"But now the morning began to appear, and the Persians, who had discovered the small number of their assailants, surrounded them on every side, and without daring to come to a close engagement, poured in their darts and other missive weapons. The Grecians were wearied even with the toils of conquest, and their body was already considerably diminished; nevertheless, Leonidas, who was yet alive, led on the intrepid few that yet remained to a fresh attack; again he rushed upon the Persians, and pierced their thickest battalions as often as he could reach them. But valour itself was vain against such inequality of numbers; at every charge the Grecian ranks grew thinner and thinner, till at length they were all destroyed, without a single man having quitted his post or turned his back upon the enemy." "Really," said Tommy, when the history was finished, "Leonidas was a brave man indeed. But what became of Xerxes and his army after the death of this valiant Spartan? was he able to overcome the Grecians, or did they repulse him?" "You are now able to read for yourself," replied Mr Barlow, "and therefore, by examining the histories of those countries, you may be informed of everything you desire." CHAPTER VI. The Constellations--Distance from the Earth--The Magnet and its Powers--The Compass--The Greenlanders and their Customs--The Telescope--The Magic Lantern--Story of the African Prince and the Telescope--Mr Barlow's Poor Parishioners--His Annual Dinner--Tommy attempts Sledge Driving--His mishap in the Pond--His Anger. And now the frost had continued for several weeks, and Tommy had taken advantage of the evenings, which generally proved clear and star-light, to improve his knowledge of the heavens. He had already ornamented his paper globe with several of the most remarkable constellations. Around the Pole-star he had discovered Perseus and Andromeda, and Cepheus and Cassiopeia's Chair. Between these and the bright Orion, which rose every night and glittered in the south, he discovered seven small stars that were set in a cluster, and called the Pleiades. Then, underneath Orion, he discovered another glittering star, called Sirius, or the Dog-star. All these, he continually observed, journeyed every night from east to west, and then appeared the evening after in their former places. "How strange it is," observed Tommy, one day to Mr Barlow, "that all these stars should be continually turning about the earth!" "How do you know," replied Mr Barlow, "that they turn at all?" _Tommy._--Because I see them move every night. _Mr Barlow._--But how are you sure that it is the stars which move every night, and not the earth itself? Tommy considered, and said, "But then I should see the earth move, and the stars stand still." _Mr Barlow._--What, did you never ride in a coach? _Tommy._--Yes, sir, very often. _Mr Barlow._--And did you then see that the coach moved, as you sat still, and went along a level road?