slow is the motion of this planet, it has performed only one entire revolution round the heavens, and its inhabitants, if such there be, have completed one Uranian year. Herschel thought his new planet was attended with six moons, but owing to the unfavourable position of Uranus for telescopic observation during many years, this number has been sometimes thought by succeeding astronomers to have been exaggerated.

Before quitting Gemini, a few words are necessary concerning the double star Castor. A century ago, Dr. Bradley, at Greenwich, observed Castor, and the position of the small star accompanying it; but he had then no idea of the wonderful phenomenon of one star revolving round another. But succeeding astronomers, with better telescopes, have observed a change of place in the position of the two stars, which forces on us the inevitable conclusion that the small star revolves round Castor -the bright star seen by the naked eye-in the long period of 250 years. This is only one of a large class of celestial wonders which fill the mind with devout feelings of admiration at the exquisite skill of the great Creator.

The next zodiacal sign is Cancer, containing, according to Flamsteed, eighty-three stars, of small magnitude, few of which are visible to the naked eye. There is, however, in this constellation, a rich cluster of stars called Præsepe, or the Beehive, which forms a beautiful object in a

Fig. 2.-The Beehive. small telescope. Fig. 2 is a telescopic view of this cluster, in which some of the smaller stars are omitted. So rich is this neighbourhood in small

Fig. 4. Berenice's Hair. Part of Leo. constellation Virgo, the principal star of which is called Spica, from the ear of corn in the hand of the female figure supposed to be formed by the configuration of stars. Fig. 5 represents Virgo, and the star to the left is Spica. When the sun enters this sign, we have the autumnal equinox, or equal day and night. Imme

diately above Virgo is Berenice's Hair, and still further east, but at a low elevation, is the constellation Bootes. If the observer now attentively examines Ursa Major, and notices the three stars not composing the square, he will see they point to Arcturus, the principal star in Bootes. It will be also remarked that the Great Bear is in a more vertical situation than it was a few weeks since. In this change of place we

Fig. 5.-Part of Virgo,

have an illustration of the manner in which the entire firmament appears to revolve round the Pole-star during the twenty-four hours, while from the onward march of the sun in its path other constellations, which at one time of the year are hid by the brilliancy of the solar rays, successively make their appearance, and as successively sink into the west. Fig. 6 represents Bootes. The star

Fig. 6.-Bootes,

marked a is Arcturus, and that marked is called Mirach, a very fine double star, which is a remarkable object in a good telescope, from the contrast of colours of the large star and its attendant. This small star is believed to perform a revolution round Bootes in 980 years. The writer of this article on two occasions saw these brilliant gems, with other double stars, in the

magnificent 12-feet telescope, with an object-glass more than 9 inches diameter, near Euston Square, London. Fig. 7 shows e Bootes as viewed in this telescope with three powers-that to the left with 250, in the middle with 450, and on the right with 750. On the night of October 5, 1858, Arcturus was en

Fig. 7.-The Double Star, Epsilon Bootes, veloped in the tail of Donati's comet, and yet the star was distinctly seen through the nebulous matter forming the comet's tail. In fig. 6 the five stars to the left belong to Corona Borealis, or the Northern Crown, in which there are several fine double stars.

The planet Saturn rises shortly after midnight during this month. This planet, with its rings, is an object of sufficient interest to engage the attention of those who admire the wisdom of the Divine Architect in the arrangement of the orbs of heaven. Next month, when this planet will rise at an earlier hour, the phenomenon of the rings will be entered upon at greater length. In the meantime, we invite every reader of these lines to notice the successive changes of position of the planet Mars during this month and the rest of the year. In the diagram given in February, the planet was situated below Castor and Pollux, to the right. At the close of last year it was immediately under Pollux, so that the two stars with Mars formed a straight line. It may be naturally asked, how are these changes of position to be explained? The cause is twofold-the movement of the planet itself, and also the motion of the earth. All the planets situated farther from the sun than the earth, when in "opposition" (when they rise when the sun sets, on which occasion they are at their nearest distance to the earth), appear to move backward among the stars for a short time. There is more in this subject than at first sight appears. Let us sketch the outline in a few

