The Caldwell tribune. [volume] (Caldwell, Idaho Territory [Idaho]) 1883-1928, 1884-10-17
How the World Has Been Frightened
by Stars.

HOW the world Has Been fr1gntene(
by Stars.
In 1872 magnificent star of the frs
magnitude suddenly appeared, effacine
by its brilliancy the most beautiful stars
in the sky. 1t remained for eighteen
months and disappeared.
Astrologers said that this appearance
was the same as that to the magi at the
birth of Jesus Christ, and concluded
from it that the last judgment was near.
Thirty-two years later another new star
appeared. From the day of its appear
ance, the 10th of October, 1904, accord
ing to Arago, it was white it surpassed
stars of the first magnitude in bright
ness, also Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn,
which were near it. Many compared it
to Venus. Those who had seen the star
in 1872 found that the new one exceeded
Venus in brightness. 1t did not appear
to become fainter in the second half of
the month of October; ON the 9th of
November the twilight which effaced
Jupiter did not prevent this star from
being visible. On the 18th of Novem-
Der Kepler perceived it for the last time,
but at Turin, when it appeared in the
east, at the end of December and at the
beginning of January, its light was
fainter. On the Goth of March, 1905, it
was smaller in appearance than Saturn,
but it exceeded in brightness the stars
of the third magnitude. On the 21st of
April it seemed equal to the shining star
of the third magnitude. 1t diminished
imperceptibly; ON the 8th of October it
was still seen, but with difficulty on ac-
count OF the twilight In March, 1906,
it had become completely invisible.
These appearances, like all extraordi-
nary phenomena, excited terror and
awakened ideas, not to be stihed, of the
confagration OF the world, the fall of
the stars. and the end of time. One of
the most memorable predictions is that
of 1888, announced in emphatic Latin
verse, of which the following is a trans
lation:
After 800 years, dating from the concep-
ton OF the Virgin, this eghty-eighth year will
be strange and full Of dread it will bring with
it sad destinies. If, in this terrible year. the
perverse world does not fall into dust, if the
earth and seas are not annihilated, all the en-
pires Of the world will be overthrown and af-
Fiction will oppress the human race.
This prediction was later renewed in
favor or disfavor of the seventeenth cent
ury, and the Mercure de France an
nounced the greatest revolution for the |
year 1888. 1t then passed for having |
been found in the tomb of Regiomon-
tanus. Authors did not think how right |
they were to describe this memorable |
epoch under the title of revolution.
But while considering these predic, |
tions, the list of which would be longer
than at first imagined, we cannot help
lot ,xrr{,G
worked in 1924 by the German astrolo-
ger Stofler. According to him, on the
20th of February of that year, the con-
junction OF the planets must produce
deluge. Astrologers gave
faith to it like the common herd the
sinister news soon traversed the world,
md they prepared themselves to see the
universe pass from time into eternity.
70 All the provinces of Gaul, says an au-
,hor of that period, "were in strange
right and doubt of universal inunda-
ion, and such that our fathers had not
'een, or was known by historians or
,thers, by means of which men and
women were in great fear. And many
emoved from their low dwelling-p places
md found higher spots, and made pro-
-ision of meal and other matters, and
lad professions and general and public
'rayers, that it might please God to
ave pity on His people,"
Fear seized ON great many minds.
hose who lived near the sea or rivers
eft their abodes, and sold, at immense
osses, doubtless to unbehevers, their
roperties and goods. At Toulouse,
mother Noah constructed a ship to serve
S an ark to his family and friends, and
also, to few couples of ami
ials. This was not the only case. Ac-
Ording to the account of the historian
'odin, "There were many iniidels who
lade arxs to save themselves, although
Iod's promise and oath, never again to
rown man by deluge, was preached !
} them" Many and many time the
reelection was given out, and it always
'und the same number of believers, al /
lough each time the event gave it t
ositive denial. In 1854 the fear caused
y an announcement of this kind was SO \
reat that the churches were unable to d
'ntain those who sought refuge in C
em. A great number made their wills b
ithout rejecting that it was useless if o
the world was to perish; and others h
we their goods to the priests, in the a
'pe that their prayers would delay tt
is day of judgment. p