136 VARIABLE STARS IN SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE, 



variable stars. Observations of such objects have been too few 

 and disconnected to admit of our forming any satisfactory 

 hypothesis. My object is to draw attention to this department of 

 Astronomy, in order, if possible, to induce some to follow it up more 

 systematically in this hemisphere. I trust my humble efforts 

 may succeed. Searching for variable stars and observing them, 

 may appear a useless labour to the minds of some persons ; but 

 we must remember that in the history of Astronomy many re- 

 searches, which at the outset appeared to be fraught with no 

 great result, eventually contributed much to the advancement of 

 the science. Let us contemplate the grand fact, that within the 

 past seventeen years 68 planets have been discovered between 

 the orbits of Mars and Jupiter. Or again, let us consider what 

 delicate instruments of inquiry comets have become. The cele- 

 brated periodical comet of Encke has not only informed us of the 

 extreme probability of a resisting medium in the interplanetary 

 spaces, but has also afforded us the means of determining with 

 unprecedented accuracy, the mass of the planet Mercury. And 

 great results may be predicted for the branch of science we have 

 been treating of. The inquirer, in any department of the science, 

 must not be discouraged in his efforts because he cannot see 

 grand results looming in the future. The experience of Astrono- 

 mers for ages past he must make his own, and it will teach him 

 to press onward to the invisible goal. Faith, in fact, must be an 

 ingredient in the intellectual constitution of the scientific man, 

 as it is in the spiritual constitution of the religious man. It is 

 sufficient that observers work zealously and intelligently in any 

 field that may be open to them ; or, rather, in those fields for 

 which they are respectively peculiarly fitted, and the future will 

 be certain to bring forth some not only interesting, but valuable 

 result. A high authority has said " In all labour there is profit." 

 Let this, then, be the motto of the observer, and if he adhere to 

 it he need not despair of .eventual success. 



