North Iowa times. [volume] (McGregor, Iowa) 1867-current, 1868-04-15
Weather Pre- dicliOns for May.

ed in few days by wind and showers OF
rsin-cxpect thuEder storms, and hail in
some places through the middle of the
menth-thcn cold for the season and
wind. Pleasant spring weather the last
few days Of the month.
High winds or rain may be expected
near the 7th, l4th, 18th, 23d, and the
Both.
On the Esd, the planet Saturn and the
Sun are in square or quartilc aspect, caus-
ing the atmosphere to be cold for the sea-
son, and unsettled for shcrt time
There may he frost in some parts.
"Now enters in the charming month of May,
The helds and groves pleasant, fine and gay;
Birds in the bushes warble fortl, and sing,
Rejoicing greatly in the glorious Spring;
Young rustic maids at even take walk,
Under sweet grove, and with their lovers talk
We hear perpetually of those who are
keenly appreciative of the value and beau
ty Of Astronomy, and yet forego the study
because they believe it to surrounded by
insuperable difficulties; at least to them
selves. This is undoubtedly true with re-
gard to the abstruse computations Of pro-
fessional calculators, but the substantial
results may be comprehended by any one
who chooses to read the best popular
works on the subject. l should recon-
mend to the young student as beginning,
"Bonny castle;" and then "Sir John Her.
schel's treatise" The leading facts, apart
from the methods by which they are es-
tablished, are all that people in general
need attempt to grasp; and those who are
content to know so far may derive intel
Iectual enjoyment by familiarizing them
selves with the various appearances Of the
celestial bodies.
Astronomy may well be praised Of its
position; it has established system which
cannot be shaken, and although there may
be some few who serve their Maker under
the idea that the earth is plane, and the
sun diurnally revolving ball of fire; it is
certain that the admiration of the Crea-
tors power is greater amongst the vast
majority whose information is derived
from the realities of modern philosophy.
But the despotism of theological power
was wont to dread the mercst dawn of
scientific light; superstition was an agent
not to be relinquished by those who gov
erned by fear, and it was only after long
and severe struggles that the tue princi-
Piles of natural law, were triumphant over
the dogmas of liberty. Now we know that
earthly sovereignty grows stronger under
free enquiry, whilst each fact that tends
to fuller understanding of HIN who 'ru-
leth the heavens is another step towards
the universal exercise of true religion
The more truth is promulgated the better
for the whole community-and yet, how
often we are told, with reference to vari-
ous questions that strongly concern us all,
that the people are not ripe to receive
hem, as though safety lay in ignorance.
It is strange that such a state Of things
should have existed so many years!
In the old world of philosophy, when
men gave the rein to metaphysical dis
,ussion, founding long arguments upon
mere imaginary bases, it was thought
precaution to present every sup
posed discovery in an enigmatical form.
Thus the results of speculation upon even
morals and religion were shrouded from
he vulgar in propositions whose obscurity
them studied occult. Astrono-
ners were in no wise exempt from this
mistaken notion. kepler, the great pre-
cursor of Newton, ventured upon the pub
icstion Of wild series of conjectures,
Mingled with some truths, under the title
If .Mysteriun, Cosmographicum, and when
le had unveiled a law which has been q
guide to all succeeding computors, he an
it in word Of awful length and
ntelligibility. Newton himself declared
ais principle Of gravitation in the full
oomp Of latinity most welcome to the
orejudices of bis day.
Fortunately for the existing generation,
hese pedantic and narrow ideas have fin
llly succumbed to the common sense Of
he age, which care for the fact itself, and
only requires that it should be clearly ex-
piained. In this way knowledge is cx-
tended to every class, and the most un-
admirer Of nature is enabled to
many Of its grandest phenom.
ma.
"Omcn Of evil thou vert erce cstcem'd,
All ills pretending, hut 10 science now
The duh eclipse q welcome sight Is deem'd--
fact foretold that none may dsAvow."