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

| sun took place on Saturday afternoon. The
| weathe. was fine, and that portion, at least, OF
the heavens In which the performance was to
| cd. Far 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 one-sixth OF its disc, remaining
uneclipsel, will give out rays enough to read
or work BY With ease. About six O'Clock, how
ever, the obscuration had become sufficient to
be generally noticed. the light being
of q strangely pale and sickly hue,
and Of about the power Of that usu-
ally seen at early twilight. Mulhtudes
OF gazers were seen everywhere, at Tin-
dows, on piazzss, 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 its
power, a.d before seven had become as power
fol as it usually is at that hour. The perform
anoe on the whole. though strictly correct, and
according to Miller, was generally voted by
those who watched it. disappointment and
bore.
total eclipse, and that the readers Of The NEWS
may know what it was like, We copy the follow
ing from the Wilmington Journal Of yester-
day:
No sight Of more subGmity or grandeur
could possibly have been imagined Ihan the
eclipse presented yesterday. Business was for
the time suspended, and every inhabitaDt,
large aud small. gazed with silent awe upon
this wonderful phenomenon, one OF the grand
est on record. The very breath seemed sus-
pended during the total phase, and the mag
nlfcent sight was witnessed with feelings inn
possible to describe. Admiration, awe, won.
der. curiosity and delight were all singularly
blended, and the scene was well calculated 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 shutting out the bright
circle Of the sun, and casting its shadow upon
the earth. In about thirty minutes the sun
was half ecllpsed, and at few minut % past
ak o'clock the eclipse was total Ip the mean
time the earth grew dark, and as the light OF
day became obscured by this premature dark.
ness, the atmosphere grew cool and chilly
feeling swept over rs. 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 roest. The darkness was that OF early night,
but not 80 great as actual night lighted by the
moon. 1t seemed o premature and unnatural
darkness, and one that could be felt. I.
The total eclipse lsstel for the space Of
three minutes. The sight was one then tor
the naked eye. The body OF the moon fully
obscured the sun, and around it's edge was
crimson circle from which mellow rays shot
forth. Upon the sower 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 q veil.
Several stars made their appearance bright in
the heavens aud the armament denoted night.
While the ga ze of all humanity was thus fixed
Tie first flash OF his bright and golden rays
appeared suddenly, and he seemed rapidly to
emerge from the shadow. The dazzling effect
vas not immediate, but that portion of the
suns surface first seel appeared like liquid
fire, and rays shot forth beautiful and in the
heighth OF splendor. Seen with the naked eye
this liquid fire, as 1t were. seemed in commo-
ton, aud it was an optical delusion with some
for an instant, that the two heavenly bodies
had come IN contact and one was consumip the
other. And the sight was grandly ST ohIne
aud the wonders of the works Of God were i.ily
manifested to our awe-strlcken gaze.
The passage of the sun from eclipse seemed
quite rapid and soon interest was lost. The
earth resumed its wonted appearance, the air
again warmed, the pulse of nature was renew
ed, and the cheerful light OF day reappeared.
Scientific mep all over the line Of country IN
which the eclipse was visible have made ex-
tensive observations, and will publish them for
the bsnefit OF the world. The appearance OF
the moon was no doub. accurately photograph
ed for preservation. Iu witnessing tbs sight
our aeazeRd generation has been extremely
fortunately.