Got this from another list and thought you might enjoy it.. This is an editorial from a December, 1855, issue of the Dandridge Herald (Jefferson County, TN) -- but it could've been published a month ago! ============================================================ In little more than one week 1855 will be numbered with the years that have been. It has been a great year for wars, blood shed, Buncombe and fine crops. Judging from what has been we may approach approximately to what will be. The general opinion is that 1856 will be a great year. If the medical Almanacs are true (and who can gainsay their correctness?) the coming year will contain 366 days -- 12 months -- each month from 29 to 31 days. The sun will rise in the east every morning and set in the west every evening without fail. The moon will occasionally shine of a night. Stars will be seen except on cloudy nights. It is also supposed that we will be favored with rain, snow and such like, except at times when there are no clouds to be seen. The days and nights will consist of twenty-four hours. The days during the summer will be longer than the nights, which difference is philosophically explained on the principle that heat expands. The earth will turn around the sun, and also turn upon its axis once every twenty-four hours. All this and more too we learn from the almanac. During the year wars and rumors of wars will make the knees of timid men smite each other and frighten old women and children. Mankind will go on pretty much as they have been since the creation -- cheating, lying, swearing, chewing tobacco, drinking whiskey, and going to the devil generally as fast as they can. [That's most of the reasons why my ancestors were kicked out of the 19th Century Baptist church!] Some will seek to hide their moral deformity under the cloak of religion, but like the ass in the fable, that put on the lion's skin, they will go a little too fast and their ears at length will protrude out and show their reality. People will die -- be buried and some go to the other side of Jordan, and some to a warmer climate. It will be a great year for political bombast and one horse political harangues. Men will run for office, some be elected and some defeated. Swell-heads and fops will be abundant and will sneer upon persons better than themselves, and search diligently after wealthy wives. Fools will be found everywhere, and known from all other men by their vanity. Humbuggery will pass for true greatness. People will subscribe for papers and never pay for them. Editors will write and fill up their columns with long and frothy articles, in lieu of general news and useful instruction. As there is an end to all things earthly -- right here is an end to our prophecy concerning the events to transpire during the coming year, and if they do not all come true, then Jonah swallowed the whale and the lions were cast into Daniel's den.