Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1917-07-03
VOLTS COMET VISIBLE AGAIN

BY FREDERIC J. HI

WASHINGTON, July ITO tho
NAKED eye, the heavens at night seem
10 De going their orderly way as usual.
out II you have good telescope you
can see disturber OF tho celestial
peace known as VOLTS comet breaking
tho speed laws OF the skies. or course.
IN tho eyes OF the astrolosers this
comet accounts, for n good deal. Comets
always indicate war and disaster.
Wohs comet became visible about the
TIME we broke of diplomatic relations
with Germany. Strankely enough. it's
iast appearance was In 1893. when we
oeciareo war on Spain, In order to cs-
tabiish world peace. apparently we will
nave to do moro than enforce disarma-
ment. We shall have to round UP and
lncarcerate all these war-producinR
comets as we'll.
omens of evil. prophets OF war and
oioodshed since history began, comets
nave been held to flash a warning from
the orended gods. In 1851. a great
comet which appeared was held in the
North as prophet OF failure for the
south. Below Mason and Dixon, how
ever It was hailed as a warning to
the North. Even comets work both
ways.
Some comets are visible but once from
the earth, and then pasE forever into
space. Others appear and reappear
periodically century after century
MOST reared and dreaded Of these
periodic visitors is Halley's comet This
schedule. and 1t has been blamed for
more mischief than the Kaiser or tho
devil himself. The death of the ma
triarch Methuselah at the early age
or 9o4 years was attributed to its bale
ful influence. The Hood and the attend
ing disaster brought upon Noah and
his nefEhbors was coincident with one
OF it's early trips.
In 1910 Halley's comet showed up
again. and stimulated the prophets Of
oiSaster Woe unto France" prophc-
sled Madam de Thebes, but her grief
VIII be soothed. Woe unto the house
or Hohcnzollern whose chief mounts
ms horse from tho wrong sidew
Kaiser William II. is paralyzed In his
left arm and hence is forced TO mount
from the right
All OF the disasters OF that year and
the next were laid at the comets door
the great food in Ohio and the sink
ing OF the Titanic. Its influence will
be felt until It's next coming" was a
common prophecy.
But the sensation caused by Halley's
comet in 1910 was mild beside the one
II stirred upon the trip before in 1895.
thousands OF people at this time rushed
to join the Millerites and prepare for
the end Of the world. Crops were neg
the fields while the farmers wept and
prayed in the churches.
Time Was Actually Set.
a time was set when tho sun Of tho
Judgment Day would surely dawn The
day came and tho hills were covered
with white clad thousands singing.
praying and waving palms waiting for
Gaoriefs trump. Nightfall came and
the next day dawned on the waiting
multitude and world still cheerfully
intact. But all the troubles OF that
year were blamed on the comet.
This same comet watched the frst
settlers u and at Jamestown, and their
struggles in the wilderness. Elizabeth
OF England watched It from her win
dow, scornins her courtiers' fear, and
her action at the time was one of the
reasons she gained a reputation as a
strong minded woman.
The fall OF Constantinople before the
Turks in 1886 was blamed on the long