The Sun.
London, England, 1853-09-01 00:00:00

TO THE EDITOR OF THE TIMES.

Sir, —The comet which has been so conspicuous during
the last week, and which, if I may judge from the large
number of letters that have been addressed to me on
the subject, appears to have attracted public attention
in all parts of the country, was very favourably seen
here on Saturday, and again yesterday evening.
On the latter occasion, allowing for the proximity of
the comet to the horizon, and the strong glow of twi-
light, its nucleus was fully as bright as an average star
of the first magnitude ; the tail extended about 3 degs.
from the head. When viewed in the comet-seeker the
nucleus appeared of a bright gold colour, and about
half the diameter of the planet Jupiter, which was
shining at the time in the southern heavens, and could
be readily compared with the comet. The tail pro-
ceeds directly from the head in a single stream, and not,
as sometimes remarked, in two branches. The distance
of this body from the earth at 8 o'clock last evening was
80,000,000 miles ; and hence it results that the actual
diameter of the bright nucleus was 8,000 miles, or about
equal to that of the earth, while the tail had a real
length of 4,500,000 miles, and a breadth of 250,000,
which is rather over the distance separating the moon
from the earth.

It is usual to assume that the intensity of a comet's
light varies as the reciprocal of the products of the
squares of the distances from the earth and sun, but
the present one has undergone a far more rapid in-
crease of brilliancy than would result from this hypo-
thesis. The augmentation of light will go on till the
3d of September, and it will be worth while to look for
the comet in the daytime about that date : for this pur-
pose an equatorially mounted telescope will be required,
and I would suggest the addition of a light green or red
glass, to take off the great glare of sunlight, the instru-
ment being adjusted to focus on the planet Venus. I
subjoin the position of the comet for noon, mean time,
at Greenwich :
Right Aschision. Declination.
h. m. s. d. m.
Aug. 29 ... 11 34 39 ... North 16 22
„ 30 ... 11 33 1 „ 14 11
„31 ... 11 30 39 ... „ 11 48
Sept. 1 ... 11 27 33 ... 18
„ 2 ... 11 23 47 ... „ 642
„ 3 ... 11 19 19 ... 359
„ 4 ... 11 14 20 ... „ 113
Of 5 ... 11 853 ... South 144
~ 6 ... 11 3 2 ... „ 434
This comet was discovered on the 10th of June by Mr
Klinkerfues, of the Observatory at Gottingen, but was
not bright enough to be seen without a telescope until
about August 13.
In a letter copied into the Times a few days since Sir
William Hamilton hints at the possibility of this being
the comet I had been expecting, but I will avail myself
of the present opportunity of stating that such is not
the case, the elements of the orbits having no resem-
blance. The comet referred to will probably re-appear
between the years 1858 and 1861, and, if the perihelion
passage takes place during the summer months, we
may expect to see, a body of far more imposing aspen'
than the one at present visible.
I remain, sir, your most obedient servant,
Mr. Bishop's Observatory, Aug. 29.

J. R. lIIND.

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commerce with the fine arts. The spacious building
tions, and the lecturer was repeatedly applauded. The
proceeds of the lecture is to be given to the Catholic
Literary Institute, Hope-street, Liverpool.
MURDER IN BERMONDSEY.--Yesterday Mr. Carter,
the coroner for East Surrey, held an inquest upon Mr.
George Stevens, who had carried on the business of a
plumber for many years in Stevens'-street, Bermondsey
New Town, and who was the owner of considerable
property in houses in that neighbourhood. The jury,
after hearing evidence, returned a verdict of "Wilful
murder" against John Lawrence. The Coroner imme-
diately issued his warrant for the apprehension of Law-
rence, which was placed in the hands of Inspector
Branford. The wife and father-in-law of Lawrence were
present during the whole of the inquiry.
ERICCSON'S INVENTION.—The experiments which were-
announced as about to be made at Havre by commis-
sions of the Institute and of the Minister of Marine, on
the hot air machine of M. Ericcson, have taken place,
but the report of the commissioners is for the present
kept secret. A Havre journal states that the experi-
ments were not so conclusive as had been expected, in
consequence of the imperfections of the machine from
its having been got up hastily.—Galignani.
APPALLING ACCIDENT.—On Thursday afternoon last,
when a large party, who had been enjoying themselves
at a pic-nic in the neighbourhood of Boscastle, were
about to return to their homes, the hat of Mr. Dennis,
a solicitor, who was assisting two ladies to the carriage,
was blown off. In running to recover it the unfortu-
nate gentleman fell over the cliffs, and was dashed to
pieces. Mr. Glencross, of Devonport, chemist, was,
hwade
understand, one of the party whose day spleasure
INCREASE OF WAGES Al KILIIARNOCK.—The coal-
masters about Kilmarnock have agreed to advance the
smoauinl.happy and distressing a termination.—Plymouth
wages of their workmen from 4s. to 4s. 6d. per day.
EDINBURGH PEACE CONGRESS.—This Conference has
tsocothile
been fixed for the 12th and 13th of October. The Lord
large towns of Scotland
four-
object '
whose it
committees are in course of formation
public mind on the nature and
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will be to instruct the
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have
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their
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intentions of the Conference, and to obtain the ap-
pointment
of the Conservarive
• Land Society, has just been effected
suitable i tawhi
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months
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purchase,Hof
for allotment among the members, at Reading, Berk-
shire. The estate is situated on the Castle Hill, and is
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tiful view.
CRICKET.—KENT v. SURREY.—Wednesday, third day,
Kent had 119 runs to win, they obtained 106, which
lost the match by 12 runs.
SCOTS GREYS.—Two troops of the Scots Greys, under
the command of Lieutenant Freeman, arrived in Derby
on Tuesday en route from the Chobham camp to Sheffield.
—Derby Mercury.
THE STRIKE OF THE LIGHTERmEN.--The strike of the
working ligb.termen still continues,