The ancient
astronomers
formed a number of imaginary figures in
the sky, and then placed the fixed stars in groups according to this
arrangement; twelve of the principal they called the Zodiac,* which
as a zone encircled the heavens; in addition to the Zodiac they had
seventy-nine other constellations, making in the whole ninety-one;
these you will find arranged in the table below, so that at a glance
the whole idea may be before you.
the sky, and then placed the fixed stars in groups according to this
arrangement; twelve of the principal they called the Zodiac,* which
as a zone encircled the heavens; in addition to the Zodiac they had
seventy-nine other constellations, making in the whole ninety-one;
these you will find arranged in the table below, so that at a glance
the whole idea may be before you.
Childrens - The Creation
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handle.
net/2027/hvd.
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hathitrust.
org/access_use#pd-google
122
THE CREATION.
soon up, and the whole body of the ocean becomes the sailor's
friend, to carry him to the port--or the haven where he would be.
(Ps. cvii. 30. ) But not only does the sailor benefit by the moon in
this particular, but many of his most valuable calculations are derived
from the same source, especially the lunar observations. Astronomers
have divided the circle of the earth into 360 parts, or degrees; and, as
once in twenty-four hours the globe performs its daily journey, 360
divided by twenty-four will give the number of degrees that occupy
one hour of that journey, i. e. 15. In the time of Charles II. , that
there might be one general principle of calculation through the empire,
the Observatory at Greenwich was made,--as an artificial meridian to
the 360 degrees, all to the right of it, until it reached 180 degrees,
being in longitude east, and all to the left of it, to 180 degrees,
west; so that every fifteen degrees I am east of Greenwich I see the
sun an hour earlier, and every fifteen degrees west an hour later. *
This is the use of the chronometer,-- it always tells the time of Greenwich (its
owner setting it to a moment when he leaves port;) consequently, if
I know the time where I am, (and this the sun will always tell me,)
then the difference between the chronometer and my time is my
difference of longitude in hours, and one hour being equal to fifteen
? Some years since the government held out a reward of 10,000/. , and again of
20,000/. , to any one discovering a means by which the longitude might be deter-
mined, and when Mr. Harrison brought the chronometer to its present stale of
perfection, the sum was awarded him, at having attained, as far as possible, the
desired end. (See Frontispiece. )
? ? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-24 14:33 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044024073470 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
LETTER VII.
123
degrees, the calculation is soon made. But the watch or chronometer
may be wrong, (and it does not do to place implicit confidence in one of
them; if there are two, and they agree, then, in general, it is safe,) but
the lunar observations are invaluable, as a check on the chronometer
and common reckoning. The Nautical Almanack gives certain
tables which tell the distances between the sun and moon, or the
moon and some particular fixed star, at a given time at Greenwich--
the distances also observed on board the ship, and the time ascer-
tained,--the difference of time is the difference of longitude. Once
on coming from the Chesapeak to Bermuda, a distance only of 600
miles, our common reckoning was out 100 miles,* but the lunar
observations were correct within two or three leagues; this, however,
was thirty years since, and the chronometer was then hardly known;
the fact was, we were some days in that extraordinary current called
the gulf stream, and then all calculations are bafSed that are not made
on the heavenly bodies. But not only to the mariner, but especially
to the farmer, is the moon invaluable. And here I must tell you
something of the harvest moon.
The moon rises later every day, but the time varies at different
seasons of the year; sometimes there being an hour's interval, some-
times only a quarter, and at the autumnal equinox even less. At that
period, the moon is in that part of her orbit where the time of her
rising on successive evenings alters the least; in fact, for some days its
? See Appendix,
c2
? ? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-24 14:33 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044024073470 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
124
THE CREATION.
variation is only a few minutes; it lingers on the earth, as if in
sympathy with the harvest man, so that the sheaves may be gathered
in. How gracious is this provision, for not only does the Lord
" crown the year with his goodness," but by this merciful appointment,
prolongs the dag. Who can reflect on this and not see the most marked
and most merciful design in all the appointments of God! (Ps. lxv.
The moon, like the earth on which it attends, is an opaque body,
and derives all its light from the sun. Its diameter is about 2,000
miles, that is, one-fourth of that of the earth, and so its magnitude is
only l-64th of it. Its distance from us is about 240,000 miles, that
is, ten times the circumference of the earth; so that a traveller who
has gone ten times round the world, has travelled a journey equal to
the moon's distance: this calculation seems to bring that planet very
near to us; and two hundred days' journey, at fifty miles an hour,
would just equal the distance, t. e. 240,000 miles.
i
THE MOON'S PHASES.
