104 THE HAMILTON ASSOCIATION. 
Neison’s theory of the moon, in the main, is similar to that 
made popular by Mr. Proctor. They contend: the primary substance 
of both earth and moon was the same, and the forces by which both 
were fashioned to what they now are must be analogous in nature if 
not in intensity. And further, as the earth has thirteen and a-half 
times more surface than the moon, and eighty-one times greater 
mass, the moon will run through a series of physical changes com- 
mon to both, proportionately sooner than the earth, or in about 
one-sixth of the time. 
There are few sights more impressive than a telescopic view of 
the moon. The deep stillness reigning alike over crater, plain and 
mountain is almost appalling, till one considers that this busy earth, 
at the same distance, would seem to be as still. Opportunity to 
behold the glory of the heavens, revealed by a great telescope, is 
given to but a few. Still, who that has once watched, through but 
ever so small a glass, the peaks of some crater or mountain of the 
moon slowly emerge from the gloom of lunar night till they stand 
revealed in sparkling sunlight, intensified and made more glorious by 
the cool, dark grey lunar shadows, can ever forget the sight ? 
But lunar studies have higher aims than to measure and name 
every grey spot on the moon’s face, or to watch the flight of lunar 
gloom before the radiance of the advancing sun. To the best 
student of lunar phenomenz, maps and measurements are but 
scaffolding to the building, means to higher ends. Such an enquirer 
is not stung by the satire of gruff old Butler, who lashed the dilletanti 
philosophers of his day for longing to know : 
“* Whether the moon be sea or land 
“*Or charcoal, or a quenched firebrand, 
“* Or if the dark holes that appear 
“* Be only pores, not cities there.” 
How successfully these and kindred studies have already com- 
passed such higher ends by aiding the progress of civilization, and 
by furnishing a clue to a higher conception of the universe; and 
how the humblest sincere student may always find in their pursuit 
unsullied intellectual gratification, may the latest section of our 
Association, the Hamilton Astronomical Society, abundantly succeed 
in making known. 
