The times., 1898-06-05

that compose the group of the Scorpion.
Perhaps these far-distant diamond points
may be treated TO a more distinct view
of this grand planet than we are permit
ted to have. If so. they have a treat
which should make us envy them. For,
while Venus is IN comparison like ball
about an inch in diameter, Uranus is like
a large orange in size, and would add i'm
mensely to our gallery of beautiful twink
lers If We could but have ii one-quarter
that size. There is nothing to help US
this month in finding the exact where
abouts of the planet. as everything that
could serve as guide TO locate him is all
too 1ar away.
Saturn having finished being in oppo-
sitiOn, will become an evening star. Just
at present we have him in all his glory
coming above the horizon as the sun dis
appears and presenting himself where we
can best observe him. From now on he
dWtndles a bit in size, and will not seem
as brilliant. and so we shall not have
very many more occasions this year in
which Saturn will play a principal part.
Even could we under ordinary circum-
stances have a view of the planet named
in honor of the god who reigns supreme
on the ocean, we should not at this pc
riod Of his journey be permitted to have
a look 3t him. for he is just about in con-
junction with the sun. When he emerges
on the other side he Will be one of the
morning stars. Some five days after this
event the waning crescent of the moon
encounters Neptune a few hours before
its light is eXtinguished and the relief
watch brought by the new moon is called
to take its place. Four days later there
is meeting between Mercury and Nep-
tune. but we now know how little of in
terest such events have to US when neith-
er actor can be seen.
Mars IS Jogging long as an early
morning star toward the position of quad
nature, which he will reach some time in
/ October While comparatively insignifi-
cant to US just at present there is so
much of the latent contained in this ruddy
disk that our interest will not flag until
we can get him in such favorable posi-
ton and Of such size to tell us more about
the wonderful things he contains.
Mercury at present is just beginning to
feel the pull on the string by which he is
/ tethered to the sun. and having reached
the furthest western point of his swing
he is now on his journey back He will
reach the point of conjunction on the
30th. and, passing to the eastern side Of
the sun, viii then become an evening star
again. Variety being the spice of life. if
there be anything alive on this jumping
Jack of the brotherhood. certainly large
quantity OF spice must fall to its share
as the planet is forever swinging about
first on one side of the sun, and then, af-
ter showing his face for a few DAYS
away he goes back again TO the opposite
extreme, to again be seen of men for a
day or two only.
Venus is now fully established in our
heart as well our vision for we are
! permitted to have a real good look at her
before she sinks out of sight in the west
ern horizon. As her beautiful face draws
down toward the line beyond which there
is no hope of seeing her until the next
evening. the following lines suggest
themselves.
Yonder in the moonlight
Where Gods Acre lies
Go angels walking to and fro
Singing their luliabes.
Beautiful though she now is. we are to
have her larger and more brilliant as the
season grows. Only, alasi her time after
the sun disappears is not more than two
hours and three-quarters.
Jupiter. the doughty hero of the even
/ ing. so long in supreme control without
/ rival is now almost half way on to-
ward the goal that all heavenly bodies
/ aim for-conjunction with the sun When
/ at that point they seem to get renewed
/ light and brilliancy, so that when they
/ once again emerge from the all-powerful
/ rays that have temporarily engulfed them
4 they shine with greater power than they
/ apparently had when last seen on their
! journey toward the sun.