The moon never presents the same appearance to us on two suc-
cessive evenings; for as it is ever changing its relative position with
the sun and the earth, so its phases* or appearances vary. We
watched the new moon the other evening,--the sun had sunk in the
? From the Greek word " to see. "
? ? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-24 14:33 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044024073470 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? LETTER VII.
125
western sky; after a little while we discovered its beautiful silver
crescent, which seemed to be looking for the sun, as it was the part of
its disk near the sun, that was illuminated ; the next night the crescent
was enlarged, it had caught more of the sun's rays; and in five nights
more (for it was on the second day of its age we first saw it,) it was
half illumined; and on the fourteenth night it faced the sun, and the
whole orb was bright. But you may say, my dear children, if the
sun had sunk, and the earth was between it and the moon, would not
the earth eclipse the light of the sun, and shut it out from the moon ?
At times this would be the case; and your question, therefore, leads
me to say to you a little about the principle of eclipses.
ECLIPSES.
When the earth is in a direct line between the sun and the moon,
(as the latter derives all its light from the sun) it becomes eclipsed;
if the earth passes immediately over the centre of the sun, the eclipse is
total; if not, its shadow only partially obscures the moon. The same
is equally true of the eclipses of the sun; if the moon, which is an
opaque body, passes between the earth and the sun, at a time when
the orb of the moon equals that of the sun, if its centre passes over
the sun's centre, the eclipse is total, and the stars are seen; but if
the orb of the moon is less than that of the sun, and it passes over the
centre, then the eclipse is annular, and for a few minutes the sun is
seen as a beautiful golden ring in the heavens; but if the moon's
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-24 14:33 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044024073470 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 126
THE CREATION.
centre does not pass the sun's centre, but crosses obliquely, then only
part of the sun, or a limb, as it is called astronomically, is obscured.
The darkness at the Crucifixion was not caused by "opposing
spheres," but was altogether miraculous: it was the terrible vengeance
of God, " the outer darkness " gathered round the head of that most
blessed sufferer, who, with the handwriting of ordinances that was
against us, and contrary to us, nailed to his cross, suffered there the
just for the unjust . (Compare Col. ii. 14, with Gal. iii. 13, and Mark
xv. 33, 34. )
How beautifully the fourth night (" The Christian Triumph") in
" Young's Night Thoughts," alludes to this:--
" And was the ransom paid ? it was: and paid
(What can exalt the bounty more! ) for you.
The sun beheld it--no, the shocking scene
Drove back his chariot; midnight veiled his face;
Not such as this--not such as nature makes;
A midnight nature shuddered to behold;
A midnight new! a dread eclipse (without
Opposing spheres) from the Creator's frown!
Sun, didst thou fly thy Maker's pain? or start
At that enormous load of human guilt
Which bow'd His blessed head? "
Having spent so much time in considering our own habitation, the
Earth, and its Moon; let us now pass on beyond our orbit, and see
the next planet in the heavens; and that is Mars.
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LETTER VII.
127
Mars is fifty millions of miles further from the sun than the earth;
so water would freeze at its equator, and spirits of wine would freeze
at a latitude corresponding to London; this planet appears of a deep
red colour, and may be seen by the naked eye.
Vesta, Juno, Ceres, and Pallas, are at nearly the same distances from
the sun, and are very small; so that it is calculated that the diameter
of Pallas is not more than seventy miles.
Jupiter is next in brilliancy to Venus, and is the largest planet of
our system, its diameter being eighty-eight thousand miles, that is,
eleven times greater than the earth's; at times it surpasses Venus in
brightness; Jupiter has four moons attendant on him, which can be
seen with a good common telescope; the knowledge of these is very
valuable. Their eclipses are marked at Greenwich in the Nautical
tables, and the same eclipses marked in another part of the globe; the
difference of time, therefore, between them, is the difference of longi-
tude : of course this cannot be done at sea. The discovery of these
Satellites and their eclipses also, determined the important astronomical
fact, that light was not communicated instantaneously, but that it
occupied time in coming from a luminous body to the eye. *
Galileo was the first who discovered the satellites of Jupiter.
Jupiter, like all the other planets, seems to have an atmosphere of
its own; it is also surrounded with a number of parallel cloudy belts.
Saturn is still more remote from the sun, as you will see by your
? See Appendix.
? ? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-24 14:33 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044024073470 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 128
THE CREATION.
table; Saturn has seven moons, and is also encircled with a brilliant
broad ring, sometimes exceeding in brightness the planet itself; its
distance from Saturn is a third of the diameter of that planet, which
distance also just equals the breadth of the ring.
