The weekly register. [volume] (Point Pleasant, Va. [W. Va.]) 1862-1909, 1885-05-20
BnlNye studies siars.

+ DulNye otuuleo ottlfH.
We are told tha, there has been
no perceptible growth or decay 10
The star business since man began
10 roam around through space, In
his mind, and make figures on tue
thebarn door with red chalk, show.
ing the celestial time table.
No serious accidents have occur.
ed in the starry heaven since l be.
gan to observe aud study their
habits. Not a star has waxed, not
a star has waned to my knowledge.
Not a planet has season. n.cracked or
shown any Of the injurious effects
of our rigorous climate. Not aslar
has ripened prematurely or fallen
Of the trees. The yarnish on the
very oldest stars | find on close
and critical examination to be
in splendid condition. They will
Jail no doubt wear as long as we
need them, and wink on long after
We have ceased To wink back.
10 1865 there appeared suddenly
in the northern crown a star Of
about the third magnitude and
worth at least $3.50. 1t was gen.
orally conceded by astronomers that
this was q brand new star that
had never been used, but upon
consulting Argelandsr's star cata.
logue and price list il was found
that this was not new star at all,
but an old faded out star Of the
ninth magnitude, with the front
bread:hS turned wrong side out
and trimmed with moonlight along
the seams.
After a few days Of phenomenal
brightness it gently ceased to draw
a salary us a star Of the third mag.
nitude and walked home with an
"Uncle Toms Cabin" company.
Then, again, you take a certain
style of star, which you learn from
Prot. Simon NewcOmb is at such a
distance thatit takes $4,000 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 exam.
lining the spring catalogue and
price list | decide that one of the
smaller size will do me and | buy
it. How do / know that it was
there when | bought it2 It's cold
and silent rays may have ceased
$4,000 years befure | was born and
the intelligence be still on the way.
There istoo much margin between
sale and delivery. Every now aud
then another astronomer comes To
; me and says professor, l have dis.
covered another new star and in.
tend 10 file it. Found il last night
about a mile and a half south ol
the zenith running loose. Haven't
heard Of anybody who has lost a
star Of the fifteenth magnitude,
about thirteen hands high, with
light name and tail, have youP"
Now, how do l know that he has
) discovered q brand new starr How
can l discover whether he is or
not playing an old, threadbare star
on me for q new oneY
1t is surprising that every little
while ! contemplate withdrawing
from scientific research to 60 and
skin an eightmule team down
through the dim vista Of relentless
years.
There is much in the great field
: Of astronomy that is discouraging tc
the savant who hasn't the time moi
} means to rummage around through
the heavens. Al times l an
almost hopeless, and feel like say.
. ing TO the great yearnful, hungry
world: "Grcpe on forever. d.
not ask me for another scientific
fact. Find it out yourself Hum
up your own new.laid planets, anc
let me have a rest. Never ask me
again to cit up all night and take
! care ola newborn world while you
) lie in bed and reck not"
Iget no salary for examing The
: trackless void night after nigh
when l ought to be in bed. 1 sac
D rifice my health in order that The
public may know, at once, Of The
l presence Of a redhot comet, frest
: from the factory. And yet, wha,
thanks do get2
There is said to have been dis
covered a kind Of tobacco which, Il