The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1878-07-30
THE ECLIPSE.
CONTINUED FROM THIRD PAGE. ]


the FIRST contact would take place. Tho clouds,
however, continued TO cover the sun un'il
The time oil incidence passed AT o:2'
p n. the clouds broke away slightly, promising
glimpse ofthe sun. They, however. tor few minutes
closed up again until $50 y. NJ, when 'hey
broke fairly away, and the Professor, who was look
ing through coorcd glass; said that he could see inc
sun aud could distinguish the segment oil ITS surface
left by the when at the time OF its greatest OBJ
scuration Professor Parkurst took his place then by
the eye piece, remarking as the clouds thickened
that they we're poor things to focus by. Al
b:35 the sun was entirely lost, but the
clouds fell away at $40 sufficiently to
allow ne Professor distinguish parts OF the I'M
covered portion Of the SUMS disk through the small
telescope with the four iDch aperture. which he used
ms the largo would have magnifed too much. As
at AS the clouds had entirely covered the setting
suDLMr Parkhurst, seeing no probability OF getting
the time OF the moons last contact shut up the OBJ
servalory. AS neither the time OF tho first nor last
contact was obtanable results OF any value were
obtained.
HOW NEW WORKERS TRIED TO SEE THE PIE
NoMENoS.
Intnis city extensive preparations oil miscellaneous
character made to the long foreold eclipse.
Everyone was determined TO have good look for
once at orb which is generally too bright for any
but tho eagles eye. The observation had been so
much talked of and to continue so long that no
one any risk OF forgetting 10 look during he ap-
pointed hour and Those who could spare
the timo repaired, tie hour of Eve approached to
some point OF vantage chosen beforehand and armed
with o bit OF smoked glass and determination to
dart experienced eyes to tho Utmost bosom OF
the sup stool patisuty awaiting the critical moment
Porily bankers about to start for home PAUSED on
their Office steps and turned their eyes above the
money making world; merchants stood In the door-
ways OF their busy Stores alternately consulting the
face OF their watches and the face OF the sky;
clerks and messengers hurryipg along the crowded
Streets ceased to knock jostIe one another and
with upturncd faces and blssful forgetfulness OF
business gaz ng all in direction, while shop
girls, escaping from the toilsome factory, caught
monetary glimpse OF the heavens above and stall
wart policemen stood boldly by frightened French
their infant charges Even the stage drivers
forgot for single moment to crane their nccks and
beckon entcingy 10 passing pedestrians, IN tho hope
Of securing another passenger and another faro
Bot alasl all this peering into the heavens failed
to bring the from his place oi c0nccaIment behind
the dark gray clouds Never were more eyes, In this
city least turned the direction OF the god Of day,
and never was The fckie ohariotecr more determined
not to show himsclL For long time the people
sun
From behind the
In dim eclipse disastrous twilight sheds
On bali tho nations, and with lear OF change
Perplexes monarchs.
But their curiosity not gratihed, and the
"cynosurc OF noighborng eyes" was only by tho
eye oil faith. After waiting long and patiently, but
IN vain,
The eyes, fore duteous. now converted arc
From his low track and look another way,
and the tide of business flows on as II 1t had not
known a moments interruption.
Throughout the morning and afternoon small
pieces OF blue glass were Tor sale at many
downtown corners, and enterprslng little boys
and proprietors OF fruit and fancy goods stalls
did thriving business In the coveted
crystals Basketsul TO be seen at oil couspicu-
Gus points, and along Fulton street and other THOR
oughiarss leading TO the principal ferries the voice
OF the vendor filed the air-"nerc 70 are now; plus
glass Only three cents apiece; al ready 10 look st
tn cclpss-thrso cents apiece" Nor was the public
blind to the merits Of smoked or coored glasses and
groups OF men be gathered about a single
piece six inches long ana provided with little open
Ing the eye all striving to look through 1t at tho
same moment and wondering why they couldn't see
the eclipse, even through dense bank OF clouds.
Tho diagram prin ted In Yesterdays HERALD to be
used IN observing the moons transit the iacc
OF tho cut out and pasted on many bit OF
smoked glass strict accor lance with the accom-
panyng directions; but even that failed to mako tho
sun show his diminished head. Like vain woman
he drew an impenerablc veil about his face to hide
little spot from the eyes Of the multitude.
Al Coney island, Rockaway and other seaside re-
sorts the attendance large But fow persons
couried the embraces oil the waves, the water being
extremely chilly. THIS coldness was generally
atiribulsd to tho eclipse and those who were un-
familiar with the workings Of the heavenly bodies
thought Il Safest at all events, to avoid unnecessary
exposure until the eclipse should have passed
II was until half-past six O'Clock that all hopes
OF witnessing tho rare phenomenon were abandoned.
Smoked glasses were broken In 1t OF angry dis.
appointment or provdentIy laid ASIDE Tor q future
occagiun.