CAMPBELL'S PLEASURES OF HOPE. 



terrestrial arc z o will therefore represent the radius of the 

 circle round the observer, which will be seen visible to him. In 

 short, it will represent his terrestrial horizon, which the poet 

 in the lines quoted assumes to be half the globe. By calculating 

 the arc z o, the degree of exaggeration in the poetical illusion will 

 be rendered apparent. 



The height of the peak of Aconcagua, reduced to geographical 

 miles, is 3* 935. The length, A z, of the earth's semi-diameter, 

 also expressed in geographical miles, is 3438, and, consequently, 

 of the line A T will be 3438 + 3-935 = 3441-935. Let the ter- 

 restrial arc z o be expressed by A, we shall then have 



A z 3438000 



COS. A = = 



A T 3441935 

 To compute the value of A, we shall have, therefore 



Log. 3438000 = 6.5363059 

 Log. 3441935 = 6-5368021 



Log. Cos. A = 9-9995038 

 A = 2 44' 18" = 164-3 miles. 



It appears, therefore, that the range of view round such an 

 observer would be confined within a radius of 164 geographical 

 miles, whereas " half the world," supposing it to be spread out in 

 a circle under the eye of the observer, would be measured by a 

 radius of 90 X 60, or 5400 miles, so that half the world would be 

 measured by a radius more than thirty-two times that which 

 would actually limit the view of Campbell's " giant of the western 

 star." We admit, however, that the task is rather an ungracious 

 one, which consists in thus cutting down the splendid imagery of 

 Campbell's poetry to the level of the severe limits of scientific 

 truth, and if we do so, it is more /or the sake of exercising our 

 readers in physical enquiry, and habituating them to mathema- 

 tical precision, than with any intention of depreciating poetic 

 beauties of which we are as sensible as others. 



17. Xo notion is more prevalent, respecting the insect economv, 

 nor more frequently embodied in the imagery of poets and in the 

 eloquence of moralists, than the industry and foresight imputed 

 to the ant : 



"Tell me, why the ant, 



'Midst summer's plenty, thinks of winter's want, 

 By constant joiirnies careful to prepare 

 Her stores, and, bringing home the corny ear, 



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