Georgium Sidus. This is the last of the planets, and seems to be
placed in the utmost bounds of the solar system, its distance being
eighteen hundred millions of miles from the sun: it has six moons.
THE COMETS.
Ere we leave the solar system to pass into the regions of the fixed
stars, we must not omit to consider this singular order of heavenly
bodies.
The word Comet is derived from the Greek word for hair, and
probably the ancients thus applied the word on account of the luminous
tail that almost always accompanies them. Though irregular in their
movements, yet the return of some of the comets has been predicted
with great accuracy. * They are supposed to be of inconsiderable
size. The comet of the last year, (1843,) seems to have caused great
interest; in the southern hemisphere its tail was visible to an amazing
extent; our last letter from your dear brother J. , thus speaks of it:
? Astronomers noticed a comet in 1305, 1456, 1531, 1607, 1682. Dr. Halley
supposed that this was one and the same comet, and if so, predicted its return in
1759, which accordingly came to pass, and it doubtless was the same as appeared
in 1835.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-24 14:33 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044024073470 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
LETTER VII.
129
--" The wonderful comet has caused a great sensation among the
settlers: it extended, I should say, over one-sixth of the heavens;
was it seen in England ? " Australia, April 14, 1843.
THE HEAVEN OF THE FIXED STARS.
Leaving the solar system, one is lost in amazement in passing on
into the boundless regions of the fixed stars, all shining in unborrowed
lustre; the thought of the Psalmist irresistibly recurs to the mind,
" When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon
and the stars, which thou hast ordained; what is man, that thou art
mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? "
(Ps. viii. 3, 4. ) And again, how sublime is that appeal to Job,
when the Lord, evidently in direct reference to the starry heavens,
says,* " Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the
bands of Orion ? Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season ? or
canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons? Knowest thou the
ordinances of heaven ? canst thou set the dominion thereof in
the earth? " (Job xxxviii. 31--33. ) Yes, beloved children, God
walketh in this circuit of the heaven, (Job xxii. 14,) and all these
orbs of light move at his direction; he has appointed them " for times,
and for signs, and for seasons. "
* Again, how striking is that reference to the constellations in Job ix. 1--10.
See also Amos v. 8.
g3
? ? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-24 14:33 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044024073470 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 130
THE CREATION.
In the absence of the moon, "the star-light of night"is most
cheering; and in an astronomical point of view, the knowledge of the
stars is very valuable; night after night have I at sea beguiled the
time in watching this or that fixed star coming to its meridian, and by
taking its altitude, ascertained the latitude of the ship: of course
these observations, from the obscurity of the horizon, cannot be so
accurate as those taken from the sun; but if the sun has not been seen
for " many days," then they become very valuable; the polar star,
with some slight variations allowed, may be thus taken any hour of the
night.
The distance of the fixed stars is beyond our calculation: it may be
thus illustrated:--" If we look down a straight road, the pathway on
each side seems to unite in the distance; and at this point, if there
were two trees, one on each side, they would appear one; but as we
walk along the road, the trees gradually separate, and we see the road
beyond them; now the earth at one period of her revolution is a hun-
dred and ninety millions of miles nearer to some fixed stars, than she
was six months before, yet this enormous space makes no difference
betwixt any of the fixed stars; how vast then must be their distances
from us! " *
The brightest of the fixed stars is Sirius, but even its rays twinkle
as they reach us; in this the fixed stars differ from the planets. We
? Rev. T. G. Hall's Exercises in Astronomy, p. 21.
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? LETTER VII.
131
have ten other stars of the first magnitude visible to us; these you will
see noticed in the table.
The ancient astronomers formed a number of imaginary figures in
the sky, and then placed the fixed stars in groups according to this
arrangement; twelve of the principal they called the Zodiac,* which
as a zone encircled the heavens; in addition to the Zodiac they had
seventy-nine other constellations, making in the whole ninety-one;
these you will find arranged in the table below, so that at a glance
the whole idea may be before you. Many of these constellations we
have watched together; and have learnt the truth of those words,
" The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth
his handy-work. " (Ps. xix. 1. )
THE CONSTELLATIONS OF THE STARRY HEAVENS.
THE SIGNS OF THE ZODIAC.
NO. OF
STARS.
KAMES OF CONSTELLATIONS.
PRINCIPAL STARS.
MAO.
67
Aries, the Ram.
143
Aldebaran . . . .
1
87
Gemini, the Twins . . . .
Castor and Pollux. .
1--2
87
Cancer, the Crab.
101
1
117
Virgo, the Virgin . . . . .
Spica Virginis . . .
1
53
Libra, the Scales.
37
Scorpio, the Scorpion . . . .
1
73
Sagittarius, the Archer.
54
Capricornus, the Goat.
