Marshall County Republican. (Plymouth, Ind.) 1856-1878, 1869-08-05

2 m. p. m, and ends at b. 80. m. pm.
In speaking of the eclipse, the Universe
says: "This phenomenais nothing in it
self to create any surprise, wonder or APPS
prehension il is only an enlargement OF
that which we witness every day No
Opaque body can exist in the rays of the
sun, without casting a shadow: and this
shadow of the moon is something that oc>
ours daily, and has occurred every day
since she came into existence. The only
thing peculiar about it, is, that at the par
ticular time named, the earth, moon and
sun will all be in straight line; hence we
shall fall within the moons shadow.
Those who live within the limits where
in this elipse will be total, may prepare
for grand and impressive sight. For the
space OF q few minutes, the light of the
sun is completely shut out, and the stars
come forth and take their accustomed
places In the sky, as IL to watch the effect
ofthis unusual dear;h oflight.upon the sons
of men. The lower animals are evidently
impressed with the conviction that it is
night, and deport themselves accordingly,
1.-The hens, it is said, retiring demurely
to their respective roos:s, there TO await
the somewhat speedy temperance of old
Ph9bus. All nature seems TO be taking a
sudden rest and one might for moment
imagine that eternal night had charged
the light of day in his strong holds, AMI
come off conqucror forever!
In ancient times, solar eclipses are said
to have produced great CONSERVATION and
terror among men. The results of battles
have been influenced by them; and cum
ming priests and oraclcs, within the time
when science could announce their coming
have profited by their prescience, in the
minds of deluded followers. There is a
story told about an Indian prophet of one
of the numerous tribes which once inhab-
tied our country, whose reputation, by re-
peated false predictions, had run exceed
ingly low. Wishing to retrieve his good
huiic anu ictalu his hoCCuucuSl Ofcf tue
minds of his fellow savages, and having
secretly learned Of some navigators the
time of an expected total eclipse, he an
nounced to the people that at certain
hour ola certain day, and evil spirit would
attempt to deyour the sun. At the pre-
dicted time, he assembled llis whole CO M
pany of dusky followers upon a hill, TO
witness the grand attempt, and efficacy OF
his prayers to the Great Spirit to prevent
il.
The time appointed drew near; the
women and children held thoar breath, and
the men grasped their tomahawks with
firm hand, resolved that IL the hungry
monster was not on time. this should be
the last false prophecy that should ever
issue from the lips of that soothsayer.
The oracle was probably not altogether In
state of indifference; for he had good
reasons for believing that failure now
would finish his repuiati on, ard probably
finish him.
But 10 Just as the watchers were be.
coming impatient, q darkness appeared
upon one edge Of the sun. Slowly the
demon opened his capacions jaws, and
cbscured the orb Of day in thcir capacio US
recesses. 1t is said the excited imagins-
lions OF some of these men of the forest,
c aused them really to see this hideous sun :
eater, in all its deformity. When the
meal was done, and comparative darkness
rcigned, the fright of the spectators was
earful, and the air was filed with their
cries.
The Prophet, who was probably the
bcst-sa;isficd man present, now command
ed silence, and in clear and confident
tones, he implored the Great Spirit to
Compel the drag on to disgorge. His prayer
was answered, and The sun soon shone
forth again, in all his glory. The savages
were of cours greatly impressed by this
miracle aud thankf nj for the restora-
ton of their sun; and from that day until
his death the wcrd Of that oracle was
law -
We cannot, however, blame the iguo-
rant Indians for their fright and supersii-
tion, when we imagine what would be the
effect which the scenes to be witnessed
upon the 9TH of August, 1869, would pro-
duce upon the minds of US "civilized
Americans even, were 1t not for the iliu
mination which the lights of Science will
cast upon them. Such events, coming
per fectly unannounced, and taking men
entirely unprepared for them, would no
donbt prodace great CONSERVATION. and
perhaps even death from fright, with
some eak-nerved persons. Indeed, we
are told that many persons, during the
eclipse OF 1906, were convinced that the
Judgment Day, of which they bad been
told go often, had surely arrived.
So we come, at last, 10 strike the only
thing concerning this eclipse that is won.