The Ely miner. [volume] (Ely, Minn.) 1895-1986, 1935-08-22

SICDCE with il had made the most ex-
"PN t5nOrdinary discoveries in every
planet of our solar system; had dis
covered planets in other solar sys-
tens; had obtained a distinct view of objects in
the moon, fully equal 10 that which the unaided
eye commands of terrestrial objects at the dis
lance Of 100 yards; had afirmatively settled the
question whether this satellite be inhabited and
by what order Of beings; had firmly established
a new theory Of cometary phenomena; and had
solved or corrected nearly every leading problem
OF mathematical astronomy"
Now, Of course, TO the average man it didn't
make much difference whether or not there had
been established "a new theory of cometary
phenomena" or if nearly every leading problem
Of mathematical astronomy had been solved or
corrected" But If this astronomer had proved
that the moon was inhabited, that was some
thing else again For ages, mankind had specu-
lated upon the possibility of there being life on
the moon and other planets, and, if there was,
had wondered what sort of vegetable and animal
life they bore. But thus far mans skill had not
been sufficient 10 devise a telescope powerful
enough TO unlock the mysteries of the distant
spheres. If this Englishman had done it ar last,
il was news of worldwide interest.
II was an American newspaper, the New York
Sun, which made this astounding revelation The
Sun had been founded by Benjamin 81. Day in
1888 as the first of the penny newspapers in the
United States. In the two years of its existence
il had scored a sensational success attaining a
circulation from twice to three times as great
that of any Of the other New York dailies
all Of which sold for six cents copy.
On August q. 1885, the second page of the
Sun carried this small news item: Celestial
DISCOVERIES-Th Edinburgh Courant says
We have just learnt from an eminent publisher
in this city that Sir John Herschel at the Cape
OF Good Hope has made some astronomical dis
cOveries Of the most wonderful description by
means Of an immense telescope of an entirely
new principle" II was true that Sir John
Frederick William Herschel, the greatest astron-
emer of his time, had gone to South Africa in
January, 1884, and established an observatory
near Cape Town 10 complete the first telescope
survey ever attempted of the whole surface of
the visible heavens So that much of the story
was true
On August 25 three columns of the first page
of the Sun were devoted TO an article which ap-
peared under a modest headline Of GREAT
ASTRONOMICAL DISCOVERIES-Late Made
by Sir John Herschel, LID. FRS. &c-At the
Cape of Good Hope" This article was credited
TO the supplement TO the Edinburgh Journal
of Science II was true that there had once
been Edinburgh Journal of Science but the
readers of the Sun did not know that it had
suspended publication several years previously.
scientific accuracy, they were quite prepared TO
accept without question the marvels that were
10 be spread before their eyes in the columns Of
the Sun.
This first article was devoted almost entirely
10 discussion Of the importance of Sir Johns
discoveries. He had paused several hours be-
fore he commenced his observations that he
might prepare his own mind for discoveries
which he knew would fill the minds of myriads
EDT1,-
might he pause! From the hour the first human
pair opened their eyes TO the glories of the blue
armament above them, there has been no ac-
cession 10 human knowledge ar all comparable
in sublime interest TO that which he has been
the honored agent in supplying. Well might he
pause, He was about 10 become the sole de-
pository of wondrous secrets which had been
hid from the eyes of all men that had lived since
the birth of time"
All Of which excellent "build-up' to
whet the interest of the Suns readers in what
was 10 follow. But ii did not give any definite
information about the astronomers discoveries
so there was nothing for its readers 10 get ex-
cited about yet But on August 20 the Sun print
ed four columns Of vivid description of what
was TO be seen on the moon. The astronomers
reported:
In the shade of the woods on the southeast
ern side we beheld continuous herds of brown
quadrupeds having all the external Characters
tics of the bison but more diminutive than any
species of the Dos genus in our natural history
Its tail was ike that of our Dos gruniens: but
in its semi-crcular horns the hump on its shoul-
ders. the depth of its dewlap and the length Of
its shaggy hair, il closely resembled the species
10 which we have compared ii.
1T had however. one widely distinctive fea-
ture which we afterward' found common TO
nearly every lunar quadruped we have Ciscoy-
cred; namely, remarkable feshy appendage
over the eyes. crossing the whole breadth of the
forehead and united 10 the ears We could most
distinctly perceive this hairy veil, which was
shaped like the upper front outline of the cap
known TO the ladies Mary Queen of Scots
cap, lifted and lowered by means of the ears Il
Immediately occurred 70 the acute mind of Dr.
HerscheI that this providential eontrivance
TO protect the eyes Cd the animal from the great
extremes of light and darkness TO which all the
inhabitants of our side of the moon are peri
odically subjected"
On that day the moon story in the Sun became