MR. PROCTOR'S SPECULATION.
I To Tax Enrron op TER " SPEOTATOR."] SIR,—Before the attention awakened by your article on "The Astronomical Notice to Quit" ceases, you may not deem it unimportant that exactness as to fact should be indicated. The star in the Northern Crown did not merely burn "for a day or two," as has been assumed. On May 9th, 1866, the star in the constellation Corona Borealis was observed to increase in magnitude. On May 12th, it shone with the brilliancy equal to one in the belt of Orion. It twinkled much more than other stars near, when seen by the naked eye, and not until June 22nd did it go back to the ninth magnitude, its original place. When seen through the spectroscope, there were transverse dark lines seen across it, and the opinion was, I believe, expressed by the Astronomer Royal that the star was in flames.—I am, Sir, &c., Tunbridge Wells, February 11th. W32. GUEST.
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