The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1874-07-10
AHi.,ory OF Pr.v,ou. Comets.


naked eye every fair evening in the
heavens, it is not inappropriate to take
@ glance backward and review h.;eay
the history of the most remarkable OF
these phenomena. as it has passed
down to us through the long vista of
ages. The first of the present comets
was discovered at AIarsoilles, France,
on the 17tb of April, Coggia being the
name Of the disooverer. It is now ap.
proaching the earth and sun with q
constantly accelerated velocity, arriv.
ing at perihelion (nearest the sun) and
perigree (neurest the eartb) about the
first of August. 1t will soon be visible
only i'll the early hours of evening, set
ting in tho North-w west. Professor
Swift snys the comet will be brightest
in the evening of August 3. being then
245 times as bright as ut the time of
discovery. A cometary display may
then be expected which may rival the
transit Of Venus in popular as we'll Gs
in scientific interest. It will then be
about five degrees from Denubola, the
brightest star in Leo. But to proceed
to the history of previous remarkable
comets, as we gather it from various
authentic sources. In the primitive
nges, comets were regarded with great
dread. as miraculous appearances. $50
years before Christ, comet made its
appearance, whose magnitude must
have been far beyond anything snbse.
quently seen, ns it's splendor il said to
have surpassed that of the sun. In
the years 248. 324 aad 300 OF the
Christian era, remarkable comets also
appeared. The Emperor Churlrs V
was 30 much affected by the appear
ance of the comet of 1856, that he re-
sigued his imperial throne, believing
the comet to be- q warming from God
that he should do so. In S37, all En-
rope WAS filled with Consideration at
the appearance of the comet of thut
yeur. Special masses were celebrated
IN the churches. and the people were
universally filed with consternntion
and fear. They believed some terrible
visitation Of tue Almighty was inpend-
ing over the earth. Louis 1, King Of
France, acting upon the counsel OF the
Pope, founded many churches and
converts. in order to appeuse the Of.
Tended Deity. In Roman Catholic
countries, tho custom Of ringing the
cathedral bells ut noon originated ut
the time Of Halley's comet in 1456
Pope OAlixtus III. who then wore the
triple crown, under the belief that the
comet was demon come to subyert
his throne, ordered all tho bells in
Christcndom tu be rung-a ceremony
that was believed to be sure specific
against the devices Of the Evil One.
In the year $50, al epidemic ragged
all over the continent of Europe, and
many thousands persisted. This visi-
tation was ascribed to the influence of
comet, which appeared in tho same
year. An extraordinary feature of the
disease was that the patient was seized
with Fl of sneezing, from which lie
frequently died. Always after that
time. when any ono sneezsd inordi-
nate]y, his friends exclaimed, God
bless you'll" That custom has CONT
nued for nearly 1900 years in many
European countries.
1n the year l,0CG, comet is de-
scribcd as presenting frightful aspect,
exhibiting AL enormous curved tail, III
the form Of scythe. The appearance
Of the comet of 1856 spread conster-
nation throughout Europe The same
comet rsturned again in 1881 and iu
1907. In 1852. comet appeared.
which, by it's brillinncy aud swlftness,
excited universal interest.
| Besides the comet Of 1859, Of which
there have been five authenticated re-
turns, there are several others, Of which
something like u return may be traced
at long intervals.
The greut comet Of 1911 remained
visible for upwards of two months. and
was considered Que of the most bril-
liant of modern times.
Biela's comet was discovered Febru-
ary 27, 1926. It's return in 1916 Mt
trncted good deal of attention; what
had hitherto appeared as siDgle body
was actually composed OF two distinct
and separate comets.
Faye's comet Was discovered in 1873,
and made it's second appearance III
le0l, its third in September. 1868.
4 comet was discovered by Douati,
at Florence, June 9, 1858.
Among the comets most remarkable.
either for grent spiendor or enormous
real dimensions, in recent times. must
be mentioned those of 1880, 1907,
1911. 1916. 1919, 1925, 1913, 1917,
1858 and 1861. Among the most re-
markable phenomenu presented by in
| uiyiduul comets we NAV mention the