The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1879-09-27


The autumnal equinox took place yester-
day, the 23d OF September, and the earth is
in that delightful condition OF equilibrium
indicated by the crossing OF the celestial
equator and ecliptic. The celestial pole and
the terrestrial one point in the same direc-
tion, and the sun sends his benignant rays
with undertaking impartiality over that por-
ton OF the terrestrial sphere extending from
pole to pole. Equal day and night mark this
delightful period OF the earth's revolu-
ton, while to-day the sun rises to the South
Pole after Its six months night, and sets to
the North Pole after its six months day.
Autumn commences astrohomically the day
when the sun enters the sign Libra, or the
Scales, and continues until the winter SOL
stice. But it is only for point Of time that
the golden scales hang evenly balanced. and
the great circles are intertwined. To-day
a change comes. The southern scale is
more heavily freighted with sunlight, the
sun goes into southern declination, and the
night exceeds tue day in length.
A curious phenomenon is connected with
the crossing OF the equator and ecliptic.
The points Of intersection change every
year, so that each succeeding equinox hap
mems a little earlier than it would otherwise
do, This Is called the Procession of the
Equinoxes, because the equinox seems to
meet the sun earlier. The annual recession
is very smai!-only fifty seconds Of degree,
equal to about twenty minutes in time; but
small as it appears it has amounted to thir-
" degrees since it was first observed, more
than two thousand years ago. Wber-
ever the sun crosses the equinoctial in the
autumn there is the autumnal equinox, and
as this point is constantly retrograding, the
longitude OF the stars is constantly increas-
ing. This anomalous movement Is easily
accounted for. The sun, moon, and planets
exercise strong attraction on the bulging
mass at earth's equator. In consequence Of
this the pole OF the earth is constantly
changing It's position and revolving. around
the pole Of the ecliptic in a small circle,
which it takes about twenty-five thousand
years to complete.
During the passage Of this period the equi-
noctial points will retrograde around the
whole circle. The equilibrium will then be
restored, and new revolution OF similar
kind commenced. The change during an
ordinary lifetime is so small as hardly to be
appreciated, though the study OF this theme
with the phenomena depending upon it is
Of exceeding interest.
There is no more enjoyable physical epoch
than the one called the autumnal equinox.
Even the departing sun and lessening day
light throw glamour over the delightful
season. An indefnable grace and charm
surround ii, which belong to nothing else.
The cool mornings and evenings, the sunny
Moons, the invigorating and braclng atmos-
phere, the ETHEREAL and dreamy beauty lin
gering over the landscape, the breath Of
summer in the golden haze, invite to the en-
| ioyment OF outdoor life, rambleS in the
woods, drives in the country, everything
bright and pleasant in the beauties OF ma
turc. Departing summer has laid her gar
nered treasures at the feet OF her successor.
Autumn sits entbroned with the royal gifts
around her-ripcned fruits, flowers OF gor-
geous hue, grains ready to be harvested,
and all the untold wealth won from the
fruitful soil of mother earth. The days are
passing too quickly; their evanescent glory
is beautiful as dream, and soon will pass
into dream again. .. :..-i