119
Aquarius, the Water Bearer.
115
Pisces, the Fishes.
? From the Greek word for animals or living creatures.
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132 THE CREATION.
PRINCIPAL CONSTELLATIONS IN THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE.
NAMES OF CONSTELLATIONS.
PRINCIPAL STARS.
MAO.
Ursa Major, the Great Bear . . . .
Ursa Minor, the Lesser Bear . . . .
1
Polar Star . . . .
2
2
1
1
Draco.
Triangulum, the Triangle.
Corona Borealis, the Northern Crown.
Serpens, the Serpent.
Hercules, with the Branch.
Vega
1
1
1
Sagitla, the Arrow.
Altair
Delphinus, the Dolphin.
Cassiopeia, the Lady in her Chair.
Pegasus.
Andromeda.
PRINCIPAL CONSTELLATIONS IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE.
NAMES OF CONSTELLATIONS.
PRINCIPAL STARS.
MAO.
Achernar . . . . .
Betelguese . . . .
1
Cetus, the Whale.
Noah's Dove.
Argo Navis, the Ship Argo . . . .
Canis Major, the greater Dog. . . .
Cants Minor, the lesser Dog . . . .
Cor Hydra . . . .
Fomalhaut . . . .
Pisces Australia, Southern Fish . . .
? ? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-24 14:33 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044024073470 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
LETTER VII. 133
GENERAL TABLE OF THE FIXED STARS.
CONSTELLATIONS.
NO.
MAGNITUDE OF STARS.
SIGNS.
I.
ii.
m.
IV.
VI.
TOTAL.
12
5
16
44
120
183
646
1014
Northern Hemisphere . . .
34
6
24
59
200
291
635
1215
Southern Hemisphere . . .
45
9
36
84
190
221
323
863
91
20
76
187
510
695
1604
3092
As to the number of the fixed stars, it is calculated, that on the
brightest star-light night we can seldom see more than two thousand;
yet the stars are numberless. (Gen. xv. 5. ) Dr. Herschel says, when
gazing on the milky way, that beautiful galaxy of light, that looks
like a wreath of bright silvery clouds fixed in the azure sky, that he
observed five hundred and eighty-eight stars through his telescope
at the same time, and they continued equally numerous for a quarter
of an hour. In one portion of the milky way he computed there
were two hundred and fifty thousand stars.
Thus, my dear children, I have sought to bring before your young
minds, the blessings of this fourth day's creation; little, indeed, I have
said to what might have been said, for the subject is boundless. Rela-
tive to the astronomical part of the letter, I have endeavoured to
gather as much information as I could in so small a compass, from
? ? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-24 14:33 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044024073470 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? 134
THE CREATION.
the best established authorities, but I know the subject is one of pro-
found depth; " a few pebbles have been gathered on the sea-shore,"
as Sir Isaac Newton so beautifully and humbly said, " but the illimit-
able ocean is before us," and yet the little we do know is, as I before
remarked, of amazing benefit to us. A little while, and the whole
scene will fade away, for the day is hastening when the heavens shall
be gathered together as a scroll, and as a vesture shall the Lord fold
them up, and they shall be changed. (Ps. cii. 26; Heb. i. 12. )
Beloved children, may the Lord give to each of you to be his own,
so that that day shall have no terror in it to you; but with loins
girded, and lamps burning, may you wait his return, (Luke xii. 35,)
who shall rise " the Sun of Eighteousness, with healing in his
wings. " (Mal. iv. 2. ) Then shall the night pass away, and all will
be joy, unutterable joy, to those who love his appearing. (2 Tim. iv. 8,
compared with Heb. ix. 28. )
Believe me, dear Children,
Ever your affectionate Father.
? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-24 14:33 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044024073470 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
? THE CREATION.
135
LETTER VIII.
THOU, LORD, IN THE BEGINNING, HAST LAID THE FOUNDATION OF THE EARTH; AND
THE HEAVENS ARE THE WORKS OF THINE HANDS: THEY SHALL PERISH; BUT THOU
REMAINEST: AND THEY ALL SHALL WAX OLD AS DOTH A GARMENT; AND AS A
VESTURE SHALT THOU FOLD THEM UP, AND THEY SHALL BE CHANGED: BUT THOU
ART THE SAME, AND THY YEARS SHALL NOT FAIL. --Hebrews i. 10--12.
