The Hawaiian gazette. [volume] (Honolulu [Oahu, Hawaii]) 1865-1918, 1879-03-19
Coming Events.
A PERIOD OF PEsrILENcE PREDIcrED-NALIGSANT
CONJUNCTION OF PLANETS.

CONJUNCTION OF PLANETS.
1t seems unnecessary to have incurred the ex-
pense and trouble OF a commission to investigate
the causes OF the pestilence that ragged during
the last summer 10 the Southern States, when
astronomers tell Us that the yellow fever was
only premoniton OF the dire calamities 10 be
expected from physical Disturbances shortly to
be initiated. The four great planets of the sys-
TEN. Jupiter, Saturn. Uranus and Neptune,
have mighty influence in the solar economy,
even though they revolve at immense distances
from the centre Of the scheme. When one or
more OF these planets are at their nearest point
to the sun. great disturbances are sure 10 take
place from the increased attraction to the mass
es upon each other. Agitation on the solar sur.
face 10 reflected to the solar systems remotest
bounds and our planet bears witness TO the solar
outbDrst in terrific storms on land and sea long
continued drouth, failure OF crops, and conse-
quent disaster and pestience in myriad forms
Jupiter, being the largest and nearest Of the
giant brotherhood. produces the greatest dis
turbance. So well is this fact established, that
the suns maximum year for spots and general
conmotion is concidant with Jupiter's nearest
approach to his surface. Many observers will
RENE mber the last recurrence Of the period
abOu 1869, when brilliant auroras illuminated
the heavens, rosy protuberances flashed from the
suns atmospere, and huge spots dotted bis disc,
while evidences OF intense excitement were visi-
BILE on the Jovian surface. and terrestrial temp
ests, hurricanes, and all manner Of physical ills
bore evidence to the maignity Of the celestial
conjunction. II takes Jupiter less than twenty
years to complete revolution around the sun.
Saturn little less than thirty years. Uranus
about eighty-four years. and neptune about 100
years.
The year OF maximum sun spots coiucident
with Juptar's perihelion is looked upon as an
epoch when all manner of evils affecting human
ity may be anticipated and this direful period is
near at hand. A much more Unavoidable period
is also near at hunu one OF those eras that
occur at intervals counted by thousands Of years
Is about to take place. The four great planets
reach their perihelia very nearly together. aud
the mighty planetary quartet will pull upon the
sun with one accord. They will be ut their near
est approach 10 the year 1880, or soon after, and
the influence of their unwelcomed union continue
for several years. Such a conjunction OF forces
has not occurred since the Christian era. What
will the sun do, with his blazing surface tossed
into such fiery commotion? What will the
earth do as she responds TO every troubled pull
sation Of the great luminary? There is fearful
prospect ahead, and it may be that the pestience
of last summer was but the shadow of events to
follow in its train. There is nothing tor poor
mortas to do but to take wise precautions and
await results. Seed time and harvest have not
yet failed, and the time for the earth's destruc-
ton will not occur in the present generation.