Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1869-12-29
THE GAZETTE.
WEDNESDAY EVENING. DECEMBER %.
SAVANNAH ASTRONOMICAL PHENOMENA.

SINGULAR ASTRONOMICAL PHENOMENA
From the London Spectator. More than
wear ago q discovery was announced by an as
tronomer in the southern hemisphere which
SCENE so strange and so perpexing that SIR
John Herschel, commenting ON IT, remarked
THAT no phenomenon In astronomy had yet
turned I'D presenting any thing ike the same
interest, or calculated to raise so many and
such momentous points Tor inquiry and specu
lation." One Of those mysterious nebulous
masses which astronomers had been In the
habit OF regarding as galaxies, resembling IN
extent and magnifcence the si1ereal scheme
to which the sun belongs, seemed to be under
going a most astounding series OF changes
During these winter nights, when Orion shines
with full glory, the famous nebula which clings
around his pendant sword presents to our
northern observers an object similar to the
uebula in question. Every one has heard OF
the strange interest which attaches to this
Orion nebula, OF the mysterious far-reaching
arms which extend from it, the dark, central
vacancy, and the brilliant array OF stars which
the six feet mirror Of Lord Rosse has brought
into view 10 the very heart OF the nebula. But
in the southern skies there is an object OF the
same class even more glorious and more mys-
terious. Iu the richest part of the southern
heavens, a part so rich, indeed, that, according
to the argument OF a well known astronomer,
the splendor of the consultations comprised In
il iumeS the heavens rs new moon would
there lies the great nebua, known among as
tronomers as "the nebula in Argo" The
Orion nebula can be seen on the darkest nights,
but the great Argo nebula shines as brilliantly
AZ third magnitude star, and is scarcely oblit
Grated even by the effulgence of the full moon.
1t is, in fact the most splendid nebula In the
whole heavens. Yet this glorious object, whose
contemplation has led our most thoughtful as
tron9mers to form new ideas OF the grandeur
OF the universe, whose dimensions seemed i'm.
measurable BY any unit OF length mea could
devise, the whole of this magnificent nebula, is
drifting about like cloud before shifting
wind. For the newsiwhich seemed so surprls-
ing to Sir John Herschel has just been con-
firmed by the revelations OF q new telescope OF
enormous power.
OVER THE LEFT.-The origin OF this slang
phrase has been traced by the editor OF quaint
and entertaining book entitled "Gleanlngs
from the Harvest Fields OF Literature, (Dr.
T.. T.. Bombaugh, Of Baltimore,) to the re-
cords of the Hartford county court, In the then
colony OF Connecticut, as follows;
cat county court held at Hartford,
September q, lTO3.
ton against Bevell Waters (both Of HARTFORD
in this court, upon hearing and tryall whereof,
the court gave judgment against the said Wa
ters las in justice they think they ought upon
the declaring the said judgment, tho said Wa
ters did review u the court In March next, that
being granted and entered, the said Waters, ~
he departed from the table no said, God Die IS
yOU oper the iett shOUlier.'
The court order y record t. be made thereof
forth with
"A true copy: Teste
CALEB STANLEY, Clerk
At the next court, Waters was tried for con
tempt, for saying the words recited, $50 ours
ing the court" and on verdict fined s.. lie
asked review OF the court following, which
was granted, and pending trial, the court asked
counsel Of the Rev. Mes,rs Woodbridge ant
Buckingham the ministers OF the llarltnr,
churches. a. to the common acceptation u
the offensive phrase. Their reply constitutes
part Of the record, and il a. follows:
I'VE are of opinion that those words. sal'
ters, include D prophaneness, by using the
name of God, that is holy, with such I'LL word
whereto it was ioyned; % that they carr,
great contempt in them, arising - tho degree
CT sn imprecatiOn or curse. the words of u curse
the most Contemptible that can ordinarily h'
used "f. WOODBRIDGE.
81. BUCKINGHAM.
March 7, 1866"
The former Judgment was affirmed on re