The Universalist. [volume] (Chicago [Ill.]) 1884-1897, 1896-05-09


private means and had promised to
conduct the Observatory for ten years,
without compensation, relying upon
his salary as instructor for his support
Just then the college building was
burned to the ground, and he was
without support. 1t was then re-
solved to 60 up and down the land,
delivering the eloquent lectures,
which were afterward published in
the book called planetary and
Stellar Worlds" His theme was es-
pecially 'the structure OF the uni
verse, so far as reveale by the mind
of man."
Among the interesting descriptions
given is one concerning the planet
Neptune, where Prof. Mitchell says
son learning that LIE Verrier had
communicated to the Academy OF
Science. in August, 1916, his final re-
suit, 1 wrote Immediately, request
ing the computed place of his planet,
with such directions as could best
ouide me in search which | desired
to make for it with the great reflect
ing telescope of the Cincinnati OBJ
seryatory. But before my letter
reached its destination the planet
had been found, and the news OF its
discovery soon reached the United
States. It was almost impossible for
me to credit the statement, and l
was almost disposed to believe that
the prediction of the planets posi-
t;on had been mistaken for its actual
discovery. With these conflicting
doubts / waited for the coming OF
night with degree OF anxiety ana
excitement which may be readily
imagined. 1 had no star chart to
guide me in my search for the planet
had no meridian instrument with
which to detect it by its motion, but
was not without hope that the pow
er of our great telescope might be
sufficient to select, at once, the plan
ct from among the fixed stars, by
the magnitude of its disc.
GAS soon as the twilight disap-
peared, the instrument was directed
to the point in the heavens where
the planet had been found. took
nv place at the finder, or small tele-
scope attached to the larger one, and
nv assistant was seated at the great
instrument.
"On placing my eye to the Under
four stars of the eighth magnitude
occupied its field. One of these was
brought into the field OF the large
telescope and critically examined by
nv assistant and rejected. A second
etar was in like manner examined and
rejected. A third star, rather small
Ter and whittier than either OF the
others. was now brought to center OF
the field of the great telescope, when
NV assistant exclaimed, there it IS!
there is the planet! with disc as
round, bright and beautiful as that
of Jupiterl There, indeed, was the
nlanet. throwing its light back to us
from the enormous distance OF more
than 5000, 100000 of miles and yet SO
clear and distinct, that in few min
utes, its diameter was measured ana
It's magnitude computed" This
narration gives us an idea of the en-
tbusiasm of the astronomer when
new planets are discovered, and
when he comes thus to comprehend
more fully the Scriptural assertion
that God notes every star that gems
the midnight heavens and "calleth
them all by their names"
"The heavens declare the glory OF
Gcd," and how exquisitely one who'
born a poet, and called to be
preacher, has uttered our thoughts
for usl These are the words of Rev,
DR.. Edwin H. Chaplin:
"The stars are bea -tiful, many and deep
Are the wonderful mysteries that they keeps
Through the outspread space they shine and
roll
like solemn thoughts DER prophets soul.
They follow Orion, banded and strong,
OR to tunefu Lyra march along;
Or. motIonless, shine from their silent towers,
OR wait at the gate of the morning hours.
They CLEAN on the mariners watch al night.
And braid the sea with threads of light
And they shine on the bower ano the lattice
dim,
And the fearful vision that looks for him.
Be they signs of fate, or world unknown,
Or lamps on the pathways of angels strown,
They speak of peace to the heart-strings
crushed;
Faith looks to them and its doubts are hushed.
They glide and they shine. to the spirits eye,
AS things untarnished and bright and high;
And It yearneth and hopeth with them to soar,
When it looks through these ieshly bars no
more.
Professor Mitchell scared with the
stars in spirit. He was Christian
/ know not of what denomination