My dear Children,
I have been thinking much of the scene to which I allnded at the
close of my last letter, and of the verses especially which I have
selected as a motto for this. That which so forcibly strikes me, is the
progression we had made in passing on from one planet to another,
thousands and millions of miles; until, having reached the Georgium
Sidus,* we found ourselves in the utmost bounds of the solar system,
eighteen thousand millions of miles from the sun: from thence we
passed on into the boundless heaven of the fixed stars, and here all
? Foreign astronomers have given this star the beautiful name of Uranus, which
is derived from the Greek word for " the heavens," probably considering it the
boundary of the solar heavens.
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122
THE CREATION.
soon up, and the whole body of the ocean becomes the sailor's
friend, to carry him to the port--or the haven where he would be.
(Ps. cvii. 30. ) But not only does the sailor benefit by the moon in
this particular, but many of his most valuable calculations are derived
from the same source, especially the lunar observations. Astronomers
have divided the circle of the earth into 360 parts, or degrees; and, as
once in twenty-four hours the globe performs its daily journey, 360
divided by twenty-four will give the number of degrees that occupy
one hour of that journey, i. e. 15. In the time of Charles II. , that
there might be one general principle of calculation through the empire,
the Observatory at Greenwich was made,--as an artificial meridian to
the 360 degrees, all to the right of it, until it reached 180 degrees,
being in longitude east, and all to the left of it, to 180 degrees,
west; so that every fifteen degrees I am east of Greenwich I see the
sun an hour earlier, and every fifteen degrees west an hour later. *
This is the use of the chronometer,-- it always tells the time of Greenwich (its
owner setting it to a moment when he leaves port;) consequently, if
I know the time where I am, (and this the sun will always tell me,)
then the difference between the chronometer and my time is my
difference of longitude in hours, and one hour being equal to fifteen
? Some years since the government held out a reward of 10,000/. , and again of
20,000/. , to any one discovering a means by which the longitude might be deter-
mined, and when Mr. Harrison brought the chronometer to its present stale of
perfection, the sum was awarded him, at having attained, as far as possible, the
desired end. (See Frontispiece. )
? ? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-24 14:33 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044024073470 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
LETTER VII.
123
degrees, the calculation is soon made. But the watch or chronometer
may be wrong, (and it does not do to place implicit confidence in one of
them; if there are two, and they agree, then, in general, it is safe,) but
the lunar observations are invaluable, as a check on the chronometer
and common reckoning. The Nautical Almanack gives certain
tables which tell the distances between the sun and moon, or the
moon and some particular fixed star, at a given time at Greenwich--
the distances also observed on board the ship, and the time ascer-
tained,--the difference of time is the difference of longitude. Once
on coming from the Chesapeak to Bermuda, a distance only of 600
miles, our common reckoning was out 100 miles,* but the lunar
observations were correct within two or three leagues; this, however,
was thirty years since, and the chronometer was then hardly known;
the fact was, we were some days in that extraordinary current called
the gulf stream, and then all calculations are bafSed that are not made
on the heavenly bodies. But not only to the mariner, but especially
to the farmer, is the moon invaluable. And here I must tell you
something of the harvest moon.
The moon rises later every day, but the time varies at different
seasons of the year; sometimes there being an hour's interval, some-
times only a quarter, and at the autumnal equinox even less. At that
period, the moon is in that part of her orbit where the time of her
rising on successive evenings alters the least; in fact, for some days its
? See Appendix,
c2
? ? ? Generated for (University of Chicago) on 2014-12-24 14:33 GMT / http://hdl. handle. net/2027/hvd. 32044024073470 Public Domain, Google-digitized / http://www. hathitrust. org/access_use#pd-google
124
THE CREATION.
variation is only a few minutes; it lingers on the earth, as if in
sympathy with the harvest man, so that the sheaves may be gathered
in. How gracious is this provision, for not only does the Lord
" crown the year with his goodness," but by this merciful appointment,
prolongs the dag. Who can reflect on this and not see the most marked
and most merciful design in all the appointments of God! (Ps. lxv.
The moon, like the earth on which it attends, is an opaque body,
and derives all its light from the sun. Its diameter is about 2,000
miles, that is, one-fourth of that of the earth, and so its magnitude is
only l-64th of it. Its distance from us is about 240,000 miles, that
is, ten times the circumference of the earth; so that a traveller who
has gone ten times round the world, has travelled a journey equal to
the moon's distance: this calculation seems to bring that planet very
near to us; and two hundred days' journey, at fifty miles an hour,
would just equal the distance, t. e. 240,000 miles.
i
THE MOON'S PHASES.
The moon never presents the same appearance to us on two suc-
cessive evenings; for as it is ever changing its relative position with
the sun and the earth, so its phases* or appearances vary. We
watched the new moon the other evening,--the sun had sunk in the
? From the Greek word " to see. "
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? LETTER VII.
