Western Reserve chronicle. [volume] (Warren, Ohio) 1855-1921, 1872-09-18
THE MOON.
IConHnued.l

IdE HUM
TContiaued.1
Time was, when any phenomena
differing in the least from the most
common exhibition of nature, were
attributed to the special Intervention
of "the Gods" The numerous empi-
rical astroIogers who flourished for so
many centuries among all the old peo-
Piles, were continually importuned to
account for any thing exceptional or
uncommon which might appear in
the heavens. They were highly
esteemed by the Ignorant masses, and
that they might not loose the popular
confidence, they frequently delivered
opinions in ambiguous language
Certain phenomenas were believed to
be invariable; presage, war, famine,
pestilence, or some terrible national
calamity. The appearance of comet,
or an elclipse of the sun and moon,
was contemplated with superstitious
awe. The astrologers referred these
exhibitions to the Divine anger, ON
account of the recreancy of the peo-
pie, and invented some disaster COM
mensuTate with the Nervousness of
their sins. However this belief may
have originated, it is at least reasona-
bic to refer it to those terrible scourges
which afflicted the Egyptians just be-
fore the Exodus. Reports of the ter
rible scenes witnessed by the Nile,
having spread through all the world,
an Ignorant people naturally expect
ed the renewal of these calamities on
the reappearance of their aeeompa-
Dim ents. This absurd faitlfin omens,
por ents, prognOstics, &C., enthraIled
the mind for ages and only the bright
and clear rays of modern discovery
and science could dispel the supersti-
tious gloom which had so long envel-
Oped the human intellect.
With the light and knowledge of
the 18th century Illuminating our
understanding, we may well indulge
a smile at the gullibility of the old
heathens. We may well contem-
plate total eclipse OF he sun with
imperturbable equini nifty. Verify, we
may regard it with joy, as afTording
an opportunity for observation which
may lead to further discoveries. We
may well Danish superstition and
and except science sand
reason as our monitors.
But the question that meets us Just
at this point, is: Do we? Are there
not hundreds of thousands of very
people, all over the coun-
try, who associate more or less super
stitiDn with many of the commonest |
duties OF life? Are there not many
good old farmers-and intelligent too |
who plant their potatoes, cut their
grass, and kill their pigs, not aecor-
ding to their interest and convenience,
but according to the moon? The be-
lief that the moon is, in some myste-
rious way, connected with the growth
Of crops and the fall of rain, is the
of that blind superstition
which so long afflicted the human
race. of course it is but mild form
Of superstition; yet it is sufficient to
show how nearly impossible it is to
belief which has once ta-
ken hold of the mind
We know a young farmer who
spent several terms at 0ne of our col
Ieges and who often asserts, with an
air of the utmost confidence, "that
The moon governs the weather."-
How many persons aIe there every
where, who look at a new moon and
axcla;m: 20 Te'r going to have rain
soon! or weir going to have it clear
before Iong!" According to some
there Will be clear weather
when the horns of the crescent are
turned up, and dry when the crescent
seems to stand on end. Others quite
IS authoritative interpret these phases
As betokening exactly the opposite
kinds of weather. Many have adopted
la old Indian legend, and base their
on its teachings. In
lian hunters looked ct the new moon
md construed it as follows: "If In
lian can hang his bow on new moon,
ne mustn't go on the chase; there
will be storms and rains. If Indian
ant hang bow oh new moon, then
he rain and snow has all run out; In
lian go on chase, he have good luck
md clear weather." If our snow and
ain came out of the moon we would
,e willing to adopt this legend; but
IS they do not, we have many misgiv-
ngs about its reliability.
We desire now, to give a few rea-
ons for our believing that all conjec-
ures drawn from the appearance Of
he moon, are unreliable, and that
II who indulge in them, lay them
elves open to the charge Ofignorance.
1st. 1t is unphilosophic. Rain and
now depend upon the temperature of
he atmosphere, and moisture. How
bsurd then to connect a pleasant
april shower with the appearance of j
satellite 24O,OO miles distantI And
nore, the moons phases depend upon
Ter revolution around the earth, and !
n the inclination Of her orbit to the
'lane of ecliptie. At every eclipse of J
he sun, the moon comes between the /,
un and the earth, and at every new Z
noon there would be an eclipse, were