Lesson xv.J FIXED STARS, 8cc. 71 



the Pointers, because they always point very 

 nearly to the polar star. 



Those of the fixed stars which are nearest to us 

 seem largest, and are therefore said to be of the 

 first magnitude ; those of the second magnitude, 

 being at a greater distance, seem lessj and thus 

 they proceed by regular gradations unto the 

 sixth magnitude, which includes all the rest of the 

 fixed stars that are visible without a telescope. 

 With regard to their number, a common observer 

 might be led to suppose that even to the unas- 

 sisted eye they are innumerable : but this arises 

 from their being observed in a confused manner : 

 for it may be proved, that when they are divided 

 into proper classes, and reckoned up, those in the 

 visible hemisphere,seen without a telescope, amount 

 not to many more than a thousand. 



Since the introduction of telescopes into astro- 

 nomical observations, the number of fixed stars 

 has been very justly considered as immense ; for, 

 to the greater perfection our glasses are carried,, 

 the more stars we discover. The astonishingly 

 immense distance of the fixed stars from one ano- 

 ther, and from the earth we inhabit, is one of the 

 most proper considerations for elevating our ideas 

 of the works of GOD. Astronomers have com- 

 puted from indubitable principles, that the distance 

 of Sirius or the Dog Star (which is the nearest fixed 

 star) from us, is considerably more than two mil- 

 lions of millions of miles ! A distance almost in- 

 conceivable ! A cannon-ball flying from thence 



at 