125
western sky; after a little while we discovered its beautiful silver
crescent, which seemed to be looking for the sun, as it was the part of
its disk near the sun, that was illuminated ; the next night the crescent
was enlarged, it had caught more of the sun's rays; and in five nights
more (for it was on the second day of its age we first saw it,) it was
half illumined; and on the fourteenth night it faced the sun, and the
whole orb was bright. But you may say, my dear children, if the
sun had sunk, and the earth was between it and the moon, would not
the earth eclipse the light of the sun, and shut it out from the moon ?
At times this would be the case; and your question, therefore, leads
me to say to you a little about the principle of eclipses.
ECLIPSES.
When the earth is in a direct line between the sun and the moon,
(as the latter derives all its light from the sun) it becomes eclipsed;
if the earth passes immediately over the centre of the sun, the eclipse is
total; if not, its shadow only partially obscures the moon. The same
is equally true of the eclipses of the sun; if the moon, which is an
opaque body, passes between the earth and the sun, at a time when
the orb of the moon equals that of the sun, if its centre passes over
the sun's centre, the eclipse is total, and the stars are seen; but if
the orb of the moon is less than that of the sun, and it passes over the
centre, then the eclipse is annular, and for a few minutes the sun is
seen as a beautiful golden ring in the heavens; but if the moon's
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? 126
THE CREATION.
centre does not pass the sun's centre, but crosses obliquely, then only
part of the sun, or a limb, as it is called astronomically, is obscured.
The darkness at the Crucifixion was not caused by "opposing
spheres," but was altogether miraculous: it was the terrible vengeance
of God, " the outer darkness " gathered round the head of that most
blessed sufferer, who, with the handwriting of ordinances that was
against us, and contrary to us, nailed to his cross, suffered there the
just for the unjust . (Compare Col. ii. 14, with Gal. iii. 13, and Mark
xv. 33, 34. )
How beautifully the fourth night (" The Christian Triumph") in
" Young's Night Thoughts," alludes to this:--
" And was the ransom paid ? it was: and paid
(What can exalt the bounty more! ) for you.
The sun beheld it--no, the shocking scene
Drove back his chariot; midnight veiled his face;
Not such as this--not such as nature makes;
A midnight nature shuddered to behold;
A midnight new! a dread eclipse (without
Opposing spheres) from the Creator's frown!
Sun, didst thou fly thy Maker's pain? or start
At that enormous load of human guilt
Which bow'd His blessed head? "
Having spent so much time in considering our own habitation, the
Earth, and its Moon; let us now pass on beyond our orbit, and see
the next planet in the heavens; and that is Mars.
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LETTER VII.
127
Mars is fifty millions of miles further from the sun than the earth;
so water would freeze at its equator, and spirits of wine would freeze
at a latitude corresponding to London; this planet appears of a deep
red colour, and may be seen by the naked eye.
Vesta, Juno, Ceres, and Pallas, are at nearly the same distances from
the sun, and are very small; so that it is calculated that the diameter
of Pallas is not more than seventy miles.
Jupiter is next in brilliancy to Venus, and is the largest planet of
our system, its diameter being eighty-eight thousand miles, that is,
eleven times greater than the earth's; at times it surpasses Venus in
brightness; Jupiter has four moons attendant on him, which can be
seen with a good common telescope; the knowledge of these is very
valuable. Their eclipses are marked at Greenwich in the Nautical
tables, and the same eclipses marked in another part of the globe; the
difference of time, therefore, between them, is the difference of longi-
tude : of course this cannot be done at sea. The discovery of these
Satellites and their eclipses also, determined the important astronomical
fact, that light was not communicated instantaneously, but that it
occupied time in coming from a luminous body to the eye. *
Galileo was the first who discovered the satellites of Jupiter.
Jupiter, like all the other planets, seems to have an atmosphere of
its own; it is also surrounded with a number of parallel cloudy belts.
Saturn is still more remote from the sun, as you will see by your
? See Appendix.
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? 128
THE CREATION.
table; Saturn has seven moons, and is also encircled with a brilliant
broad ring, sometimes exceeding in brightness the planet itself; its
distance from Saturn is a third of the diameter of that planet, which
distance also just equals the breadth of the ring.
Georgium Sidus. This is the last of the planets, and seems to be
placed in the utmost bounds of the solar system, its distance being
eighteen hundred millions of miles from the sun: it has six moons.
THE COMETS.
Ere we leave the solar system to pass into the regions of the fixed
stars, we must not omit to consider this singular order of heavenly
bodies.
