The Hazlehurst signal., 1885-05-28
BILL SYR STUDIES STARS.
Tho Astronomical Observations Of : Hu.
morist'


morist'
We arc told TINT there has been
no perceptiblc growth or decay
in the star business since man be-
gan to roam around through SPACE;
in his mind, and make figures on
tile barn door with rcd chalkt
shuwing the celestial time table.
No serious accidents have Oc-
Cured IN the starry heavens since
| begun to- observe and study
their habits. Not u star has wax
cd, not a star has waned to my
knowledge. Not q planet has
scason-cracKed or shown any of
the injurious effects vt our rigor-
Gus climate. Not n star has rip.
ened prematurely or fallen off
the trees. The varnish on tho
oldest stars / find on close and
critical examination to be in
splendid condition. They will no
doubt wear as long rs we need
them, and wink on long after we
have ceased to wink back.
In 1866 there appeared sud-
denly in the northern crown q
star of about the third magnitude
and worth at least $3.50. 1t was
generally conceded by astrono-
mers that this was % brand new
star that had never been used,'
but upon consulting Argelander's'
star catalogue and price list it
was found that this was not u
new. star ut all, but an old faded
out star of the ninth magnitude.
with the front breadths turned
wrong side out and trimmed with
moonlight along the seams.
After a few days of phenomcr-'
al brightness it gently ceased to
draw II salary us u star of tho
third magnitude and walked home
with an "Unclc Toms Cabin"
company.
Then, again, you take a GER.
tain style of star, which you learn
from Prof. Simon Newcomb is ut
such distance that it takes 50,-
900 years for its light to reach
Boston. Now We will suppose
that after looking over the large
stock of new and secondhand
stars, and after examining the
spring catalogue and price list
decide that one of tho smaller
size will do me and l buy it. How
do know that it was there when
/ bought it? Its cold and silent
rays may have ceased $4,000
wears before ! was born and the
intelligence be still on the way.
There IL too much margin be-
tween sale and delivery. Every
now and then another astronomer
comes to me and says: "Pro-
fcssor, l have discovered another
new star and intend to file it.
Found it last night about u mile
and u half south of the zenith'run-'
ming loose. Haven't heard of an
body who has lost q star of the
fifteenth magnitude, about thir-
tccn hands high, with light name
and tail have you?" Now, how
do / know that he has discovered
a brand new star? How can |
discover whether he is or not
playing an old, threadbarc star on
me for a new one?
1t is surprising that every lit
tie while / contemplate withdraw
ing from scientific research to 60
and skin an cight-mule team
down through the dim vista of re-
lentless years.
; There is much in thegrcat field
of astronomy that's disoouraging
to the savapt Sho hasn't the time
nor means to runmago around
through the heavens. At times
T am almost hopeless, and. feel
like saying to the great yearnful,
hungry worlds "Grope on for
ever. Do not ask mo for another
scientific fact. Find it out your
self. Hunt up your own new
laid planets, and let mo have .
rest Never ask me to cit up all
night and take care ola newborn
world while you lie in bed and
reckon not" s.s
L get NO salary for examining
the trackless void night after
night when ] ought to be IN bed.
I sacrifice my health in order that.
the public may know, at once, Of
a red hot comet, fresh. from the
factory.s,And yet, what thanks
do / getslih,taodf o. .eis'zlrt