North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1868-05-27
WHOLE No. 6O6.
iary in the changes Of heat, light, cold
dryness, moisture, &c.

Jury in the changes of heat, light, cold,
dryness, moisture, &c.
The Moon, too, is not devoid of some
very powerful influences, both on things
animate and inanimate. We see the tides
ebb and flow ut the influence of her power
from her proximity to the earth. Her
waxing and waning, too, have their respec-
tive influences on the Clouds rs well as on
the animal and vegetable economy
These well known facts naturally tend to
the following inquiry:
Have the Planets, too, no influence upon
or atmosphere? Are their proximity to,
or remotcness from the Sun and Earth,
not connected with the changes of tenn
perature, the violence of the winds, and the
electrical displays so frequently witnessed
in our atmosphere? Is there no connect
ing medium between them and our Earth,
beyond the atmosphere's bounds? or is all
an sching void-a complete racuum? Is
there no conducting medium by which the
A"AuCtiSO Stl ICuCI tliiS ultic
speck," our earth? IF there be not, how
is it that the Moon is capable of exercising
an influence at the distance of 100000
miles, seeing that our atmosphere does not
extend more than 50 miles from the carth's
surface? Is the solar system, (for
this is the utmost stretch of our inquiry,
regulated by leaves which have been pro-
mulgated by our learned ancestors? And
is not the earth one of those orbs, which
is regulated by this common law, or uni
versal influence? Do we not ascribe heat
to the Sun, and moisture to the Moon, as re-
CARDS our Planet and its surrounding at
mosphere? And may we not, by diligent
research and patient Investigation, he
enabled to ascribe some peculiar proper
ties or influences appertaining to reach
the planets in our system? Or, on the
contrary, to prove that they have no in
huence at all At all events. is not this
an inquiry worth making research be-
coming the God-like talent of intelligent
men? Or are we to take it for granted,
that because our ancestors have not thought
it worth their while to investigate inquir-
les that are likely to be productive of the
utmost Importance to science, and of the
most beneficial consequence to man, that
we are not to step out of the long beaten
trauk? Are we, in fact, to rest satisfied
with treading only in the same steps as
have been so successfully trodden by a
keplar, q Gallileo, n wton, a Herschel,
o. a LaPlace? Have they not paved the
way in the most admirable manner, by
their discoveries, by their furnishing us
with complete map of the Heavcns-by
fixing for us the precise place, in the
ETHEREAL vault of every planet, satellite.
constellation, and the various groups of
Nebula? Have they not calculated the
Eclipses for many years to come, and
furnished us with the rules for calculating
them for ages yet to come, to the very
second of time they will take place, and
are not the returns, and actual paths Of
the many comets accurately calculated,
and laid down in our celestial charts?
could considerably extend these remarks
as it is, l am only apprehensive your
readers will consider me too obtrusive.
l have been induced to write this lengthy
article in reply to many inquiries, repeat
edly made to me of late, to explain in
what manner Astronomy and Metcorology
are supposed to be connected. thought
it better for the answer to come com plets
through the TINES, and / trust have done
it to be easily understood.
THos. S. SHAW.
EASTMAN, Wis, May Is, 1868.