such a catastrophe so preyed upon the minds of the populace that it is reported in the "Tshu-King," one of the oldest chronicles in existence, that the ancient astronomers Ho and Hi had their heads laid before their feet for failing to predict an eclipse of the sun. Plenty of time to get out drums and kettles and to make the deafening noise which had always caused the monster to drop the sun was always given after this little incident. Douglas, in "History of China," relates that at this time, the intervention of every official in the country is called upon to save the sun from being destroyed.
"Some months before the expected eclipse the board of astronomers notifies the exact date of its appearance to the officials of the board of rites, who in their turn announce its appearance to the viceroys and governors of the provinces. They transmit the message to all their subordinates, so that, when the time arrives, an army of mandarins stand prepared to avert disaster. Their procedure is simple and as neither the sun nor the moon have ever been devoured, it is regarded as efficacious. At the appointed time the mandarins assemble at the yamen of the senior official, and arrange themselves before an altar set up in the courtyard, on which incense is burning. At a given signal, they fall down on their knees and perform Ko-t-ow, after which the attendants beat drums and gongs to frighten away the oppressive monster, while the priests move in a procession round the altar chanting prayers and formulas. To assist the mandarins in their patriotic efforts, the people mount to the roofs of their houses, and add to the din which issues from the yamen by beating everything capable of emitting resounding noises."
The Grecians, however, ascribing all things to the gods, thought that the phenomenon was due to Jupiter, who, sometimes wishing to keep his business on earth secret from the other immortals on Mount Olympus, kept them from seeing him by hanging a little covering over the sun.
O'er the sun's disk and veils its glittering light,
Fear falls on man. Hence miracles, before
Incredible, are counted miracles no more."
—Archilochus. (Trans. by Sir Chas. Abraham Elton.)
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