The British Press; or, Morning Literary Advertiser.
London, England, 1826-04-25 00:00:00

VuLCiXO IN 77(2 MOON.

The following notice, respecting a volca: is appearancw
in the moon (as published by Capt. Henry Rater, F.RAI)
is given in the Nleclianic's Register.
" On Sunday evening, the 4th February, I observed a lumineose
spot in the dark part of the moon, which I was inclined to:seethe
to the eruption of a volcano.
" The telescope used was an excellent Newtonian, of 6j inched
aperture, with a power of 71. The moon was exactly two dirt
old, and the evening so clear that I was able to discern the geneisli
outlines in the dark part of her disc. Her western azimuth was
ab.iut 70 degrees, and her altitude about 10 degrees.' In thiipoti:
ion, at six hours and thirty tninute;, the volcano (estiniatlrg Ise
the eye) appeared distant from the northern 'Mil) of the moon sibeue,
I.llith of her diameter. Its appearance was that of a small tielewte,
subtending an angle of about three or four seconds. Its brightness
very variable ; a luminous point, like a small star of the 0;11
or seventh magnitude, would suddenly appear in its centre, and ea
suddenly disappear, and these changes would sometimes take plate
in the course of a few seconds. On the evening of the Bth, hiving
an engagement which prevented me from observing it mystr,
I arranged the telescope for two friends, who remarked the;
came phenomena as the night before, but in an inferior drftlre,
partly, perhaps. in conserpence of the evening not bring so
able. On the Pith I again observed it ; it had certainly beiMine
more faint, and the starlike appearance less frequent. I could las
it very distinctly with a power of 40: as the moon approached the
horizon, it was visible only at intervals, when the starlike appear-
cnce took place. On the same evening I had the pleasure of show-
ing it to Mr. Henry Browne, F.R.S. I regret that I had no mi-
crometer adapted to my telescope, but I have reason to believe the
distance of the volcano from the edge of the moan was about ons-
tenth of her diameter; and the apgle it formed this evening 1V:14
the line joining the cusps, was about 50 degrees. I remarked near
the edge of the moon a well-known dark apot, from which iht vol-
cano was distant, as neatly as I could estimate, three times its dis-
tance from the edge of the moon. In a map of the moon, published
by Dr. Kitchener (which is the best small map with which I all
acquainted), there is a mountain sufficiently near the situation of
the volcano, to authorize the supposition that they may be ideals.
cal. On the 7th I could still see the volcano, and the occasional
starlike appearance ; but I do not think it was sufficiently
perceptible to have been discovered by a person ignorant of
its precise situation. I am inclined, however, to think that site
difficulty of seeing it is rather to be attributed to the increased light
of the moon, than to the diminished action of the volcano. Tne
spot in which I observed the volcanic appearance is that named
A ristarrlss. This spot was particularly examined by Ilelve•ios,
who calls it M,,,, Porphiriks, and who consider; it to be volcanic.
if his drawings are to be relied upon, it has undergone a consi-
derable cht.nge in its appearance since his time. Sir William fret.
Schell has recorded, In his Philosophical Transactions, an observe.
two of three volcanoes which he perceived in the moon, April 19M,
1787, at 10ii. 31im. sidereal time. One of these, which he said
showed an actual eruption of fire or luminous matter,' was distant
from the northern limb of the moon 9h. 67m. 3.42, the diaMeter
the burning part being not less than 3m. I find that this observe-
tion was made about nine o'clock in the evening, when the moon
was not quite two days old; and, from the siwation of the spot de-
scribed by Sir William Herschell, I have no doubt of its being the
same that I have noticed."

SPORTING EXTRAORDINARY AT WIGAN !-J. Donald..
son, Esq. a Burgess of this ancient borough, end otherwise a gen-
tleman of opulence and respectability, on Thursday evening week,
undertook fur a wager of two pounds to one, which odds were offetett
to him by Mr. !Rawson, of the Royal Hotel, to Walk barefoot
from that lon to the Lamb Coffee-house, a distance of about three
quarters of a mile ; the time of starting to be twelve o'clock she
next day (Friday last). On the morning in question, the piirts
accidentally met, when Mr. Mswson observing, that he did not
think Mr. Donaldson would perform his task, the latter offered Avis
pounds to one that he would, which was sc:epted. Precive'y at the
time appointed, Air. D. was seen, barefooted, coming down the
steps of the lloteL Some (knifemen laughed as he passed them.
when:hegood-humouredly remarked. being a North Briton. " Hoot,
mon ! d'ye think it'sthe first time I ever walk'd after this fashion •
Upwards of Latle persons were present, who greeted him, ow stmt.
ing, with a am:mishap of hearty cheers. Oa arriving at Cue en 4 of
hisjourgey, he said it was an extremely easy way of getting money,
and wiakd he could meet with a similar offer to return. He p 4.,
rented Ms *Malaga, on this eccentric occasion, to the Wire la.
dlgent bociety..-Buidok Express.

KING'S THEATRE.
vitp SIIENINO will be performed llosAlai's Opera Soria.
la Two Art•. entitled
OTE I.LO.

The prinelpal Characters by blaiame Parra (her 2d apperrance this sea.
son;. Madame Castelli, Signer CartenL Signor 'rota, bignur
Shia or Porto.
After the Opera the new Mythalogical Haller,
LA NAISSANCE DE VENUS.
ae• No Orders will be adueltted, and the Free 1.14 is su.rended.
A t..2w Ballet, and the Opera of "Huse Blanes rt Ruse 1t.,,5a," by Meyer,
are le rehearsal, end will be epterily produced.
Application., Ac. as uetal. •