St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1884-07-27
rs TIE NOON INHIBITED.

That it is, has been asserted thousand
and one times, and proved by enthusiasts to
the satisfaction of no one-startling discov-
cries in the moon have often been promul-
gated, which amounted to nothing but to
gull and hoax the people. The venturesome
Mr. Virgins has reeently come out with a
new iejune moon theory, which Richard A.
Proctor, the astronomer says is not worth
notice. There are some who viii remember
the great moon hoax of between forty and
firty years ago, perpetrated by Mr.. Locke, who
was connected at the time with New York
Journal The discoveries in the moon pur-
ported to have been made by Sir William
Herschel at theCape of Good Hope, with per.
fected instruments which were minutely and
scientifically described. The writer showed
great familiarity with astronomical subjects,
and large attainments in astronomical re-
search and observation.
The article was very long, exhaustive and
awe-inspiring. II was divided into two parts
owing to the great strength, and the awe
struck public awaited with bated breath the
appearance of the second part Thousands
and tens of thousands Of papers were
sold giving the account of the startling rev.
Citations, which for the moment gained
wide credence.
Mr. Locke infinitely described many curl
GUS objectson the moons surface, and among
them curiously formed animal, such as
earth does notproduce, and which capered
about with great vivacty. A few days only
- he cta inn
tional hoax. So wide was the temporary be-
lief secured In this moon story, that it was
facetiously styled "Locke's essay on the HUI
man Understanding" having reference to
John Locke's celebrated essay on the
Understanding, a learned and philosophical
writer of the seventeenth century.
Since Locke's new essay on the human
understanding, but few moon stories have
been put forth, challenging credence. But
one is just now going the rounds of the press
which proves that the moon is inhabited,
that its surface is fecked with towns and
villages, the abodes, If not of human life, at
least of Lunar life, that what have hereto
fore been conceived to be oceans are really
wide plains of vegetation. But the man
in the moon" has not yet been infinitely
described.
But we give that second moon-struck essay
on the human understanding, developing
Lunar-lore, for what it is worth, for the en-
tertainment of GLOBE readers.
At the astronomical observatory Of Berlin,
says translation from Nya Pressen Helsing-
for, discovery has lately been made which,
without doubt, will cause the greatest sensa-
ton not only among the adopts in science,
but even among the most learned. Prof.
Bleudmaun, in TINT city, has found beyond
doubt, that our old friend, the moon, is
not mere lantern which kindly furnishes
light for the loving youth and gas companies
of our planet, but the abode of living, intel
ligent beings, for which he is prepared to
furnish proofs most convincing. The ques-
ton has agitated humanity from time i'm
memorial and has been the object of the
greatest interest. But the opinions have al
ways differed very widely. and no two minds
held the same. Already in ancient times
the belief prevailed that the moon was in
habited by some higher organized, intelligent
beings, somewhat resembling man, and in
order 10 communicate with them the early
enthusiast planted rows of trees so as to
form the figure of the Pythegorean theorem.
The celebrated astronomer Schroeder, in
the beginning of the present century fancied
that he could detect place on the surface
of the moon which periodically grew lighter
and darker, and from this fact he derived
the conclusion that the phenomenon was the
proof Of existing vegetation. During the
last few decades, no vever, the ides of life on
the moon has been held up to ridicule, and
totally scorned BY men OF learning. But,
nevertheless, it has now been proved to be
correct BY accident DR.. Blendmann found
that the observations OF the moon gave but
very unsatisfactory results, owing 10 the in
teasity of the light power of the moons at
mosphere, which is so strong that it affects
the correctness Of the observations in high
degree. He then conceived the idea to make
the object-glass of the refractor less sensitive
- the RAYS of light and for that purpose he
darkenedit with the smoke of camphoT. 1t
teok months of experimenting before be
succeeded in finding his right degree of Oh
security OF the glass, aud when finally found,
he then with the refractor took q very aecur-
ate photo of the moons surface
This he placed in q sun microscope, which
gave the picture diameter of 555S feet
The revelation was most startling. 1t per
iectly overturned all hitherto entertained
Ideas of the moons surface Those level
plains which formerly were heldto be oceans
| OF water proved TO be verslant fields, and
what formerly were considered mountains
turned out as deserts of sand and oceans Of
water. Towns and Installations Of all kinds
were plainly discernabls, as well as signs of
| industry and traffic The learned professors
| study and observations Of old Luna viii be