An Introduction to Stellar Astronomy. By W. H. S. Monck,
M.A.. F.R.A.S. With Illustrations. (Hutchinson and Co. Us. 6d.)—Our knowledge of the earth has increased, pan i passe, with modern facilities for travel, and it no longer presents the aspect of indefinite vastness which it appeared to possess when it was supposed to be the middle world of three; heaven being above, and hell below. But we know now that it is only a small satellite of a star, and that the sun itself is but one star among the countless millions which are scattered through space at inconceivable distances. Add to these the numberless worlds which are invisible to us, and we are remixided.of the practical infinity of even the physical universe as we are capable of perceiving it. That we should be able, albeit ever so imperfectly, to learn anything relating to the nature and constitution of these distant worlds, is marvellous ; but while Mr. Monck has summed up the principal results of recent discovery, he yet brings out clearly the unavoidable un- certainty which must attend the attempt to reach any real accuracy in details. Thus, we have to consider the motion of the earth, the stars, including the sun, and the slowness of light ; for we are examining bodies always in motion, from a standpoint itself moving, which we see in situations which they occupied years ago. And if the universe is infinite, it is also Maya,— illusion ; for we see only what our senses are capable of presenting to us,—not realities. As Bailey wrote, at a time when far less was known of our universe than at present :—
Festus. Hath space no limit ?
Lucifer. None to thee. Yet if Infinite, It would equal God, and that
To think of were most vain."
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