The West Virginian. [volume] (Fairmont, W. Va.) 1914-1974, 1916-07-14
Evening Chat.

ar3eclipse Of the present year, the first
having been on the Goth Of January.
At that time only IA per cent, OF the
moons disc was obscured, but in the
coming eclipse about four-ftths Of II
will pass through the earth's shadow.
This eclipse will be visible throughout
the United States, and except along
the Pacific Coast 1t may be observed
during Its entire duration OF about
three hours. In San Francisco and
other cities Of the extreme west the
eclipse will have begun short time
before the moon rises but will not emo
until about 10 o'clock. The scheduled
time for the beginning OF the eclipse
in Fairmont is 10 hours, 10 minutes p.
m, and 1t will continue until hour
AZ minutes on the morning Of July
18th.
Writing Of eclipses in tho Presby.
terian Banner for July s Alice Z. Da-
yisfsays:
can. eclipse of the moon is one OF
the most striking astronomical phe.
nomena noted by the majority OF peo-
pie. 1t Is in reality no more wonderful
than the successive phases through
which the moon passes so regularly
every twenty.nine and one.half days,
but owing to this very regularity we
fail Ito pay any special attention to the
occurrence. But no matter how fire.
quently we have seen an eclipse or
how thoroughly VIC understand its
cause, there Is always something un-
canny about tho dark shadow which
Slowly but steadily creeps over the full
moon. II the eclipse Is total. or nearly
SO, the surface OF the moon takes on
an om!nous red hue which seems to
permeate our atmosphere. 1t Is with
feeling Of relief that we see the
shadow begin to grow smaller and fin
ally disappear, and we welcome again
the clear. bright lift OF our nearest
celestial nelghbor.
at Is not surprising to find that
these unusual and portentous events
are among the earliest astronomical
observations recorded by ancient ra.
ces. In the temples of Egypt and
among the ruins In the region of the
Euphrates river has been found def
Unite records OF eclipses made from
5000 to {, 900 years ago. and also omen
tablets which refer to eclipses pre-.
vious to this. In China and India the
= records go back over 5000 years. Tho
fChaldeans went so far as TO discover
that eclipses repeat themselves in the
same order and at the same intervals
In period of 223 lunations, or IS
years and 10 days. This period is
called tho Saros. 1t was not until the
fifth century D. c., however. that the
real cause OF an eclipse was first ex.
planned by Anaxagoras, q Greek, who
claimed that all astronomical phenom'
ena were due to the working OF natural
laws. But Anaxagoras was ahead OF
his times, and for his impiety in at.
tempting TO rob the celestial bodies OF
their divinity, he and his family were
doomed to perpetual Punishment, and
his theories, though preserved, were
not given any credence.
"Ancient records tho world over
have disclosed the fact that an eclipse
has been the occasion OF superstitious
alarm, and this has continued down
through the years among the uncivil
lied and the unlearned. The H!ndus
to the present time believe that 81
ant lays hold Of the moon and tries &c
swallow It. On the occurrence OF an
eclipse great numbers OF them make
8pilgrimages to Benares, the ancient
seat OF learning and religion. and
Throughout the country hideous noises
are made in an effort to drive away
the monster. Among the Chinese 1t has
been one Of the duties Of mandarins
to Save the sun and the moon when
eclipsed," for the idea prevails that
the luminary Is being deyoured by 9
greedy enemy. At the commencement
of an eclipse the mandarins, dresaed IT
their official robes, appear before the
people and carry out prescribed
ceremony. Gongs and drums are beat
zen at the temples. and the people BY
shouting, beating on various instru
ments and waving lighted torches, con
tribute their aid TO the rescue of tbs
moon. And they are always success
full.
THE Greeks thought an eclipse wa.
sent by the gods as sign OF somt
grieyous calamity. Thucydides re
counts as follows the delayed depart
ure Of the expedition against the Syr
acusans: 1.-THE preparations wer,
made and they were on the point o
sailing when the moon, being jus
1 then at the full, was eclipsed. Tn,
\ mass Of the army was greatly movet
and called upon the generals to re
main. Nicias himself. who was tot
much under the influence Of dirinstior
and Of omens, refused even to discuss
the question Of their removal unit
they had remained thrice nine days
as the soothsayers prescribed"
About the Romans, we read tina
"at any eclipse Of the moon they woult
take their brazen pots and pans ant
beat, them, lifting UP many torche!
lighted, and frebrands into the air
thinking by these superstitious means
to reclaim the moon to her light
Scandinavian mythology, preserved Il
us in the Edda. relates that Manager
mar Is tho monster who sometimes
Swallows up the moon and stains tn,
heaven and air with blood" And 81
examples might be added indefinitely
showing that almost without excep
ton among the peoples Of Europe
Asia, aud the Islands Of the Pacific
there existed the general idea Of the