64 



announced the approach of the moon. The eclipse had 

 begun. Eapidly advancing, the moon seemed to hold the 

 sun with iron grasp and to consume its light, the weaker 

 victorious over the stronger. The effect upon the earth, 

 scarcely perceptible till the sun w^as half hidden, from 

 that time grew rapidly more apparent. Darkness seemed 

 approaching, heralded not by the soothing twilight of the 

 restful night but by a cheerless gloom. A sense of awe 

 filled the soul. Men, with countenances changed to an 

 ashen hue, spoke in whispers. The crescent of light 

 became smaller and smaller, and soon the swift shadow 

 was seen sweeping over the lofty mountains. The thin 

 crescent faded away, and the dark moon was seen sur- 

 rounded by a crown of unequalled glory, to whose beauty 

 the stars bore silent witness. It lingered for awhile — 

 and was gone. For a sudden burst of li2:ht marked the 

 returning day. It seemed as if the Creator had once 

 more spoken the words "Let there be light," for there 

 was light. The rapid shadow sped away in its flight. 

 The moon hastened to undo the work it had so recently 

 wrought. The sun regained its power, the stronger vic- 

 torious over the weaker. Nature once more assumed her 

 wonted aspect. The eclipse was over. 



[The remainder of the lecture was illustrated by a 

 series of lantern views projected upon the screen by Mr. 

 Leonard Waldo of Cambridge. First were given views 

 of the recent eclipse as it appeared to the naked eye and 

 as seen through telescopes by difierent observers.] 



It is singular that the corona should appear so differ- 

 ently to different observers, even if they are at the same 

 station and view it under similar conditions. But since 

 this is an evident fact, it is natural to suppose that a more 

 accurate representation of the corona may be obtained by 

 photography. But there are several difficulties to be 



