in order, of the second magnitude; and so on to the sixth magnitude, which comprises those very small stars that are just perceptible to the naked eye.

Here and there in the heavens there are stars that appear so near each other as to form clusters or groups. Such groups are called constellations. The astronomers of

ancient times fancied that the outline of the stars composing each cluster had a resemblance to some animal or other object; and the figures that you see on a celestial globe are intended to represent the constellations.

The constellation of the Great Bear, which is one of the most conspicuous, is seen in the northern heavens. It contains many stars, but seven of them are especially bright, and their arrangement suggests the form of a plough. On this account the group is commonly called the Plough. It has also the name of Charles's Wain, from its fancied resemblance to a farmer's wain or waggon. The two stars that form the back of the supposed waggon are called the pointers, because they point to the Pole Star.

Looking towards the south on a clear night, you see stars rising in the east and others setting in the west. The whole heavens, in fact, appear to be moving from cast to west. This motion, however, is only apparent: it is caused by the earth turning from west to east round a line or axis, which we may conceive to be drawn from the earth's centre onwards to the Pole Star.

We have many familiar examples of such apparent motion. For instance, when we are travelling by railway, the posts near the line seem to rush past in a direction opposite to that in which we are going, while the carriage in which we sit does not appear to have any progressive motion at all. The posts, of course, do not really move; their motion is only apparent. In the same way, as the

earth spins round from west to east, we, who are living on its surface, and are unconscious of its motion, are apt to think that the sun by day and the starry heavens by night are turning in the opposite direction-from east to west. But this is not the case; and when we say that the sun and stars rise and set, we are speaking of their apparent, and not of their real motion.

Most of the stars that we see retain always the same distance from each other. These are called Fixed Stars. There are some, however, that move among the constella

tions, and are therefore called Planets-that is, wanderers. All the planets revolve in elliptical paths or orbits round the sun, from which they receive their heat and light.

The fixed stars, on the contrary, shine by their own light, and, like our sun, give heat and light to unseen worlds that revolve round them. Besides the fixed stars and planets, there are other bodies, called Comets, which sometimes make their appearance in the heavens, and which generally have luminous trains or tails of great length.

The sun, planets, and comets form the Solar System. The primary planets are eight in number, and are named, in the order of their distance from the sun, Mercury, Venus, the Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune. Besides these, a great many small planets, or asteroids, are known to exist between Mars and Jupiter. Uranus is only faintly visible to the naked eye, and Neptune cannot be seen without a telescope. The most brilliant of the planets is Venus, which is sometimes called the Morning Star and sometimes the Evening Star, according to the time when it is visible.

Several of the planets have moons or satellites which revolve round them. Jupiter has four; Saturn, eight; Uranus, six; and Neptune, one: but these cannot be observed without a powerful telescope. Our moon completes a revolution round the earth in a little more than twenty-seven days.

The

The earth revolves on its axis once in every twenty-four hours. This motion is 'the cause of day and night. It is day to us when our side of the globe is turned towards the sun, and night when it is turned away from it. earth also travels round the sun once each year; and it is to this motion that we owe the changes of the seasonsSpring, Summer, Autumn, and Winter.

Tel'escope-an instrument employed in viewing distant objects. The invention of this noble instrument is commonly ascribed to Galile'o, an Italian philosopher, born at Pisa, in Tuscany, in 1564.

Celestial globe-a sphere or globe, on the convex surface of which is
drawn a map or representation of the starry heavens.
Charles's Wain-the cluster of seven stars commonly called the
Plough, which forms part of the constellation of the Great Bear.
The name is properly the churl's (i.e., the farmer's) wain.

QUESTIONS.

What appearance have the heavens on a clear night? Are the stars so small as they look? Why do they seem so small? How many stars are visible at once to the naked eye? What stars are said to be of the first magnitude? and of the sixth? What is a constellation? How were the constellations represented by the ancient astronomers? Why? Name a conspicuous constellation. Where is it seen? Why are the seven bright stars in it called the Plough? Why are they called Charles's Wain? In what direction do the heavens appear to move? Do they move? Explain their apparent motion.

Give a familiar example of apparent motion. What are the Fixed Stars? What are Planets? Why are they so called? What are Comets? What is meant by the Solar System? Name the eight primary planets. Which is nearest the sun? Which is most distant? What other names has Venus? What are satellites? How many satellites has the Earth? Jupiter? Saturn? Uranus? Neptune? How long does the moon take to revolve round the earth? What is the cause of day and and night? of the seasons? What is a telescope? Who invented this instrument?

Spell words formed by adding al to-form, nature, avow, acquit, nation, bury, try, deny, arrive, dispose, revive, memory.

DICTATION.

The heavens are studded with stars. Have you studied your lesson? The moon will soon begin to wane. The wain was loaded with hay. You cannot, of course, succeed without a trial. This shameless avowal shows his coarse nature. What is the size of the earth's satellite? He sighs when he thinks of home. What is the cause of his grief? The rook caws on the high elm.

[THE stars might seem to be eternal. Lights that shone brilliantly in former days have been quenched in the course of time. The lamp of Vesta, the altar-flames on the Persian hills, even the miraculous fire that consumed the sacrifice in the Jewish temple, have disappeared; but the stars still shine with all their ancient splendour. Still, as of old, they look down upon the earth. They shine upon ruined cities once great and powerful; and their beams gild alike the peaceful cottage home and the path of the victorious warrior. The ancient nations, who consulted the stars to ascertain their fortune, have passed away; but the stars themselves are shining still, alike on town and desert. How much crime and sadness have they seen! From year to year the record of the world's wickedness is becoming darker and darker; and these sleepless witnesses seem waiting in silence for the coming judgment. But though they have witnessed many a scene of crime and of sorrow since our first parents were driven from Eden, they tell of hope and glory for man in the future, when the righteous shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and as the stars for ever and ever.]

WHENCE are your glorious goings-forth,
Ye children of the sky,

In whose bright silence seems the power
Of all eternity?

For Time hath let his shadows fall

O'er many an ancient light;

But ye walk above in the brightness still-
O glorious Stars of Night!

The vestal lamp in Roman fane

Hath faded long ago;

On Persia's hills the worshipped flame
Hath lost its ancient glow;

And long the heaven-sent fire is gone,
With Salem's temple bright;

But ye watch o'er wandering Israel still-
O changeless Stars of Night!

Long have ye looked upon the earth,

O'er vale and mountain-brow:

Ye saw the ancient cities rise

Ye gild their ruins now.