1 6 LIGHT SCIENCE FOR LEISURE HOURS. 



of nature has ever yet been unveiled without disclosing 

 what is yet more mysterious. Copernicus revealed the 

 secret of the solar system, to leave undetected the 

 laws which harmonise the planetary motions. It was 

 Kepler's boast that he had revealed these laws, but he 

 left men to admire without understanding their per- 

 fection and harmony. Then Newton upraised the veil 

 and disclosed to our admiration the noble law of gravi- 

 tation which sways all systems through the universe. 

 But we have more now to perplex us, more to reveal to 

 us the insignificance of our powers, more to make us 

 recognise an infinitely wise Creator, than had the 

 simple Chaldsean shepherds, who 



Watched from the centres of their sleeping flocks 

 Those radiant Mercuries, that seemed to move, 

 Carrying through aether, in perpetual round, 

 Decrees and resolutions of the gods. 



If our higher knowledge of the mysteries of nature 

 should lead us to recognise less clearly the author of 

 those mysteries, it would have been better to have 

 never gained that higher knowledge. Our words and 

 works should be worthy of our new light. 



Let knowledge grow from more to more, 

 But more of reverence in us dwell ; 

 That mind and soul according well, 



May make one music as before, 



But vaster. We are fools and slight ; 

 We mock Thee when we do not fear : 

 But help thy foolish ones to bear 



Help thy vain worlds to bear thy light. 



The next great eclipse is that of July 28, 1851, 

 which was visible in Sweden ; the other is the eclipse 



