Question for Bro. Cornell.
By A. S. Hutchins
Are there three months in a year in which there never was, nor ever can be, a total eclipse of the sun? If so, which months are they? I ask the above question, because in speaking of the dark day in 1780, while in N. H., you are reported to have made the statement that there are three months in the year in which there cannot be a total eclipse of the sun. And it is thought that you said, May, June, and July are the months. An opposer laid this up, went home, found an old almanac which spoke of a total eclipse of the sun in June. This of course made business for her and her sympathizers. She wrote you quite a smart letter, addressing you at Boston, which you probably never received. There has been so much said about this matter, that I have thought it might be well for you to speak of the fact through the Review, if you are correct in the statement that the sun cannot be totally eclipsed for three months. We suppose you would not make the statement without good evidence of being correct. And Bro. Bourdeau thinks you made the same statement in Vt. also. Yours truly,
A. S. Hutchins.