The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-08-09

AdE 0OaAAA GCLlPSE.-functU8l to the time
announced in the almanac. tho eclipse Of the
sun took place on Saturday after Tho
weather was fine. and that portion, at least, of
tho heavens in which the performance was to
take place. wss as cl0udless as could be wish
cd. Fer at least half OF AN hour after the
eclipse began, there was no perceptible dimi-
mutton OF the sunlight. So intense is the light
of the sun that 0ne-sixth OF its disc, remaining
uneolipsed, will give out rays enough to read
| or work by With ease. About six O'Clock, how
ever, the observation had become sufficient to
be generally noticed the light being
OF strangely pale and sickly hue.
and OF sbout the power of that usu-
ally seen at early twilight. Multitudes
OF gazers were seen everywhere, at vim
dows. on pia9zas. in the streets and on The bat
terry, most OF them armed with smoked or col
ored glasses. opera glasses or perforated cards.
After six O'Clock the light rapidly recovered it's
power, aid before seven had become as power
fnl as it usually is at that hour. The perform
ance on the whole. though strictly correct, and
according to Miller, was generally voted by
those Who watched it disappointment and q
bore.
Our neighbors in North Carolina enjoyed q
total eclipae, aud that the readers of TIE NEWS
may know what it was like, we copy the follow
ing from the Wilmington Journal of yester
day:
No sight Of moro sublimity or grandeur
could possibly have been imagined Than the
eclipse presented yesterday. Business was for
the time suspended, and every inhabitant
large aud small. gsaed with silent awe upon
this wonderful phenomenon, one Of the grand
est on record. The very breath seemed sas-
pended during the total phase, and the mag
possible to describe. Admiration, awe, won.
der. curiosity and delight were all singularly
blended. and the scene was well calculated to
awaken such feelings.
commenced. Those who watched its prOpress
through smoked glasses could see the BODY of
| the moon gradually shutting out the bright
circle OF the sun, and casting its shadow upon
was half eclipsed. and at 9 few miout ss past
six O'Clock the eclipse was total. Iu the mean
time the earth grew dark. and as the light of
day became obscured by this premature DARK.
| feeling swept over us. The thermometer fell
| four degrees, and the wonderful change was
everywhere apparent. and even the chickens
began TO prepare for sleep. and actually went
but not so great as actual night lighted by the
moon. It seemed premature and unnatural
darkness. and one that could be felt. s'7
| The total eclipse lasted for the space Of
three minutes. The sight was one then tor
the naked eye. The body of the moon fully
obscnIed the sun, and around it's edge was q
crimson circle from which mellow rays shot
forth. Upon the lower edge OF the moon ap-
peareda considerable spot or gap. through
which deadened light was seen. In other
parts OF this planet and within the circle were
to be seen two or three small spots through
which the light penetrated as through veil.
Several stars made their appear ance bright In
the heavens and the armament denoted night.
While the ga ze of all humanity was thus fixed
the sun began to emerge from the eclipse.
The first flash OF his bright and golden ravs
appeared suddenly, and he seemed rapidly 10
| emerge from the shadow. The dazzling effect
was not immediate. but that portion of the
sums surface first see1 appeared like LIQUID
IRE land rays shot forth beautiful and in the
heighth OF splendor. Seen with the naked eve
this liquid fire, as it were. seemed in commo-
ton, aud it was an optical deIus,on with some
| Tor an instant, that the two heavenly, bodies
had come IN contac. and one was consuming the
other. And the sight was graodly sublime
aud the wonders OF the works Of God we're fully
I manifested to our aWe-strlcken gaze
Ihe passage OF the snu from eclipse seemed
quite rapid and soon interest was host. The
earth resumed it's wonted appearance, the air
/ again warmed, the pulse Of nature was renew.
ed. and the cheerful light OF day reappeared.
Scientific men all over the llne OF country m
| which the eclipse was visible have made ex-
the boneht of the world. The sp,searsnos Of
the moon was no doubt accurately photograph.
ca for preservation. In witnessing th;s night
our age ard generation has been extremely
fortunately. , fyl3 PVT ..a q Z -, : :
CRUMBS. The United States Court win meet
| to-jay.