134 LIGHT SCIENCE FOR LEISURE HOURS. 



eminent astronomers in Europe,' he remarks, ' it appears 

 that the new star, which I had the honour of pointing 

 out to them in March 1781, is a primary planet of our 

 solar system. A body so nearly related to us by its 

 similar condition and situation in the unbounded ex- 

 panse of the starry heavens, must often be the subject 

 of the conversation, not only of astronomers, but of 

 every lover of science in general. This consideration, 

 then, makes it necessary to give it a name, whereby it 

 may be distinguished from the rest of the planets and 

 fixed stars. In the fabulous ages of ancient times, the 

 appellations of Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and 

 Saturn, were given to the planets, as being their princi- 

 pal heroes and divinities. In the present more philo- 

 sophical era, it would be hardly allowable to have 

 recourse to the same method, and call on Juno, Pallas, 

 Apollo, or Minerva, for a name to our new planet. 

 The first consideration in any particular event or re- 

 markable incident seems to be its chronology ; if, in 

 any future age it should be asked when this last-found 

 planet was discovered, it would be very satisfactory to 

 say, " In the reign of George III." As a philosopher, 

 then, the name of Greorgium Sidus presents itself to me 

 as an appellation which will conveniently convey the 

 information of the time and country where and when 

 it was brought to view. But as a subject of the best 

 of kings, who is the liberal protector of every art and 

 science ; as a native of the country from whence this 

 illustrious family was called to the British throne ; as 

 a member of that society which flourishes by the dis- 



