ASTRONOMY AND METEOROLOGY. 317 



character with that of the sun, and that the sun, if viewed at a distance 

 equal to that of the stars, would undoubtedly appear no otherwise than 

 as one of them; and since no more direct proof can be obtained, we 

 are willing to receive these as sufficient. But this point once ad- 

 mitted, it is evidently consistent with all analogy to proceed a step 

 further, and to suppose that these other suns, or at least the insulated 

 ones, uiav be, as our own, the centres of light and heat and gravity, 



v i_2 ^J / 7 



and electrical and chemical influences to groups of surrounding worlds. 

 The idea is a magnificent one, and in full accordance with every other 

 declaration of the glory of God in the heavens, and it would be no 

 matter of surprise at any time if observation were to give us direct 

 evidence of its truth. Nor would it necessarily follow that the highest 

 class of instruments would be required for the detection of these plane- 

 tary systems, though so wonderfully remote in the depths of space. 

 Analogy may point the way in many cases where it ought not to in- 

 terpose a check, and the diminutive size of our planets in comparison 

 with their ruler affords no adequate inference that in other systems a 

 very different arrangement may not obtain. And thus, although 

 planets no larger than our own might ever remain invisible at the 

 distance of the fixed stars, it is not merely possible, but may be even 

 probable, that bodies of a similar nature may be connected with other 

 suns, of sufficient magnitude to be visible with our instruments, es- 

 pecially in their modern state of improvement. The idea was thrown 

 out by Sir J. Herschel, many years ago, that certain very minute 

 points, closely associated with larger stars, may be visible by reflected 

 or planetary light ; and he specified among others, i Ursaa Majoris, y 

 Hydras, K- Geminorum, and the comites of a~ Cancri and a Capricor- 

 ni ; but it does not appear that these suspicions have been verified, or 

 that the matter has been subsequently investigated, notwithstanding 

 its obvious interest and importance. 



The subject, however, has been brought afresh before us by M. 

 Goldschmidt's recent assertion that with an object-glass of little more 

 than four inches aperture, he has not merely perceived Alvan Clark's 

 companion of Sirius, which has hitherto been supposed to be reserved 

 for the largest and most perfect instruments, but has detected five ad- 

 ditional companions of the same character, at somewhat greater dis- 

 tances, varying from 15" to 1' ; and, in announcing this discovery, he 

 suggests an inquiry as to whether the object discovered by A. Clark 

 may shine by native or reflected light, which may of course be ex- 

 tended to the rest. It seems remarkable that the colossal telescopes 

 of Clark, Bond, Lassell, and Chacornac, in which the nearest of these 

 alleged attendants has been perceived, should have given no indication, 

 as far as has hitherto been stated, of the other five ; but M. Gold- 

 schmidt is so distinguished as an observer, that not a shadow of a sus- 

 picion can be attached either to his eye or his judgment. It is, how- 

 ever, possible that some source of deception may exist in his instru- 

 ment, such as appears to have given rise to the supposed satellite of 

 Venus in the last century. We shall soon, at any rate, know more 

 about it. Should the existence of these minute points be established, 

 the most natural supposition, of course, will be, that Sirius is acciden- 

 tally projected on a background of small stars at an incalculably 

 greater distance ; and this idea would not be negatived by any appar- 

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