symmetrical and graceful. They are beyond the reach of the unaided eye. But with the telescope turned in a certain direction, we may see a mere sploch of curious light, presenting a Nebula without form, and apparantly void;—with the telescope in another direction, we will see them beginning to assume regularity of outline, with marks of aggregation and condensation, as though they were in process of formation, and these several shapes were merely the nebulous stuff in different stages of growth. Some have the graceful convolutions of the smoke curl,— some are spiral,—some are rent in pieces as though they were curdling into more dense aggregations of matter; these leave black rents in the sky, through which stars are often seen to peep out from the darkness apparently at an immense distance beyond. Following them on, we trace them up into the circular form, with marks of condensation about the centre; then comes the globular appearance, with a decided nucleus; and finally, we come across the perfectly formed star, surrounded with a thin haze of nebulous matter, as though it had not yet all been quite condensed into the shining substance of the star.

The oldest observation upon these wonderful objects is of too recent a date to tell us anything as to their changes and growth, if growth they have.

The Catalogue contemplates accurate drawings of the Nebulae and the leaving by this means to posterity, the clue to that knowledge, with regard to this class of objects, which we ourselves would be so glad to have.

Under the space penetrating powers of the telescope many of these objects are resolved into stars. Among the clusters are to be seen at one view and in a single spot not larger than Ahab's Cloud, aggregations of stars, far exceeding in number all that the unaided eye of man ever beheld in the azure vault above.

God" by his spirit hath garnished the heavens." But it is not until one of these gorgeous clusters is seen through the telescope, that one can feel in its full force the prophet's saying-"The host of Heaven cannot be numbered."

"Canst thou bind the sweet influences of the Pleiades ?"

It may be that catalogues and the telescope have enabled us to see, though darkly, the scope of the Almighty question.

By means of catalogues, it has been discovered that the stars in a certain quarter of the heavens are getting optically closer and closer together, while those in an opposite quarter, are apparently separating from each other and getting wider apart, precisely in the same way as though we were receding from the one set and approaching the other.

This, therefore, suggested the idea, that our system itself might be moving in obedience to the influences of some vast center of revolution in the remote regions of space. And it has recently been shown, with such verisimilitude as to throw the onus of proof upon those who deny the conclusion:-that the sun with its splendid retinue of planets, satellites and comets is in motion about a center inconceivably remote; that though we are moving about it at the rate of many millions of miles in a year, the period is so immense, the distance from the center to the circumference of the orbit so great, as to require myriads and myriads of ages to complete a revolution. And that center is in the direction of the star Alcyon, ONE OF THE PLEIADES. Who, therefore, can "bind those sweet influences," which guide the sun and moon and earth through the trackless regions of space, and hold them so they fall not?

To me the simple passage through the Transit instrument of a star across the meridian is the height of astronomical sublimity. At the dead hour of the night, when the world is hushed in sleep and all is still; when there is not a sound to be heard save the dead beat escapement of the clock, counting with hollow voice the footsteps of time in his ceaseless round, I turn to the Ephemeris and find there, by calculation made years ago, that when that clock tells a certain hour, a star which I never saw will be in the field of the telescope for a moment, flit through and then disappear. The instrument is set ;-the moment approaches and is intently awaited ;-I look ;-the star mute with eloquence that gathers sublimity from the silence of the night, comes smiling and dancing into the field, and at the instant pre

dicted, even to the fraction of a second, it makes its transit and is gone! With emotions too deep for the organs of speech, the heart swells out with unutterable anthems; we then see that there is harmony in the heavens above; and though we cannot hear, we feel "the music of the spheres."

The time is recorded and the declination being determined, the star is entered in the Catalogue, there to stand as a record forever of its magnitude and position for that day and hour. Thus for every star, a point will be given from which in time to come, Astronomers may reckon its motions.

