Bristol news. [volume] (Bristol, Va. & Tenn.) 1867-189?, 1879-10-21
All Ab0u, the Autumnal Equ,
nOX.
From the Providence journal.

From the Providence Journal
The autumnal equinox took ulnce
yesterday, the 23d OF September and
the earth IL in that delightful condi-
ton Of equilibrium indicated 10y the
crossing of the celestial equator and
ecliptlc. The celestial pole ard the
terrestrial one point In the same di-
rection, and the sun sends lis benlg-
nant rays with undertaking impair
tiality over that portion Of the terres-
tial sphere extending from pole to
pole. Equal day and night mark this
delightful period of the earth's revo
luton, while to day the sun rises to
the South Poleafter its six months
ueq& Svp on SUOolm!uonse seou9uI
-moo umnlnv 'GVp .squom xIs 81 L5l
~ 9lod u1ioN eQl OF Sos puu lq5!u
the sun enters the sign Libra, or the
Scales, and continues until the winter
solstice. But 1t Is only for point Of
time that the golden scales hang even
ly balanced, and the great circles are
intertwine d. To-day change comes.
The southern scale Is more heavily
freighted with sunlight, the sun goes
into southern declination, aud the
night exceeds the day in length.
A curious phenomenon IL connected
with the crossing Of the equator and
eclptic. The points of intersection
change every year, so that each sue
ceedlng exuinox happens little err
Tier than II would otherwise do. This
Is called the Procession of the Equi-
noxes, because the eq uinox seems to
meet the sun earlier. The annual re-
cession Is very small-only fifty Sec
onds OF n degree, equal to about TWEEN
ty minutes in time; but small as II np
pears II has amounted to thirty de.
drees since II was first observed, more
than two thousand years ago. Wher-
ever the sun crossea the eqlinoctial In
the autumn there In the autumnal
equinox, ani as this point II constant.
~ rotrograding, the longitude Of the
stars Is constantly increasing, This
anomalous movement Ia easily ac.
counted for, The sun, moon, and
planets exercise strong attraction
on the bullying mass Oh earth's equa.
tor. In consequence ofthis the pole
Of the earth Is constantly changing
its position and revolving around the
polo Of the ccllptic In small circle,
which II takes about twenty-five
thousand years TO complete.
Dnrlng the passage of this period
the equlnoollal points will retrograde
around the whole circle. The equillb
iium will then be restored. aud a new
revolution Of similar kind commence
ed. The change during an ordinary
lifetime Ia no small as hardly 10 be ap.
preciatod, though the etudy Of this
theme with the phooomena depend
Ing upon II IL Of exceeding interest.
There IL no moro enjoyable physical
epoch than the one called the autumn
nal equinox. Even the departing sun
and ltseenlng daylight throw n glnm.
our over the delightful season. An IN.
de0nablo grace and charm surround
II, which belong TO nothing else. The
cool mornings and evenings, the sun.
ny Moons, the invlgoratlng and brac-
Ing atmosphere, the ETHEREAL and
dreamy beauty lingering over the
landscape, tho breath Of Summer In
the golden haze, invite TO the enjoy.
mont Of outdoor life, rnmbles In the
woods, drives In the country, every.
thing bright and pleasant IN the beau.
ties of nature. Departing summer has
laid her garnerod treasures Vt the feet
OF her SUCCESSOR Autumn sits en-.
throned with the royal gifts around
her-rlponed fruits, flowers OF gor-
geoue hue, grains ready 10 DO harvest.
cd, and all the untold wealth won
from the fruitful Holl Of mother earth
The days aro passing too quickly
their cvanescent glory Ia beautiful M
n dream, and soon will pass into
dream again,