The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1900-06-07

money was raised to build the new inStru-
ment and then describe Herschels en-
barkation and the difficulties connected
with the transporting his gigantic ma
chimes to the place selected for the OBJ
serving station. "Sir John accomplished
The ascent to the plains by means of two
relief teams of oxen, of eighteen each,
in about four days, and, aided by several
companies of Dutch Doors (sic). proceeded
at once to the erecting of his gigantic
fabric" The place really selected by
Herschel cannot be described better than
in his own words, contained in a genuine
letter dated Jan. 81. 1885: "A perfect
paradise in rich and magnificent noun
tain scenery, sheltered from all winds
- I must reserve for my next all de-
scription of the gorgeous display of flow
ers which adorn this splendid country as
well as the astonishing brilliaucy of the
consultations" The author of the hoax
could have had no knowledge of Hersch-
els real location, as described in this
letter.
The present writer can bear witness to
the correctness of Herschers words. Field
hansen is truly an ideal secluded spot
for astronomical study. small obelsk
under the sheer cliff of far-famed Table
mountain now marks the site of the great
rejecting telescope. Here Herschel car
ried on his scrutiny of the Southern skies
He observed 1902 double stars and 1,70S
nebulae and clusters. of which only 439
were already known. He studied the IA
nous Magellanic clouds, and made the
first careful drawings of the "key-hole"
neb.ila in the constellation Argo. Very
recent researches of the present royal as
tronomer at the Cape have shown that
changes of import have certainly taken
plare in this nebula since HerschePs time
IIe had seer sudden blazing up of the
wonderful star Eta Argus, situated with
in the nehrla. This object has undergone
more remarkable changes of light than
any other star in the heavens. 1t is as
though there were some vast conhagra-
ton at work, now blazing into mean
descence. and again sinking almost into
.nytsibility. In 1S4S Maclear estimated the
hrilliancy of Eta to be about equal to
that of Sirius. the brightest star in the
whole sFv. Later it diminished in light,
and cannot be seen to-day with the naked
eye. though the latest telescope observa-
tions indicate that il is again beginning
TO brighten.
Inhabitants of the Moon,
Such was Herschel's quiet study of his
beloved science, in glazing contrast to the
supposed discoveries of the Hoax" Here
are a few things alleged to have been
seen on the moon. The first time the in
strument was turned upon our satellite
''the field of view was covered through
unct, and even vivid; representation of
basatic rock" There were forests. too
and water. "fairer shores never angels
coasted on tour of pleasure. A beach
of brilliant white sand, grit with wild
castellated rocks, apparently of green
marble" There was animal life as well;
1--WE beheld continuous herds Of brown
quadrupeds, having all the external char
acteristics of the bison, but more diminu-
tive than any species of the hos genus in
our natural history. There was a kind of
a beaver. that carries its young in its
arms like a human being" and lives In
huts. From the appearance of smoke
in nearly all OF them, there Is no doubt
of its Ohe beaver's) being Acquainted
with the use of fire." Finally, as was, of
course, unavoidable, human creatures
were discovered. Whilst gazing in a
perspective of about half a mile, we were
thrilled with astonishment 10 perceive
four successive focks of large winged
creatures, wholly unlike any kind of
birds, descend with slow, even motion
from the cliffs on-the western side and
alght upon the plain. Certainly
they were like human beings, and their
attitude In walking was both erect and
dignihed."
We have not space 10 give more extend
ed extracts from the Hoax" but we
think the above specimens VIII show how
deceptive the whole thing was The rare
reprint from which We nave extracted our
quotations contains alSo some interesting