Meteorology of Whitehaven. 35 



as y Virginis and g Ursse Majoris, did not shew any symp- 

 toms of duplicity ; in fact, they were mere patches of diffused light, 

 resembling single stars greatly out of focus, or imperfectly-seen ir- 

 resolvable nebulosities, or masses of fine white wool. An unusual 

 number of cloudy nights obtained in the generally clear month of 

 October, and November and December, from their excessive wet- 

 ness, militated even more strongly than did January and February 

 against the labours of the astronomer. 



On the few clear evenings in November and December, the pla- 

 net Saturn presented a superb telescopic object, with his multiple 

 rings, (now nearly at their greatest breadth) his belts, shadows, and 

 numerous satellites. The newly discovered transparent (and conse- 

 quently fluid or gaseous) inner dark ring was permanently and 

 steadily seen where it crosses the ball, even in the twilight, and in 

 full moonlight, and, on rare occasions, the nebulosity was also per- 

 ceptible at the Ansce, in the dark space between the inner bright ring 

 and the ball. On some evenings, the five old satellites, 



Japetus, Titan, Rhea, Dione, Tethys, 



were all visible at one time in the field of the equatorial telescope 

 at this Observatory ; and the instrument being moved by a sidereal 

 clock, enables the observer leisurely to examine the details of the 

 truly beautiful celestial picture presented to his view. Perhaps no 

 one ever gazed upon this magnificent orb for the first time, through 

 a telescope of great power, without uttering a cry of admiration. 

 And, surely, strange must be the constitution of that mind, and great 

 the obliquity of. the intellect, which could behold and study a scene so 

 marvellously grand and unique in the Universe, without being forcibly 

 struck with the evidence of design, and with the wonderful adaptation 

 of means to ends therein displayed, — without feeling impressed with a 

 deeper sense of the inconceivable vastness of the Divine attributes 

 manifested in the creation, and ever active, ever patent to the men- 

 tal and moral perception of man, in the sustentation and preservation 

 of this, and countless other and doubtless still more majestic and stu- 

 pendous globes dispersed through the unfathomable immensities of 

 space.* 



The Observatory, Whitehaven, 

 March 3d, 1853. 



* This paper has l>een extended to an unusual length, the writer having en- 

 deavoured to make it sufficiently comprehensive, to serve as a permanent record 

 of the Climate of England, during one of the most remarkable years in the cur- 

 rent century. 



C2 



