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some idea of the delicacy and beauty of spectrum analysis and also to 

 shew you how large a field is open for investigation. I do not pretend 

 that I have been al)le to shew you anything that is new, nor do I lay claim 

 to any wonderful discoveries of my own. All I hoped to be able to do 

 Avas to put before you, in simple language, a description of the Spectro- 

 scope and its use, and if possible to increase the army of enthusiastic 

 workers with this wonderful instrument. The method of Spectroscopic 

 investigation is not many years old, and yet it has been the means of dis- 

 covering four new elements, and of explaining many phenomena before 

 inexplicable. It has carried us as it were, to the very verge of our system, 

 and even iDeyond it, enabling us to speak confidently of the constitution 

 of our gi'eat solar luminary, to trace the disturbances that are occurring 

 upon its surface ; it has afforded us an insight into the nature of those 

 vast orbs whose magnitude is only equalled by their distance from us, has 

 even told us which way and how fast they are moving, and has in fact 

 thrown more light upon the constitution of the universe, than even 

 Galileo's great invention, the telescope. What would Newton have given 

 for its aid, and who shall tell what discoveries it has yet in store for us 1 

 It wants only patient and careful investigators, and if my remarks induce 

 one such to devote himself to the work, I shall feel amply repaid for the 

 little trouble I have taken. 



E. Bailey, Machine Peintee, Cockeemouth and Kesvick. 



