Virginia free press. (Charlestown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1832-1916, 1869-08-12
The Old Family Journal.
The Great Eclipse.

Not being in the line Of totality, we were
not able to share the magni6cence of the great
scene Of Saturday, but enough was witnessed
70 excite wonder and admiration for the works
Of Creation. and for the surprising accuracy Of
the learned astronomers, as to the time and
character Of the conjunction Of the heavenly
bodies. At this point the eclipse began at
5.O4 At later period our attention was at
trasted by a peculiar shadow that seemed to
fall over all things terrestrial from a cloudless
Skv. A rapid survey Of the sun with the ma
ked eve revealed a considerable diminutiou Of
his raaiesty's usual size and brightness but not
tin tie quick call for a smoked glass was COM
piled with, did we view the phenomenon in all
its completeness. The dark shadow Of the IN
tervening moon seemed 20 our eve 20 cross the
sun obliquely, giving the exposed portion very
much the appearance first Of 4 new moon,
which rapidly increased 10 size till wholly I'M
obscurcd-always maintaining the crescent
form Though not scientifically inclined, we
enjoyed the novel sight, but. were withal some
what relieved when assured by our senses that
id Sol had cast of the sable mask, and was
not going to desert his colors even for the sake
Of the an-powerlul black-and-tan-lovinS RAIDS.
We shall have glowing descriptions from oil
parts Of the country, but can only give a .ew
extracts from points where the observation
was total
RALIECU. y. C-The SKY was clear and
bright, and all the Surroundings were propi-
tious. The scene at the time Of tot3lity was
magnificent beyond description At SOS the
eclipse began, the shadow gradually covering
the disc Of the sun until complete At 444
the sun was bali ob>cured. and at G.O2l the
eclipse was total, and remained so for one nun
drcd and eighteen seconds \ thermometer
which was placed In the sun stood 10 niJety-
three degrees at sos; at 5.44l Il &c. toso~cu-
ty-tbree degrees and at the time Of the .a
eclipse Il fell 90 SiNtv-eight degrees. tlg 8ir
growing rapidly colder while tie whole attn $50
pherc assumed hazy and .cldcn appearar
Immediately succeeding the total ObScDr.-
zion the corona became visible aud Brilliant
CorrusCatious seemed % fash and radiate fror
the circumference Of the moon Cnduiati0
Of soft white light burst ont brilliantly and re-
pcatedlv. until the close. when Venus, Mercu
~ and Mars sholc ont Ia magnificent sp.eudor
4 peculiar gloom spread Ike a pail over Oh
landscape. while changing tjuts Of black
orange. indigo and lcajCU hU"S covered a.
heavens. near the horizon. north and south
The spectacle was magnificent and sublm.
and the crowd about the Cupoa spontaneous
burst out with "PraiSe God from whom al
blessings TOW" Daring tie totaltv tw
blades % crimson iigbt seemed 90 cut the noon
circumference. and curved lines were vi>ibI
across the disc % She moon, resembling Oh
.roinei projections az tae top Of some Goth
cathedral
WILMINGTON. y. C-Duriu- The obscuu
tiou the stars were almost as bright as atnigh'
fowls went % roo,t tAge.-quarter, OF au Iou
,arlier-iian usual. and business WAS almos
suspended in the city so great was thcimpres
sion produced.
SHFIrYvuLE. Ey.-TLe observations mad
here to-day were very satisfactory, and in ma
NY respects gratifying One Of the importau
discoveries made by Prof " Wu'ock at Oh
spcctrosc8Ye was eleven bright lines m Oh
spectrum Of the pr7tuherlu'e> of the sun. ont
five having heretofore been determined. III
alsa observed q shower &C Wctcors between Oh
earth auj moon. Tie party are iub.'aut owe
their sucrc>S. Photographs &C the sun wer
taken 40 different times During the p2rtis
observation. beautiful rrl flames or solar pro
tubcraucys were visible o. The naked eve
Bailcy's beads as wei. SIS dark and di,ma
shadows Of the moon. moving away throug
The air. were MOTEL by party ufamlt'urs sta
toned on the top Of She,byviNe College.
some minutes before the total phase the %
su1l phenomenon az distraction among IN
birds af ihe air AMI cattle occurred. Six min
u;cs before the to-a.ty, del'hlv ashcn hu
ovcr-prc71 the c7urtcuauce~ uf oll present, an
f1- awhile he flirt-heartcl were terrified
The scene during the t1a'itv was awful
When the Sunlight rearpear,d a shout of eN
u.tar.u went mp from the great crowd in th
college Grounds
LOUISVILLE EY-Drriuc the total jmwcg
son the scene was intensely interesting. Th
ssv WIS dark blush tint and surroundiu
object, &C a copper color Stars were p'oinl
seen. among them Venus. Mercury and Jupj
cor