The Three Heavens

Resemblance of her condition to Mercury-apparent physical re-
semblance to the earth-difficulty of observation of-supposed satellite
of Venus-her brilliancy-probable cause of-improbability of a moon

-magnitude of Venus-similarity to the earth in her seasons, days, and

years-probable atmosphere-twilight in Venus-inclination of her

axis-calculations of Mr. Proctor-Mathieu Williams-on the climate

of Venus-a transit of Venus-her atmosphere-markings on her

surface seen by Italian astronomers--their reports not confirmed here—

superiority of their climate for observation-Cassini, Baudin, and De

Vico-Blanchini-continents and seas on Venus-bluntness of the

Southern Horn-probability of mountains-beauty and glory of Venus

-the bright and morning star

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199

MARS.

Mars-a superior planet-favourable time for seeing-Mars in

opposition-explanation of his orbit-great change of magnitude and

appearance-difference of distance from the earth-illustration of his

orbit-eccentricity of physical aspect-best known of all the planets

-length of a journey to Mars-wonders of--telescopic power-interest

of observation of him-comparison with the moon-amount of solar

light and heat in Mars-bis mass and density-comparative effect of

with the earth's-his years and seasons-climate-days-question of a

moon to Mars-his red colour-and cause of-telescopic survey of

Mars-resemblance to the earth-his land and seas-polar ice and

snow-Proctor's chart of Mars-Dawes, Nasmyth, and Phillips—

drawings of it-Browning's models and stereoscopes of—its features—

cloudless atmospheres-difficulty of obtaining a clear view-moving

processes of nature seen there-annual melting of snow at the poles--

registered observations of—smaller movements-breaking up of ice

fields-rising from his oceans of mists-forming dusky clouds-

remarkable observations of Dawes and Lockyer-discoveries of the

spectroscope-identity of the Martial atmosphere with ours-demon-

strated by Huggins-strange interest of the scenery of Mars-specula-

tions on its habitability and inhabitants—imaginary evening arrival

at Mars-speculations and realities concerning it-configuration of its

surface-apparent proportion of land and water-Mathieu Williams'

theory (1) of the Martial atmosphere—(2) of the proportion of land and

Professor Phillips'

agreement with telescopic observation ·

chart-Proctor's theory of glacier erosion at the poles-gigantic

avalanches-toppling over of huge iceberg mountains-Nasmyth's polar

ice cliffs-Professor Mitchell's seas-observation of movements-laying

out of sea and land in Mars-colour of its oceans—probable seat of

life

water

210

JUPITER.

Jupiter the sovereign of our planetary family-his vast distance

and magnitude-mass and density proportionally lighter than the

earth-the earth but a speck in comparison-appearance of the sun to

the inhabitants of Jupiter—solar light and heat received by him--ap-

parent obstacles to his habitability-Professor Tyndall's theory of

heating atmospheres-brilliancy of Jupiter and his satellites—supposed

cause of-theory of Proctor and Williams-is Jupiter a minor sun—a

fluid state-reflective power of his atmosphere-conditions of a planet's

brightness-wondrous cloud-surface of Jupiter-his belts-changes

and colour of Proctor and Williams' arguments for a fluid condition

of Jupiter-Herschel's theory of his belts-the terrestrial trade winds

-cause of analogy with Jupiter-belts-their changing colours-

violent commotion of his atmosphere-no proof of his being a minor

sun-changes of colour and agitation of our own atmosphere—similarity

to those of Jupiter-depth of his atmosphere-Professor Leitch's

opinion-arguments of Proctor and Williams from his specific gravity

-Jupiter's mass and density-the lightness of his substance-supposed

inconsistence with solidity- want of evidence in distant bodies-variety

of solid substances in nature-different specific gravity-power of the

potter-our ignorance-no evidence-Jupiter not necessarily a mass,

or red hot-not an immatured planet-Messrs. Proctor's and Williams'

theory-not probable-separate functions of suns and planets—Jupiter

lighted by his satellites-proofs from design-compensatory lighting-

moons-proofs from-functions of Jupiter's moons-analogy with our

Moon-all moons indicators of ocean tides-illuminators of planetary

nights-his satellites as four fingers-four voices-four lamps-number

of moons proportioned to his magnitude and distance-conditions of

his habitability-different from ours-shortness of his days and nights

—-seasons-vast magnitude—a possible paradise

PAGE

235

SATURN.

Saturn-in the telescope-his ring system-first impressions of-
another giant globe-its vast distance-its magnitude-his ring and
train of satellites-the most wonderful object in the heavens-Saturn a
system of worlds-inferior in size to Jupiter-the lightest of all the
planets—his specific gravity compared to cork-his year—supposed
light and heat from the sun's orbit—inclination of-probable condition
as an inhabited world-two-fold results of Mr. Proctor's planetary
hypothesis as applied to Saturn-supposed boundary of Saturn-con-
dition to that of Jupiter-Saturn as at present—a fluid or incandescent
globe-its improbability-its astronomical condition ignored by its
physical condition-Mr. Proctor's refutation of the argument from
design in Saturn-its vindication-spectacle of the ring-speculations
upon its nature-different views of astronomers-Mr. Herschell's
opinion of them-Mr. Maxwell's-American astronomers-probable
design of it-Dr. Lardner's theory-Mr. Proctor's-difference of

opinion as to its effects-supposed eclipses by the rings-guess work-

speculating on its nature-distance an insuperable obstacle-the

general scheme alone evident-remarkable apparent change of figure

in Saturn-the square-shouldered distortion of its globe-Mr. Proctor's

conclusion from it-no positive proof of its fluid nature-explanation

of-curious phenomena at the transit of Jupiter's second satellite-

explanation of not confirmative of Mr. Proctor's theory-a sensitive

retina-occultation of Jupiter by the Moon-no collapse of the planet

necessary-Proctor's analysis of Saturn—probabilities against Saturn's

fluid condition-its probable beauty and glory as a habitation for in-

telligent beings-farewell to Saturn-onward

PAGE

270

URANUS AND NEPTUNE.

Telescopic planets-their distance from the sun-small amount of

light and heat received from them-heat from the stars-power of solar

gravity-Herschel's discovery of Uranus-magnitude and importance—

supposed mass and density—its habitability-ignorance of its physical

condition-inclination of axis-retrograde motion-Neptune-another

giant planet-its volume-immense length of year--supposed climate

-discovery by Adams and Le Verrier-extraordinary coincidence-

simultaneous testimony-design of-importance of a probable con-

firmation of the solar system-atomic materialism

291

THE ASTEROIDS, OR MINOR PLANETS AND METEORS.

Their situation in the solar system-their great number-their

nature-their discovery-classification with meteoric stars-their

diminutive size-theory of Dr. Olbers respecting them-Sir David

Brewster's not fragments of a broken planet-simultaneous mathe-

matical disproof-by Adams-by Sir W. Hamilton-remarkable inter-

section of their orbits-D'Arrest's statement-speculations respecting

their habitability—what are they—their probable extension to the sun

-their extent and number unknown-their classification with solid

meteors—the matter of space-smaller meteors—their diffusion through

space their precarious existence-collision with larger bodies-their

use-Mr. Proctor's theory-difference from aerolites-descent of a large

one in Canada

THE MOON.

Her physical history a mystery-her present condition-her birth—
Addison's poetic description-the earth's story of observation of-
provoking nature of-difficulty of conclusion respecting lunar scenery

298

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