The Valley Virginian. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 1865-1895, 1877-12-13


CELESTIAL PIENoMENA.-Pale luna at
tracted no little ate ntion from many Pc
destrians Oh the streets last night by reason
OF the many coloured and unique circles
with which she had pleased to adorn her
self for the nocturnal edification of her ter
restial patrons. 1t being free show, the
attendance was large, and the enthusiasm
quite spontaneous. Much surplus astronom-
ical learning was disposed of, and great
deal of latent power Of philosophical reflec-
ton was developed by real estate dealers,
grocerymen, fish vendors, hack drivers,
school girls, news boys, and indeed the
whole scientific element OF our population.
The general conclusion arrived at, however,
was to the effect that it meant rough wealth
or, at which the coal dealers took courage.
On last Saturday evening a matinee, for
the benefit Of ladies and children, was given
by he moon, aided by Venus and select
number of lesser stars. This was also free
and literally patronized. Astronomers call
it til e partial occultation of Venus by the
moon. The moon was in full and cresentic
shaped. Venus gradually sailed into the
the horns and crossed the nebulous one hall
of the disk, until it passed On to the silver
surface of the bright portion, and the lustre
of Venus was dimmed by the greater ra.
dience of Luna, and it was said to be occult
Ell. Theatrical stars often do this in the
sublunary world, and so the entertain
ment was deemed rational and natural.
Other people do this in our world too. For
instance (and we desire to get this astro
nOmical matter down so fine that even a
school girl can comprehend it), il one lady.
richly and SLOWLY dressed 1--WE will call hel
the Moon), goes into church, or Il concert, or
any place, and sees another lady dressed in
| last years toy gerry, and looking compare
lively nebnous by even distant comparison
1--WE call this one Venus), she partially oc
cults her. Then she sails across her disk.
or in other words crosses her in front and
sits by her. and then it is called the com.
plete occultation or total observation oil
Venus. Now we are not disposed to charge
for this genius-inspired explanation, but we
do want to post up orr girls in astronoM y
without recourse to intricate text books. and
save them from the risk of nocturnal watch.
ings. in company with male cousins, for the
| occurrence of stellar phenomena. Some
years ago, about three, the Government
sent a nava. vessel, loaded with wlskey
champagne, cigars, and dozen or more
| scientific persons. off to various quarters o1
the globe to watch for the transit of Venus
across the solar disk, and after they had
| spent several months in Il high old time
they returned and graveiy deposited i'll the
various ob.ervatories of the country sunlry
| queer and mystic sheets of paper. witt. OBJ
scure and undecii ,lierabie hierusivphics,
w'iici, were thought to be Astronomical
celebrations OF exceedingly mpo
siig and accurate: character :tI,l from
which results could be definitely Obtained
| Nothing, however, has heeh arrived at an.
we assume that llcy were simply the card
known rs markers in the occult game %
faro, To which scientific. persons and otiler
are VIGOROUSLY addicted. Tie next transit
of Venus will occur in 1882, ani aI the lie
tie girls and boys in town, who abstain iron
swearing. chewing. playing trilant, and othe
vices common to the small boys of large
cities, will be permitted to go with theiI
fathers to reservoir hill aud gaze upon tn,
amazing spectacle to their very hearts con
tent.