Fast falling from its glass, the sand Doth mete thy moments as they flow; And lengthening shades-when o'er the land The sun is low. And when fron ocean's verge remote Thy noiseless march. Thou dost with every ebbing year Bid hopes, and joys, and smiles depart; Thou, too, dost dry the mourner's tear, And hush his heart. Or rudely crossed, or wildly blest, Thy stream, Lethean, cold and calm, Till e'en the loved ones, wont to share Astronomical Occurrences In DECEMBER 1829. SOLAR PHENOMENA. THE Sun enters Capricorn at 19 m. after 1 in the morning of the 22d of this month; and he also rises and sets as in the following TABLE Of the Sun's Rising and Setting for every fifth Day. December 1st, Sun rises 56 m. after 7, sets 4 m. after 4 One of the most familiar uses of the equation of time is that of finding mean time from apparent, by employing the numbers as directed in the following TABLE Of the Equation of Time for every fifth Day. m. S. Tuesday, December 1st, from the time by the dial sub. 10 43 First Quarter.. 3d day, at 33 m. after 6 in the evening ........38 ....... 1 in the afternoon Last Quarter...18th.... 4..... 6 in the morning New Moon....26th.. .36... 3 M m Moon's Passage over the Meridian. The following transits of the Moon will afford opportunities of observation this month, should the state of the atmosphere be favourable at the time: viz. December 1st, at 25 m. past 4 in the afternoon 18 9 ...... 8th 34......10 PHENOMENA PLANETARUM. Phases of Venus. ̈· The following is the proportion of these phases at the commencement of this month: viz. December 1stDark part...... = 4-61285 Eclipses of Jupiter's Satellites. Jupiter is now too near the Sun to admit of any of these eclipses being visible. Conjunction of the Moon with the Planets and Stars. December 9th, with y in Taurus ... at 1. in the afternoon 9th.. 1&28...Taurus ..... 2 9th ........Taurus ............. 7. in the evening 18th .... 22d .... Jupiter will be in conjunction at half past 2 in the afternoon of the 18th of this month. Mercury will also be in his superior conjunction at a quarter past 1 in the morning of the 25th; and Venus will attain her greatest elongation on the 26th. Having now traced the revolution of the Sun through the.circle of the heavens, or rather the Earth through its annual orbit, a few remarks on the varied appearances that have been presented to our view will not be inappropriate. It is, chiefly, this revolution which gives that diversified aspect to the starry firmament which the different periods of the year exhibit. It is this, also, which varies the declination of the Sun-raises and depresses him in the heavens,which changes his apparent situation with respect to the inhabitants of this globe, and produces that diversity in the seasons which so powerfully displays the wisdom, power, and goodness of HIM by whose word they are, and were created! We have seen the Sun gradually ascending through the signs of Capricorn, Aquarius, and Pisces, amidst the pelting storms and piercing cold of WINTER; yet in the midst of the deepest gloom which this season presents, there are still sufficient manifestations of infinite goodness to excite the best feelings of a grateful heart. Nor does it require long experience, or much reflection, to perceive that Nature, though partially exhausted and apparently lifeless, is still proceeding with silent but ceaseless energy in accelerating the return of spring, bursting forth in renovated beauty, and enabling us to enjoy the luxuries and pleasures of milder seasons. At last Aries presents his gentle form, and is followed by Taurus and Gemini: SPRING soon appears in full beauty, and is welcomed by the chorus of the grove. An aspect of cheerfulness is every where apparent-verdure expands, blossoms appear, and beauty tinges the landscape. But in other regions the sober tints of autumn are dropping into the lap of winter, and inducing sentient beings to anticipate their period of gloom. The Sun's ceaseless progress now changes the youthful loveliness of spring for the more mature charms of SUMMER: he pursues his course through the signs of Cancer, Leo, and Virgo; the blossoms of the one season are succeeded by the fruits of the other—anticipation is turned to possession-and the joyous abundance of summer gives place to the still riper bounties of AUTUMN. Nature then wears an appearance of more substantial grandeur-the Sun sheds beams of a milder radiance A serener blue, With golden light enlivened, wide invests And oft we feel a calm—a pleasing calm.? Creation, on every hand, is adorned with some precious proof of Jehovah's bounty. Here are the well-stocked gardens and orchards, laden with the richest fruits-there are luxurious meadows, 'white with flocks,' and vallies covered with abundant harvests Rich, ardent, deep they stand; for not a gale Scenes so tranquil, so innocent, so beautifully diversified as these, have a tendency to exhilarate the mind, and inspire it with sentiments of solemn and elevated gratitude. We recognize the God of Nature in his works; our thoughts rise and soar from earth to heaven, and dwell with transport there. The brightest earthly glories, while they fascinate the eye, and rouse all the powers of the imagination, do not claim our undivided regard; for we know that there are objects more sublime, more glorious, and which alone are capable of filling the heart that exults in the consciousness of immortality.—Spirit and Manners of the Age. We shall conclude our annual labours with the following stanzas; and may our young readers not only be preserved from every harm,' but guided to every good, by a mental view of that star which once caused the Wise Men of the East to rejoice with exceeding great joy!' |