words. A spectator on the earth now sees Mars in the constellation Gemini. But the planet really forms no part of this group of stars, for it is separated from the earth by the space of 50,000,000 miles, while between Mars and Gemini there intervenes an almost fathomless abyss. Viewed from the earth, these immense distances are unnoticed, and thus the planet appears to us moving in the constellation Gemini, as though it formed a part of it. Now while Mars is moving in its orbit the earth is advancing more rapidly, and, as may be readily illustrated by two bodies moving in the same direction at unequal rates-say, two trains on a railway-the planet must appear at times to stand still, and even to move backward among the stars. Fig. 8 will illustrate this retrograde motion of the planets. The dotted T O H

circle E A B represents the earth's orbit; M that of Mars; the dotted circle Tо H is a portion of the zodiac. While the earth is at B, Mars will be seen in a different place in the heavens than when it arrives at A; and while the earth is travelling from A to E, it is evident Mars will appear to move backward. As the earth advances to the point opposite A (not shown in the diagram), Mars will appear to move more rapidly from right to left in the diagram, or west to east in the heavens. On the 21st of June it will have advanced as far as Regulus, and proceed onwards through Virgo and Libra, followed by the sun, and will be finally eclipsed in the solar rays at the commencement of next year. Its motion being now direct, the time that elapses from one "opposition" to the sun to its next recurrence is two years and two

months. The motion of this planet through the zodiac may profitably engage the attention of any person not theoretically acquainted with astronomy, as it is a most certain proof of the earth's annual revolution. Similar phenomena occur with the planets Jupiter and Saturn, but from their slower motion the changes of place are not so striking as those of Mars. The planets Mercury and Venus appear to move backward and forward in their attendance on the sun, but are never seen at any great distance from that luminary. Venus attained its greatest elongation from the sun on the 20th of February, when its telescopic appearance was similar to the moon when in the last quarter. To see Venus during this month, the observer must look before sunrise in the south-east, when its superior lustre will easily attract notice. The moon passes near Venus on the 1st of April, Mercury on the 3rd, Uranus on the 10th, Mars on the 11th, and Saturn on the 20th. We hope shortly to enter into details respecting the appearance of our own satellite as seen in ordinary telescopes. E. W. B. London.

A BIRD'S-EYE VIEW OF
PASSING EVENTS.

THERE has been no small amount of agitation in the political atmosphere of our country since the opening of the Parliamentary session on the 5th of February. We don't meddle much with secular politics, as we have more important work to engage our attention; yet we feel it a duty to watch the course of events, and observe the movements of Providence even in this department. The question of Parliamentary reform is at present evidently in the ascendant, and in somewhat peremptory and imperative tones asks for a settlement; and almost all parties appear wishful for the subject to be disposed of without further delay. Whether, however, the most ample extension of the suffrage would realize the national improvements desired, is very questionable. With the example of America and the history of democratic Greece before us, it would be

unwise to expect much of our world's good to result from secular politics. The Gospel is God's remedy for every evil, whether political, social, or personal, and there can be no effectual substitute.

The Ritualistic controversy continues with unabated ardour. We see much time was occupied in its consideration in the recent session of Convocation, and we would fain hope that the decision arrived at may prove the turning-point in the dispute. But while we say this, our confidence is not by any means strong. The bishops passed a resolution to the effect of advising that no change be made in the mode of worship without consultation with the bishop of the diocese; and this resolution was adopted by the lower House, but only by a narrow majority, and after considerable discussion, during which several amendments were offered. The value of this resolution time will test. A recommendation was adopted by both houses-but not by the lower House until after a large amount of discussion had taken place to the effect that the Primate should issue an invitation to all Anglican bishops scattered through the British dominions to attend a general council of the English communion. What will be done by this formidable and brilliant gathering of Anglican bishops, should it take place, we shall certainly feel curious to see.

THE SPIRIT OF POPERY UNCHANGED.-Some people tell us that the spirit of Roman Catholicism has undergone a marked transformation; that it has been divested of its old persecuting propensity, and become mild and tolerant; and we have long thought that many of our legislators must have been influenced by this opinion, judging from their speeches and votes in Parliament, and the concessions which have been made to the Papacy. A greater delusion, and one more dangerous, there never

was.