The word Comet is derived from the Greek word for hair, and
probably the ancients thus applied the word on account of the luminous
tail that almost always accompanies them. Though irregular in their
movements, yet the return of some of the comets has been predicted
with great accuracy. * They are supposed to be of inconsiderable
size. The comet of the last year, (1843,) seems to have caused great
interest; in the southern hemisphere its tail was visible to an amazing
extent; our last letter from your dear brother J. , thus speaks of it:
? Astronomers noticed a comet in 1305, 1456, 1531, 1607, 1682. Dr. Halley
supposed that this was one and the same comet, and if so, predicted its return in
1759, which accordingly came to pass, and it doubtless was the same as appeared
in 1835.
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LETTER VII.
129
--" The wonderful comet has caused a great sensation among the
settlers: it extended, I should say, over one-sixth of the heavens;
was it seen in England ? " Australia, April 14, 1843.
THE HEAVEN OF THE FIXED STARS.
Leaving the solar system, one is lost in amazement in passing on
into the boundless regions of the fixed stars, all shining in unborrowed
lustre; the thought of the Psalmist irresistibly recurs to the mind,
" When I consider thy heavens, the work of thy fingers, the moon
and the stars, which thou hast ordained; what is man, that thou art
mindful of him? and the son of man, that thou visitest him? "
(Ps. viii. 3, 4. ) And again, how sublime is that appeal to Job,
when the Lord, evidently in direct reference to the starry heavens,
says,* " Canst thou bind the sweet influences of Pleiades, or loose the
bands of Orion ? Canst thou bring forth Mazzaroth in his season ? or
canst thou guide Arcturus with his sons? Knowest thou the
ordinances of heaven ? canst thou set the dominion thereof in
the earth? " (Job xxxviii. 31--33. ) Yes, beloved children, God
walketh in this circuit of the heaven, (Job xxii. 14,) and all these
orbs of light move at his direction; he has appointed them " for times,
and for signs, and for seasons. "
* Again, how striking is that reference to the constellations in Job ix. 1--10.
See also Amos v. 8.
g3
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? 130
THE CREATION.
In the absence of the moon, "the star-light of night"is most
cheering; and in an astronomical point of view, the knowledge of the
stars is very valuable; night after night have I at sea beguiled the
time in watching this or that fixed star coming to its meridian, and by
taking its altitude, ascertained the latitude of the ship: of course
these observations, from the obscurity of the horizon, cannot be so
accurate as those taken from the sun; but if the sun has not been seen
for " many days," then they become very valuable; the polar star,
with some slight variations allowed, may be thus taken any hour of the
night.
The distance of the fixed stars is beyond our calculation: it may be
thus illustrated:--" If we look down a straight road, the pathway on
each side seems to unite in the distance; and at this point, if there
were two trees, one on each side, they would appear one; but as we
walk along the road, the trees gradually separate, and we see the road
beyond them; now the earth at one period of her revolution is a hun-
dred and ninety millions of miles nearer to some fixed stars, than she
was six months before, yet this enormous space makes no difference
betwixt any of the fixed stars; how vast then must be their distances
from us! " *
The brightest of the fixed stars is Sirius, but even its rays twinkle
as they reach us; in this the fixed stars differ from the planets. We
? Rev. T. G. Hall's Exercises in Astronomy, p. 21.
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? LETTER VII.
131
have ten other stars of the first magnitude visible to us; these you will
see noticed in the table.
The ancient astronomers formed a number of imaginary figures in
the sky, and then placed the fixed stars in groups according to this
arrangement; twelve of the principal they called the Zodiac,* which
as a zone encircled the heavens; in addition to the Zodiac they had
seventy-nine other constellations, making in the whole ninety-one;
these you will find arranged in the table below, so that at a glance
the whole idea may be before you. Many of these constellations we
have watched together; and have learnt the truth of those words,
" The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament sheweth
his handy-work. " (Ps. xix. 1. )
THE CONSTELLATIONS OF THE STARRY HEAVENS.
THE SIGNS OF THE ZODIAC.
NO. OF
STARS.
KAMES OF CONSTELLATIONS.
PRINCIPAL STARS.
MAO.
67
Aries, the Ram.
143
Aldebaran . . . .
1
87
Gemini, the Twins . . . .
Castor and Pollux. .
1--2
87
Cancer, the Crab.
101
1
117
Virgo, the Virgin . . . . .
Spica Virginis . . .
1
53
Libra, the Scales.
37
Scorpio, the Scorpion . . . .
1
73
Sagittarius, the Archer.
54
Capricornus, the Goat.
119
Aquarius, the Water Bearer.
115
Pisces, the Fishes.
? From the Greek word for animals or living creatures.
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132 THE CREATION.
PRINCIPAL CONSTELLATIONS IN THE NORTHERN HEMISPHERE.
