THE GREAT NEBULA IN ORION. 89 



great mirror. Although the observation was not suc- 

 cessful so far as the resolution of the nebula was con- 

 cerned, yet Nichol's graphic account of the telescope's 

 performance is well worth reading : 



4 Strongly attracted in youth by the lofty conceptions 

 of Herschel [he writes], I may be apt to surround the 

 incident I have to narrate with feelings in so far of a 

 personal origin and interest : but, unless I greatly 

 deceive myself, there are few who would view it other- 

 wise than I. With an anxiety natural and profound, 

 the scientific world watched the examination of Orion 

 by the six-feet mirror; for the result had either to 

 confirm Herschel's hypothesis, in so far as human 

 insight ever could confirm it ; or unfold among the 

 stellar groups a variety of constitution not indicated 

 by those in the neighbourhood of our galaxy. Although 

 Lord Eosse warned me that the circumstances of the 

 moment would not permit me to regard the decision 

 then given as absolutely final, I went in breathless 

 interest to the inspection. Not yet the veriest trace of 

 a star ! Unintelligible as ever, there the nebula lay ; 

 but how gorgeous its brighter parts ! How countless 

 those streamers branching from it on every side ! How 

 strange, especially that large horn on the north, rising 

 in relief from the black skies like a vast cumulous cloud ! 

 It was thus still possible that the nebula was irresolv- 

 able by human art ; and so doubt remained. Why the 

 concurrence of every favourable condition is requisite for 

 success in such inquiries may be readily comprehended. 

 The object in view is to discern, singly, sparkling 



