A4 THE HAMILTON ASSOCIATION. 
great event in the history of astronomy. ‘These things now 
seem so simple to us that I fear we cannot appreciate the tri- 
umphant ecstasy of the bold prophet who first dared to fix a 
date for such an occurrence and witness the fulfilment of his 
prediction. There was in the city the busy hum of trade and 
pleasure antl gossip. Some had heard that a madcap had said 
that the sun would disappear that day and none believed or 
heeded. Such an event had never occured in their day and 
there were no records in the hands of the people to show that 
any such thing had ever happened. ‘The predictor watched 
with intense anxiety from some lofty eminence. Presently 
the sun grew dim and men looked up to see if clouds were 
gathering. In a few moments more all saw that some 
mighty demon was devouring the King of Day. A little later 
all was darkness. A wail of horror rent the air. Thou- 
sands on their knees cried for mercy. Some died from very 
fright. The joy of the anxious watcher on the hill tops knew 
no bounds when he saw that his prediction had been verified. 
Here-was as proud a victory as genius ever won. It was a rey- 
elation to men of the greatness of their race, and of the great 
things of which the human intellect was capable. Here was 
a victory at once over the mysteries of nature, over human 
ignorance, superstition and terror. 
There were two errors held by men through long ages 
that were barriers in the way of progress, because they were 
wrong, and because they were so religiously and persistently 
held. ‘The first-of these was that the earth was the centre of 
all these movements above and about it. Certainly, if appear- 
ances counted for anything there was much to be said in its 
favor. Everybody could see the sun and moon rise and set. 
Yea even the stars also, but whoever saw, or felt, or heard the 
earth move? Were not all these rolling orbs and spheres 
created and set in motion for no other purpose than to serve 
the earth and her noble race? Was not this planet a very 
Joseph to whom the sun, moon and stars were to make 
obeisance? We do not wonder that such a conceit should 
fight hard to live; it was so flattering to the pride of man. 
