FIXED STARS. [Lesson xv. 



at the rate of 400 miles in an hour, would not 

 reach us in 570,000 years. 



The stars being at such great distances from the* 

 sun, cannot possibly receive from him so strong 

 a light as they shine with: hence, on mature re* 

 flection, it will appear that they shine with their 

 own native lustre, in like manner with the sun ; 

 and since each star is confined to a particular por- 

 tion of space, we must reasonably conclude that 

 each fixed star is in reality a sun *. 



It is not at ail probable that the ALMIGHTY, 

 whose actions all evince infinite wisdom j and who 

 does nothing in vain, should create so many glo- 

 rious suns for no other purpose than to add to our 

 pleasure, and give us an additional glimmering 

 of light. Those who are so fond of arrogating 

 Divine favours to themselves have but a mean opi- 

 nion of Infinite Wisdom : since, by a considerably 



" That stars arc suns will scarcely admit of a doubt. 

 Their immense distance would perfectly exclude them from 

 our view, if the light they sent us were not of the solar kind. 

 Besides the analogy may be traced much farther. The sun 

 turns on its axis ; so does the star Algol ; so do the stars called 

 $ Lyra-, S Cephet, ij Antinoi, -e Ccti, and many more; most 

 probably all. From what other catise can we so probably 

 account for their periodical changes ? Again, our fun has 

 spots on its surface ; so has the star Algol: and- so have the 

 stars already named; and probably every star iu the heavens. 

 On our sun those spots are changeable ; so they are on the 

 star o Ceti ; as evidently appears from the irregularity of its 

 changeable lustre, which is often broken in upon by acciden- 

 tal changes, while the general period continues unaltered. 

 The same little deviations have been observed in other pe- 

 riodical stars, and ought to be ascribed to the same cause." 



HERSCHEL. 



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