of the variable Star in Sobieski's Shield. 153 
multitudes do really exist, clusters of them, by being collected 
together as in the milky-way, must intercept all more distant 
rays, and if free from any intervening lights, they would ap- 
pear as dark spaces in the heavens, similar to what has been 
observed in the Southern Hemisphere. That so few of these 
obscure places are perceived, may be attributed to their being 
obliterated by the presence either of some scattered stars, or 
of other slight luminous appearances. 
I have thus fully investigated the nature of this distant sun, 
a single one among many millions, and scarcely perceptible 
to the sight, yet of no less importance than our own grand 
luminary. But ours is still supplied abundantly with resplen- 
dent particles, while Sobieski’s variable star has them most 
sparingly dispersed over its sphere : a scantiness that apparently 
must occasion to its surrounding planets, constant vicissitudes 
of uncertain darkness, and repletion of light and heat. How 
far more enviable seems our situation ! I mean that which 
we enjoy at present ; there being strong reasons to believe, 
that the sun's luminous appearance has been at times consi- 
derably diminished ; and I have little hesitation in conceiving 
that it may also be reduced at some future period to small 
patches, and then the apparent irregularities of its periodical 
rotations, which at present are only perceived by the obser- 
vations of trifling dark spots, would become evidently conspi- 
cuous, particularly when seen at a distance as remote as the 
variable stars are from us. But such conjectural flights of 
fancy cannot too soon be dropt. I therefore shall conclude 
with observing, that these inquiries on the alterations of light 
of the stars have been so little discussed, that it is to be hoped 
they will not be discontinued ; and although I have already 
MDCCCV. X 