When the sky is clear, there is every night, and all night long, an eye at every telescope in the observatory, working for this Catalogue; and that no star shall escape us, the part of the heavens that is gone over to-night, is re-explored to-morrow night by fresh observers with different instruments. Thus every star is to be seen at least twice, by two observers, and on two occasions; so that in time to come, it may be said by astrono mers, such a star was in the heavens at the date of the Washington Catalogue, because it is in that work; but it has since disappeared, because it is not now in the heavens; or, such a star which is now visible was not so at the date of the Washington Catalogue, because it is not in that work.

Already, as the result of the first year's work, about 15,000 stars have been observed for the Catalogue; most of which are

new.

Should this work be carried on and completed according to the original plan, the time may come when facts connected with the history of it will not be altogether without interest. Here is an official order in relation to it.

“Navy Department, March 6тн, 1846.

Sir,-Desirous that the numerous and able corps employed at the National Observatory, at Washington, may produce results important to maratime science, and to the Navy, I approve your course in making the series of Astronomical Observations, more immediately necessary for the preparation of a Nautical Almanac.

The country expects, also, that the Observatory will make adequate contributions to Astronomical science. The most celebrated European Catalogues of the Stars, "Bessel's Zone Observations" and "Struve's Dorpat Catalogue" of double stars, having extended to only fifteen degrees South of the Equator, and the Washington Observatory, by its geographical position, commanding a zone of fifteen degrees further South; and being provided with all instruments requisite for extending these catalogues, you are hereby authorized and directed to enter upon the observation of the heavens commencing at the lowest parallel of South Declination, which you may find practicable. You will embrace in your Catalogue all stars even of the smallest magnitude which your instruments can accurately observe. You will, when convenient, make duplicate observations of stars for each Catalogue; and, when time permits, you will determine with precision, by the Meridian instruments, the position of the principal stars in each pair or multiple of stars.

Simultaneously with these observations, you will, as far as practicable, determine the positions of such stars as have different declinations or right ascensions assigned to them in the most accredited Ephemerides.

You will, from time to time, report directly to this Department the progress of the work.

Respectfully, yours,

GEORGE BANCROFT.

Superintendent of the Observatory, Washington."

The foregoing is a true copy of a letter printed in the Appendix to the "Washington Astronomical Observations."

J. S. KENNARD, Passed Mid'n U. S. Navy.

This order is the surface current, and without looking deeper, it may hereafter be construed into the original first idea. Its date is "March 6;" but here is the little under current which took its rise two months before, and makes the upper one clear.

"ORDER

OBSERVATIONS FOR 1846.

A regular series to be kept up on Polaris, «Lyrae, and 61 Cygni, and on the Sun, Moon and Planets; and by the West Transit on the Moon culminators of the Nautical Almanac.

At least ten observations with each of the Meridional instruments are to be made on every Nautical Almanac Star visible during the year.

The list of clock stars to be revised. The Prime Vertical will continue its observations upon aLyrae daily; and upon 61 Cygni, and m Lacertae, as soon as the last two shall be in position. It will also observe upon as many stars of the first or second magnitude as practicable, and will catalogue between the Zenith and 30° N. Declination.

The Meridian and Mural Circles will catalogue in alternate belts of 5° Declination, the former commencing with 45° South, and extending to 35° South; one observation upon each star, cluster, and nebula will suffice for the Catalogue in this part of the heavens.

The West Transit will sweep in belts adjoining the Mural.

Each instrument will number its own stars, beginning with No. 1, and will also quote magnitudes of the stars (standards for which have been given) and assign weight to every observation. (Signed) M. F. MAURY.

January 5th, 1846."

The above is a true copy of an order printed in the Appendix to the "Washington Astronomical Observations.'

J. S. KENNARD, Passed Mid'n U. S. Navy.

I have therefore chosen, gentlemen, to take this memorial from its humble place in the Observatory, to bring it with me, and ask to have it placed on record here with the Historical Society of my native State. It may be useless-we cannot tell. It is our duty to keep the stream of history as it passes by us, pure and clear; and then, we can safely leave the rest to time.

A THOUGHT.

A happy lot must sure be his,

The lord, not slave of things,

Who values life by what it is,

And not by what it brings.-J. Sterling.