What Popery has been she is now. It is true that we Protestants, in this old England of ours, are not now in fear of the rack, or the inquisitorial dungeon, or the faggot-pile; but it is only because the Papacy

lacks the power to exercise her wonted and loved vocation. We have not the slightest doubt that she would like to do it, but she cannot. In our last month's article we noticed the persecution of the Rev. Mr. Lewis, by order of the Pope, at Rome; and since then we have had a beautiful illustration and exemplification (if we may be allowed to use a little irony) of the genuine spirit of Roman Catholicism in our own country. The Rev. Mr. Murphy, who is connected with and represents the Protestant Electoral Union, was announced to deliver a course of lectures against Popery, in the town of Wolverhampton. No sooner was the announcement made than the elements of a gathering storm became manifest, and on Mr. Murphy attempting to deliver his first lecture, the Roman Catholics, who had mustered in large numbers, proceeded to acts of violence; property was destroyed, several persons were injured, and what the consequences might have been but for the measures adopted by the town authorities, it is impossible to say. The first lecture could not be delivered, so serious was the disturbance; and night after night had the lecturer, his friends and supporters, his audiences, which were very large, and the hall in which the lectures were given, to be protected by a large body of police, special constables, volunteers, and military, against thousands upon thousands of the infuriated adherents of the Papacy. Alas for the Protestants of Wolverhampton had it not been for the strong arm of the law! The spirit of Popery changed indeed! Will those who say so refer to the occurrences at Wolverhampton in proof? The question is not as to the expediency of such lectures as those of Mr. Murphy. So long as he keeps within the strict bounds of the law, he has the right to deliver his lectures if he thinks proper, is clearly entitled to the protection of the law in doing so. But the conduct of the Roman Catholics was most disgraceful, and worthy of universal execration. It shows, as with a sunbeam, what is the true spirit of Popery. We have observed

and

that the authorities of other towns have adopted measures to prevent Mr. Murphy from giving his lectures, from a fear that disturbances would arise similar to those which took place at Wolverhampton. And yet these are the people to whom our legislature has given boon after boon, and made concession after concession, and still seems disposed to do so. We believe this policy to be a totally mistaken one, and the sooner it is abandoned the safer and better will it be for the nation. The Popish religion cannot bear the light, and its votaries are fully conscious of this, and its spirit is essentially intolerant, persecuting, and fiendish. How unlike the pure, simple, gentle religion of Jesus! Thank God, that we do not live under Popish rule. Woe be to our country if the Papacy ever again gains the ascendancy. Let Englishmen beware.

AND

THE WORKING CLASSES RELIGION. A vast deal has been said by the periodical press about the conference which took place in London some weeks ago, between ministers of religion of various denominations, and working men, and similar meetings which have since been held in several provincial towns, with a view of ascertaining the causes of the alienation of the working classes to so large an extent from the house of God and religion. We must be permitted to express a doubt as to the wisdom and utility of these meetings. In our judgment, the results are not satisfactory. We are inclined to think the whole thing is a mistake. Whilst we thus speak, however, we give full credit to the promoters of the meeting for the purity and goodness of their motives. With most of the reasons assigned by the working men for their non-attendance at religious services, we can have little sympathy. That they were stated with sufficient candour and frankness must be admitted; but some of them were very absurd and and utterly groundless, and others exceedingly puerile. The admirable replies of Newman Hall, Canon Miller, and Mr. M'Cree, a City missionary, at the London meeting, must, we

should think, have convinced the objectors that they had fallen into the hands of men fully competent to deal with their statements, and to meet all they had to say. There was one very noticeable feature at this meeting. There was considerable disagreement among the speakers who professed to represent the working classes. They not unfrequently contradicted each other, and differed widely in their views. They could not all be right. Which of them, then, are we to believe? We are of opinion that far more is due to causes that were not once named at the meeting, than to the reasons there adduced, for the opposition and indifference which prevail, especially among the labouring classes, but also to no inconsiderable extent among other classes, with respect to the all-important subject of religion. We believe that infidel teaching, the large circulation of unsound, irreligious, debasing, and demoralising publications, and the means so abundantly provided for the encouragement of intemperance and the gratification of appetites and propensities which undermine and destroy all religious feeling, have had much to do with the production of the present state of things. The grave importance of the subject cannot be exaggerated, and to its consideration the serious and earnest attention of Christians, and especially of Christian ministers, may well be directed. But we think little will be done by such meetings as those to which reference has been made. all who profess the Christian name, ministers and people, were endeavour to live more holily, to exemplify more unmistakably and eminently the beauty and loveliness of religion, to exhibit less worldly conformity, to be more prayerful, more devoted, more zealous, more liberal; and if Christian agencies were multiplied as extensively and worked as vigorously as they might be and ought to be, we should soon see a wondrous change among the masses of our population. If we had a more exemplary and active piety, and more importunate and believing prayer, we should have more of the Q

If

to