The Pacific commercial advertiser. [volume] (Honolulu, Hawaiian Islands) 1856-1888, 1874-12-19
Transit of Venus. Historical Events.
THE FIRST PREDICTION.

THE FIRST PREDICTION.
Kepler the distinguished astronomer was the first
one TO predict a transit of Venus. According to his
calculations, based upon what are. termed the Ru-
dolphine tables he predicted a transit for 1881 and
30 all the astronomers of Europe were on the qui vive
to observe the newly discovered celestial phenomenon.
But on the appointed day the telescopes of observers,
both professional and amateur were pointed towards
the suns disc in vain; as his glowing face remained
unlocked and perfectly immaculate on that day.
THE FIRST OBSERVER.
Among the Disguised astronomers Of that time was
an amateur, who though disappointed had not how
ever like many others, lost faith in Kepler, nor in the
actually of a transit. This amateur was a poor Gu
rate named Jeremiah HORROR. Of a very poor parish,
called Hoole. in the suburbs of Liverpool. when that
city was far from being the commercial metropolis of
England. This poor curate divided his time between
the clOdhoppers of Hoole, and the beautiful stars.
And faithful duty in the lowest of walks, aud to the
most humdrum of details, will not hinder the march
of intellect; nor dull our taste for the higher range
Of science; but il will serve to heighten our appetite
for enquiry into the wondrous arcana of nature: and
it's faithful performance will ennoble our research,
whether into the spores of q fern. or among the star
dust Of the universe.
A GENIUS AT WORK.
However let US not be understood to say that the
duties of this poor preacher unto the poor we're hum
drum in striving to lead souls on the way to heaven;
but the natures he had to deal with were humdrum
and would have kept him forever dragging in the
dirt of coarse duty. when be would soar in the di-
vine empyrean. Aud it was so that he had to steal
his chances away from the bickers and bothers Of
cottiers in order to hold a little converse with the con-
stellations. And yet be was not so much a dreamer
as q calculator. In fact be had the spirit Of work Of
n ri 0apina and a. ha want NJ tho "a cplo a. n
Kepler, and discovered that the transit was properly
set down for the day indicated; but owing TO a slight
error which made a difference of a few hours, the
transit did not take place in respect to England and
the rest of Europe in 1881, till some time after sun
set!
THE FAITH OF GENIUS.
Here was faith in Kepler justified; and our anna
teur pursuing his fayorite hobby discovers in accord
ance with his calculation that another transit must
take place about November "a, 1889 (old style.) He
announces his discovery, but astronomers aud the
public who conceived themselves deceived by q Keep
Ter. were not to be hoaxed by a Horrox-and made
no preparations for an observation. But this poor
clergyman who had his faith fixed as the stars, pre-
pared for an observation. and induced an intelligent
friend or two to be witnesses to the truth OF what he
should record.
THE FIRST TRANSIT OBSERVATORY.
As he had not the means to construct an astro-
nomical hut, or impTovised observatory, nor any
proper transit instruments to place therein, he did
the best he could with such appliances as were ct
hand. He had an ordinary telescope, and this he
placed. pointing out of an aperture in a darkeued
chamber, so that when it was pointed towards the
sun, it threw an image Of the luminary upon a sheet
Of white paper inside. And now he got ready and
commenced his observation on the 23d, a day before
hand, as he did not feel absolutely sure about the ex-
actitude of his calculation. This day passed without
noting anything to reward his assiduous watch. On
the day following, the Path. he was faithfully at work
at his astronomical post; but this was Sunday, and
there was q higher post of duty for him TO attend to
than TO watch the heavens; he had TO pray for and
preach to those who were dimly seeing their way to
heaven.
EUREKA!
We do not know whether he hurried that sermon
or not. 1t may however be reasonably assumed that
it was not unusually long and when service was
over, and the clodhoppers were dismissed with a bless
ing, We may take it for granted that our faithful
pastor in returning to his home did not tarry for any
village gossip by the wayside. During his absence
the unerring instrument of observation had been
pointed by q friendly hand, towards the sun, to
challenge the great central orb Of light to reveal q
won6rous phenomenon Of his statellitious system;
and 10, the delighted curate when be enters his cam
era obscuru. sees within the luminous circle on the
sheet Of paper q little dark spot
TIE FIRST TRANSIT RECORDED.
In this disappointing weary world where so many
seek FOR q blessed star that forever remains occult TO
them. there are however some few who find it; and
here was one seeker who was made ~pre-eminentiy
happy by discovery. Here was the planet of Venus
crossing the disc Of the sun. He watches her pro-
gress he can define the course of her transit; and
be makes q record of many phases Of the phenomenon
for our enlightenment at this day: aud this was the
first observation Of the transit Of Venus made two
hundred and thirty-hve years ago.
SUCCEEDING rRAssITs. d
The next transit was predicted by HALEY for 1761,
and was observed by many astronomers. Then fol-
lowed the octennisl transit Of the last century in
1859. observed by Captain Cook and a corps Of sci
enti6c assistants sent out by the British Government
to Tahiti The result Of another British expedition,
and of another transit observation in the Pacific is
Just before Us. Tie next transit viii take place in
1882; and after that some young folks may wait till
20O4, when the earth and Venus being on the line Of