications is rapidly resuming its ante beunl
status, as a prosperous inland mart. Stages
connect this point with the Luray Valley. -
Here, too, is the depot for large section of
rich country, and considerable commerce and
traffic are sustained by we'll lreighted wagons
from Madison, Rappahannock and other coun
ties: Travellers going North over the Orange
road may congratulate themselves that they
hold up here for dinner, as the "Waverly
House, that handy, handsome, hospitable
hotel, right at the station, is still in unezcep-
honable operation -