subject and has endeavoured to lead the minds of his readers to the contemplation of the attributes and the agency of that Almighty Being, by whom the vast system of universal nature was at first brought into existence, and by whose superintending care it is incessantly conducted in all its move ments. The subject of a plurality of worlds has been resumed, and additional arguments, both from reason and revelation, have been brought forward so as to exhibit this position, not merely as conjectural or highly probable, but as susceptible of moral demonstration. For the gratification of amateur observers possessed of telescopes, particular descriptions have been given of the positions of some of the more remarkable phenomena in the sidereal heavens, that they may be induced to contemplate them with their own eyes. For a similar reason, the author has described the various aspects of the heavens throughout the year, and the positions of the planets for 1840 and 1841. As the subject of comets was unavoidably omitted in the preceding volume, the author has condensed, in the concluding chapter, the greater part of the facts which have been ascertained respecting the nature, phenomena, and influence of those anomalous bodies. It was originally intended, had the limits of the present volume permitted, to direct the attention of the student to other objects related to the scenery of the heavens, and to the construction and application of some of those instruments which are devoted to celestial observations. Should the work now published meet with a favourable reception, the author intends, in a smaller volume than the present, to elucidate some of the subjects to which he alludes, especially the following: the construction and use of optical instruments, particularly the reflecting and achromatic telescope, and the equatorial. As the author has performed a great variety of experiments in relation to such instruments, he hopes to have it in his power to suggest some new and useful hints in reference to their construction and improvement. The doctrine of eclipses and occultations; the precession of the equinoxes, &c.; the construction of observatories, and the manner of using astronomical instruments; the desiderata in astronomy, and the means by which the progress of the science may be promoted; the practical utility, physical and moral, of astronomical studies; their connexion with religion, and the views they unfold of the attributes and the empire of the Creator, with several other correlative topics, will likewise be the subject of consideration. The whole to be illustrated with appropriate engravings, many of which will be original. Broughty Ferry, near Dundee, & CONTENTS. Imperfect Knowledge of the Sidereal Heavens.-Discoveries by A GENERAL VIEW OF THE STARRY HEAVENS, WITH REPRE- SENTATIONS OF DETACHED PORTIONS OF THE FIRMAMENT. Splendid and august Appearance of the Heavens.-Sentiments and Emotions they produce.-Inquiries suggested by a Con- templation of the Wonders they unfold.-Appearance of the Stars and Constellations about the middle of January.-Delin. eation of certain Stars and Constellations at that time visi- ble.-Representations of certain Portions of the Heavens in the beginning of September.-View and Description of the ON THE ARRANGEMENT OF THE STARS INTO CONSTELLATIONS, WITH SKETCHES OF THEIR MYTHOLOGICAL HISTORY. Invention of the Zodiac.-Mode in which it was divided by the Ancients.-Origin of the Names by which its Signs are dis- tinguished.-List of the Constellations, with the number of Stars in each. Arrangement of the Stars into different Mag- ON THE PROPRIETY OF ADOPTING A MORE NATURAL ARRANGE- MENT AND DELINEATION OF THE STARRY GROUPS. Introductory Remarks.-Reason why the present Nomenclature on which a new Arrangement should be formed.-Improve- ments which might be adopted in the mean time in Celestial ON THE DISTANCES OF THE STARS. Measures of Distance.-Annual Parallax.-Mode of investiga- 52-71 Difficulty of ascertaining the real and apparent Magnitude of the Stars.-Supposed Magnitude of some Stars.-Certainty that their real Magnitudes are very great.-Popular Illustra- New Star discovered by Hipparchus.-Particular Description of the new Star which appeared in 1572.-Delineation of its Position.-Description of the new Star of 1604, and of several others.-Mysterious Nature of these Bodies.-Opinions which have been formed respecting them.-Futility of some of these Opinions. Such Bodies not annihilated.-Probable Cause of Descriptions of the Periods and Phenomena of some of these |