The Anderson intelligencer. [volume] (Anderson Court House, S.C.) 1860-1914, 1869-08-19
Artitles.
The Total Eclipses Of 1859 and 1906.

We append brief description of the
total eclipse of the sun on the 7th August,
1869, as it appeared to the editor of the
Wilmington IN. C) Journal:
No sight of more sublimity or grandeur
could possibly have been imagined than
the eclipse presented yesterday. Business
was for the time suspended, and every in
habitant, large and small, gazed with ST.
lent awe upon this wonderful phenomen-
on, one of the grandest on record. The
very breath seemed suspended during the
total phase, and the magnificent sight
was witnessed with feelings impossible to
describe Admiration, awe, wonder, Gu
riosity and delight were all singularly
blended, and the scene was well calcula-
ted to awaken such feelings.
At few minutes past FIVE o'clock the
eclipse commenced. Those who watched
its progress through smoked glasses could
see the body of the moon gradually shut
ting out the bright circle of the sun, and
casting its shadow upon the earth. In
about thirty minutes the sun was half
eclipsed, and at few minutes past SIX
O'Clock the eclipse was total In the
meantime the earth grew dark, and as the
light of day became obscurcd by this pre-
mature darkness, the atmosphere grew
cool and chilly 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 to
roost. The darkness was that of early
night, but not so great as actual night ligh-
ted by the moon. 1t seemed q premature
and unnatural darkness, and one that
could be felt.
The total eclipse lasted for the space of
three minutes. The sight was one then
for the naked eye. The body of the moon
fully obscured tho sun, and around its
edge was a crimson circle from which
mellow rays shot forth. Upon the lower
edge of tae moon appeared considera-
BILE spot or gap, through which deaden-
ed lig ght 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 a
veil. Several stars made their appear.
ancc bright in the heavens and the firma
ment denoted night. While the gaze of
all humanity was thus fixed the sun be-
gan to emerge from the eclipse. The first
flash of his bright and golden lays ap-
pearcd suddenly, and he seemed rapidly
to emerge from the shadow. The daz-
zling effect was not immediate, but that
portion of the suns surface first seen ap-
peared like liquid fire, and rays shot forth
beautiful and in the heighth of splendor.
Seen with the naked eye tins liquid fre,
lis it were; seemed IN commotion, and 1t
was an optical delusion with some for an
instant, that the two heavenly bodies had
come in contact and one was consuming
the other. And the sight was gradually
sublime and the wonders CT the works OF
God were fully manifested to Our awe
stricken gaze :.
The passage of the sun from eclipse
seemed rapid and soon interest was lost
THE earth resumed its wonted appear
ance, the air again warmed, the pulse OF
nature was renewed; and the cheerful
light of day reappeared. Scientific men
oil over the line of country in which the
eclipse was visible have made extensive
observations, ard will publish them for
the benefit of the world. The appear
anee of the moon was TO doubt accurate
ly photographed for preservation. In
witnessing this ght our age and genera
tion has besn extremely fortunate.
THE ECLIPSE OF 1906.
The following interesting extracts are
from paper by J. Fenimore Cooper, de-
scribiug the great eclipse of 1906, to be
published for the first time in Putnam's
Magazine for September. Another total
eclipse of the sun gives additional inter-
est to the article;
When 1 left the Courthouse, sombre
yellowish, unnatural coloring was shed
over the country. A great change had
taken place. The trees Oh the distant
height had lost their verdure and their
airy characters, they were taking the out
lines of dark pictures craven upon an un-
familiar sky. The lake wore lurid as
peet, very unusual. All living creatures
seemed thrown into state of agitation.
The birds were futtering to and fro, in
great excitement; they seemed to mistrust
that this was not the gradual approach of
evening, and were undecided in their
movements. Even the dogs, honest crea-
lures, became uneasy, and drew closer to
their masters. The eager, joyous look OF
interest and curiosity, which earlier in the
morning had appeared in almost every
countenance, was now changed to an eX-
preston of wonder or anxiety or thought
funess, according to the individual char
acter.
Every house now gave up its tenants.
As the light failed more and more with
every passing second, the children came
aucking about their mothers in terror.
The women themselves were looking
about uneasily for their husbands. The