Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-05-29
REFERENCES HOLY WRIT.
PROPHETS Steak OF ECLTPSES I n
OLD TESLA NJ F,NT--A VIVID DE-
SCRIPTION

1.-THE sun shall be darkened in his
going forth, and the moon shall not
cause her light to shine" Isaiah xiii.1O.
Il will cause the sun to go down at
noon. and l will darken the earth in
the clear day."-Amos viii Q.
The above arc two of the several sup
posed references to cclipscs to be found
In the holy scriptures. Some writer's
have held that these writings are mere
~ curative, but probably the majority
OF writer's agree that the prophets were
speaking directly of eclipses OF the sun
in at least some OF their references of
which the above is n sample.
Exactly 2.4S5 years ago. May Is, $50
Il. G., there occurred n total eclipse of
The sun which put an end to a war
then raging. The Lydians and Modes
had been fighting for over live years.
and one day when battle was growing
warm. day was suddenly turned into
night and an historian says: when
the Lydians and Modes observed the
change they ceased lighting and were
alike anxious to conclude peace"
a VIVID DESCRIPTION.
~ vivid description OF an eclipse of
the sun, which viii be oppre cjated at
once by those who Witnessed yester-
days phenomenon, was written by Mrs.
u. l.. Todd, wife OF Prof. Todd, the as
tronomer. After describing the appear
ance OF the earth and heavens Mrs.
Todd says:
"A vast, palpable presence seems
overwhelming the world. The blue sky
changes to gray or duh purple, speed
lily becoming more dusky, and Il death
like trance seizes upon everything
earthly. An assembled crowd
is awed into absolute silence almost in
variably. Trivial chatter and senseess
joking cease Often the very air seems
to hold it's breath with sympathy.
Then out upon the darkness,
grewsome, but sublime. flashes the
glory of the Incompatible corona with
radiant streamers, stretching ut times
millions OF uncomprehendcd miles into
space, while the rosy flaming, pro-
tuberances skirt the black rim of the
moon in ethereal splendor.
Suddenly, instantaneous as a lightning
flash,an arrow of actual sunlight strikes
the landscape, ana earth comes to life
again, while corona and protubcrances
melt into the returning briliance. and
occasionally the reoeding lunar ehadow
is glimpsed ms II flies away with the ire
mendous speed of it's approach"
ECLIPSE DATA.
In an article in Appleton's popular
u.
BiSelow. specialist of the Weather
Bureau, says that out of seventy
eclipses of the sun which have occur
red somewhere in the world within the
nineteenth century. there have been
only eight total eclipses of more or less
duration visible on the North Amcri-
can continent. The others happened in
places often remote from civilization.
and sometimes in entirely Inaccessible
location. as over the ocean areas.
Norioll's good luck in being situated
in the line Of total observation of yes
terday's eclipse may be fully apprcci-
ated after considering the above.
Speaking on the mooted question of
what the corona is composed Of Profes-
sor BiSelow says:
There are many existing theories to
account for the phenomenon of the
suns bright appendage called the
corona, which Is visible only durin.. the
eclipses. on account OF the absorbing
effects Of the earths atmosphere on It's
light. Is it electrical. or is il magnetic?
is ii composed of fine stuff elected from
the sun. or of mcteoric dust falling up
on the sun? Is 1t merely an optical ef-