106 THE HARVEST M«ON. 



ended, the moon prolongs the light, to the great benefit of 

 those who are engaged in gathering in the fruits of the 

 earth ; and hence the full moon at this season is called the 

 harvest moon. It is believed that this was observed by per- 

 sons engaged in agriculture, at a much earlier period than 

 it was noticed by astronomers. The phenomenon may be 

 easily explained by the assistance of a globe : and it is oc- 

 casioned by the moon's orbit lying sometimes more oblique 

 to the horizon than at others. 



The Harvest Moon. 

 All hail ! thou lovely queen of night, 

 Bright empress of the starry sky 1 

 The meekness of thy silvery light 



Beams gladness on the gazer's eye, 

 While from thy peerless throne on high 



Thou shinest bright as cloudless noon, 

 And bidd'st the shades of darkness fly 



Before thy glory — Harvest moon ! 

 In the deep stillness of the night, 

 When weary labour is at rest. 

 How lovely is the scene ! — how bright 



The wood — the lawn — the mountain's breast, 

 When thou fair moon of Harvest ! hast 



Thy radiant glory all unfurled. 

 And sweetly smilest in the west, 



Far down upon the silent world. 

 Shine on, fair orb of light ! and smile 



Till autumn months have passed away, 

 And labour hath forgot the toil 



He bore in summer's sultry ray ; 

 And when the reapers end the day. 



Tired with the burning heat of noon, 

 They '11 come with spirits light and gay. 

 And bless thee — lovely Harvest Moon ! 



W. Millar. 

 Questions. — 1. In what time does the moon revolve round the 

 earth ? 2. At what distance is it from the earth ? 3. In what time 

 does it turn on its axis? 4. What is said of the illumination of the 

 moon ? 5. How does the earth appear as seen from the moon ? 6. 

 How does the face of the moon appear when, viewed through a 

 telescope ? 7, What is the Harvest Moon ? 8. By what is it occa« 

 sioned ? — 9. Look at fig. 41, and illustrate the phases of the moon. 



