Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1872-08-10
THE COMING COMET.

As it is pretty generally known comet is
expected by some people On Monday. So
much has been said in regard to the cempo-
less it is, it seems mere folly to repeat it all
again. The astronomers tell us with smile
at our fear that the gaseous matter of which
the comet is composed, could be compressed
so that the teacups, from which we drink,
could easily contain it; that it can no more
iujure the earth than can the vapor which
hangs over the river in the early summers
morning. Again he tells us that the nearest
point to which any comet has ever approach
ed the earth has been computed to be about
twelve millions of miles away from us, fact
exceedingly satisfactory to timid people. 1t
is hardly possible then to apprehend danger
from an object whose gaseous composition is
so immateral that were it to surround us we
could not be conscious of its presence, and
whose proximity is never beyond twelve mil
lions of miles. Up to the 10th of July last
no mention had been made Of the approach
of this comet by German astronomers. The
scientific bulletins from Germany have thus
far been totally silent in regard to its coming.
Moreover, if comet were to be so brilliant
on the evening Of the 18th of August as it is
predicted this will be, it should now be visi-
BILE in the heavens. But not even minute
telescope comet can be discovered by the
well trained eye of the astronomer. 1t must
be remembered, also, that the approach of
comet is very gradual; it can never appear
suddenly; evening after evening it must grow
brighter and brighter until it has reached the
full height of its splendor, when it will as grad
ually wane and disappear. Where can this
marvellous comet he, then, which is TO effect
uaily exterminate US in few days? But the
astronomers add one more strong reason
against its appearance. The comet, which
Plantamom is supposed to have predicted, has
never appeared in our heavens, at least not
within the memory Of man. Now, before a
correct prediction can be made of the future
appearance of a comet it must have appeared
in the heavens once at least in previous years,
in order that the astronomer may have the
data upon which to base his calculations in
regard to its course and the period of its re-
turn. Consequently, any calculation which
has been made in regard to this comet, has
been computed upon no basis whatever, and
we have good reason to distrust the predc-
ton. Where is our comet now? Does there
not appear to be possibility that no such
comet exists, after all p Boston Giole.
Less than four weeks ago the name of Gen.
Banks was signed to an address, from which
we copy the following paragraph eve
congratulate ourselves upon the fact that the
government, during the past three and one
half years, has been administered by one of
our comrades, who has shown wonderful civil
capacity in aiding in the reduction of the
public debt, in conducting our foreign affairs
peace with the whole world, and in preserving
peace in sections of our country where senti-
ments were entertained calculated to disturb
the reorganization of the States lately in re-
bellion.' He now says: 81 am compelled to
believe and to say that the perpetuation of
the present policy of the government is not
t o the advantage of the country, and that it
will not tend to establish its former peace
and prosp rity, nor promote the interests of
any class of its citizens