NAMES OF CONSTELLATIONS.
PRINCIPAL STARS.
MAO.
Ursa Major, the Great Bear . . . .
Ursa Minor, the Lesser Bear . . . .
1
Polar Star . . . .
2
2
1
1
Draco.
Triangulum, the Triangle.
Corona Borealis, the Northern Crown.
Serpens, the Serpent.
Hercules, with the Branch.
Vega
1
1
1
Sagitla, the Arrow.
Altair
Delphinus, the Dolphin.
Cassiopeia, the Lady in her Chair.
Pegasus.
Andromeda.
PRINCIPAL CONSTELLATIONS IN THE SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE.
NAMES OF CONSTELLATIONS.
PRINCIPAL STARS.
MAO.
Achernar . . . . .
Betelguese . . . .
1
Cetus, the Whale.
Noah's Dove.
Argo Navis, the Ship Argo . . . .
Canis Major, the greater Dog. . . .
Cants Minor, the lesser Dog . . . .
Cor Hydra . . . .
Fomalhaut . . . .
Pisces Australia, Southern Fish . . .
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LETTER VII. 133
GENERAL TABLE OF THE FIXED STARS.
CONSTELLATIONS.
NO.
MAGNITUDE OF STARS.
SIGNS.
I.
ii.
m.
IV.
VI.
TOTAL.
12
5
16
44
120
183
646
1014
Northern Hemisphere . . .
34
6
24
59
200
291
635
1215
Southern Hemisphere . . .
45
9
36
84
190
221
323
863
91
20
76
187
510
695
1604
3092
As to the number of the fixed stars, it is calculated, that on the
brightest star-light night we can seldom see more than two thousand;
yet the stars are numberless. (Gen. xv. 5. ) Dr. Herschel says, when
gazing on the milky way, that beautiful galaxy of light, that looks
like a wreath of bright silvery clouds fixed in the azure sky, that he
observed five hundred and eighty-eight stars through his telescope
at the same time, and they continued equally numerous for a quarter
of an hour. In one portion of the milky way he computed there
were two hundred and fifty thousand stars.
Thus, my dear children, I have sought to bring before your young
minds, the blessings of this fourth day's creation; little, indeed, I have
said to what might have been said, for the subject is boundless. Rela-
tive to the astronomical part of the letter, I have endeavoured to
gather as much information as I could in so small a compass, from
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? 134
THE CREATION.
the best established authorities, but I know the subject is one of pro-
found depth; " a few pebbles have been gathered on the sea-shore,"
as Sir Isaac Newton so beautifully and humbly said, " but the illimit-
able ocean is before us," and yet the little we do know is, as I before
remarked, of amazing benefit to us. A little while, and the whole
scene will fade away, for the day is hastening when the heavens shall
be gathered together as a scroll, and as a vesture shall the Lord fold
them up, and they shall be changed. (Ps. cii. 26; Heb. i. 12. )
Beloved children, may the Lord give to each of you to be his own,
so that that day shall have no terror in it to you; but with loins
girded, and lamps burning, may you wait his return, (Luke xii. 35,)
who shall rise " the Sun of Eighteousness, with healing in his
wings. " (Mal. iv. 2. ) Then shall the night pass away, and all will
be joy, unutterable joy, to those who love his appearing. (2 Tim. iv. 8,
compared with Heb. ix. 28. )
Believe me, dear Children,
Ever your affectionate Father.
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? THE CREATION.
135
LETTER VIII.
THOU, LORD, IN THE BEGINNING, HAST LAID THE FOUNDATION OF THE EARTH; AND
THE HEAVENS ARE THE WORKS OF THINE HANDS: THEY SHALL PERISH; BUT THOU
REMAINEST: AND THEY ALL SHALL WAX OLD AS DOTH A GARMENT; AND AS A
VESTURE SHALT THOU FOLD THEM UP, AND THEY SHALL BE CHANGED: BUT THOU
ART THE SAME, AND THY YEARS SHALL NOT FAIL. --Hebrews i. 10--12.
My dear Children,
I have been thinking much of the scene to which I allnded at the
close of my last letter, and of the verses especially which I have
selected as a motto for this. That which so forcibly strikes me, is the
progression we had made in passing on from one planet to another,
thousands and millions of miles; until, having reached the Georgium
Sidus,* we found ourselves in the utmost bounds of the solar system,
eighteen thousand millions of miles from the sun: from thence we
passed on into the boundless heaven of the fixed stars, and here all
? Foreign astronomers have given this star the beautiful name of Uranus, which
is derived from the Greek word for " the heavens," probably considering it the
boundary of the solar heavens.
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