120 THE HAMILTON ASSOCIATION. 
THE PLANET VENUS. 
Read before the Astronomical Section of the Hamilton Sctentific 
Association, April 26th, 1904. 
BY J. jn EVED. 
You will remember that on a former occasion our President 
explained to you the difficulty he at times experienced in finding 
speakers and subjects for our meetings, and the method he adopted 
to induce certain gentlemen to read a paper on some astronomical 
subject. In my case, one of the arguments he used was that the 
date would be set about three months hence, and although I cannot 
say that distance lent enchantment in this case, yet, considering his 
readiness at all times to assist the members of this Society by the 
use of his instruments and works on astronomy, I found there was 
no way out of the difficulty, and against my better judgment con- 
sented to be responsible for this evening, and this must be my 
apology for appearing before you to discuss a subject requiring a 
more thorough knowledge than I claim to possess. 
Most men feel the awkwardness of the situation when called 
upon at some little social event to respond on behalf of the ladies. 
Judge, then, of my feelings when it dawned on me that the subject 
assigned was nothing less than the Goddess of Love herself, and 
while I am free to confess that the pursuit of information in respect 
of this beautiful subject has been enjoyable and beneficial, for this 
reason: to form an acquaintance with Venus one has often to rise 
early on a winter morning, and then receive a cold reception for the 
pains : 
‘““For morning rises stormy and pale, 
No sun, but a wanish light,”— 
yet, if one perseveres, he will be favored with her presence, 
when he may study the different phases of her character. When she 
beams upon you in all her loveliness, introduces you to her glorious 
