The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-08-08

An ccup5e OI tne sun, visible OVor 'uo NA
tire territory OF the United States, occurred
yesterday, commencing and progressing to iis
termination in the order and within period
duly announced after astronomical calculation
II was seen-wliere the sky was unobscured
by clouds-on regular line running from
central point in Alaska TO the coast OF North
Carolina, and is reported by observers in New
York and other places with varying success
and in very interesting form. II was total
eclipse Of the great luminary-the second and
last of the present year, and the last one OF
the same class which will be seen during the
remaining term of the nineteenth century. Its
appearance elected no expression Of unusual
wonder, excited no feeling Of superslitious awe.
II was accepted 10 a spirit of educated adfni-
ration as an attestation Of the divinity Of that
Power which holds the planets in their spheres
and 'glasses itself 10 tempests' on the ocean
II was the Slight shining in darkness AZ in the
beginning, and rendered more enlightoning to
humanity as it is to-day by means of cleo
tricity subdued to the use of man, the types,
the printing presses and steam power OF
the great representatives OF the modern news
papers. The saoans viewed tho phenomenon
through their telescopes. while the public
at large, from the aged parent to
the most juvenile members Of our
public school classes watched it through
pieces of smoked glass--an article which
was in universal demand on the streets
and the housetops. The eclipse is conse-
quently chroncled in all its phases, so far as
observed. In our pages this morning, and re-
corded for passage into history in our columns.
Our reports go to show that at Wash
ington, an important point, the observa-
tons Of the eclipse were to great ex-
tent incomplete. Tie scientific preparations
for the purpose we're ample, but rem
dered worthless BY the careerings Of
dark and erratic clouds which kept sailing
along the solar disk, rushed" as it is termed,
over the face of the sun, aud remained there
just long enough to prevent the astronomers
from making their calculations. Indeed, it
may be averred with great truth that Washing
ton is unfortunate in the matter both OF me-
teors and eclipses, just as il her illuminate
are either unwilling to stand forth in the full
light or afraid to fall back into total darkness.
Physiological experiments, which were made
upon q number of chickens on the Observatory
grounds In the Capitol, with the view Of ascer-
tanning If the effect OF the eclipse would induce
a state Of drowsness in the birds, or even
cause them to sleep, as expected,
were equally fruitless-a fact which,
taken in connection with others mentioned by
our reporter, proves that animal life keeps
''wide awake" in that city. It was only par
TALLY visible Ia Philadelphia, heavy clouds
concealng the sun during most of the term,
while at vincennes, Indiana, it was noted
under the most favorable circumstances, the
total observation enduring for the space Of two
minutes and thirty seconds. At Terre Haute,
in the same State, the time Of totAlity was two
minutes and thirty seconds, the appearance
being exceedingly beautiful. Boston was un
fortunate. The eclipse could not be observed
in the Club" owing to the cloudy state Of th'
weather, but the Bostonians having had
Peace Jubilee must not expect to enjoy many
other "great events" before the termination
| of the year. The eclipse was seer
with good effect in Albany, and 10 Augusta
Ga. Satisfactory observations were made il
Wilmington, N. c., the duration of the tota
| phase being one minute and thirty seconds
| The fowls were more obedient to the inauenc,
of the natural law in that city than in Wash
ksrsr, 10 cNrty- EvvA 10
earlier than usual From other central point
we have accounts Of the appearance of tn,
phenomenon, valuable or the reverse accord
ing to the state of the weather, location an,
means Of observation at hand, all of which ar,
published to-day.
Science is thus enabled TO elucidate, as
were, heavenly eternal spark which ha
shone, despite the denials Of the ignorant an,
the attempted veilings of superstition, from
the moment when the continents were rolet
from chaos to the time Of Copernicus, an,
thence to that in which Calico, in his mar
tyrdom, proclaimed that the "world goe
round, and onward to the confirmation Of tn
grand truth, from the simple incident Of tn
fall of an apple, by which Newton wa
enabled to Illustrate tho law of gravi
tation. Scripture history goes to shov
that Joshua, the successor Of Moses
an ardent military commander and exceedingly
anxious to sight it out" on certain '1ine,
had not swung ''round the circle" of sclenc
even when be ''spake to the Lord" and said
"Sun, stand thou still upon Gideon; and thou
moon, 10 the valley Of Ajalon;" nor was hi
chronicler more correct when he said, Sane
the sun stood still, and the moon stayed unit
the people had avenged themselves )" az
sertions in such authoritative contradiction I
the revelations Of science that they ma
be regarded by many as sort Of Biblica
| excnae for the Illumination in after daxa Z