The introductory chapter in its story is connected with a letter written by Montaigne to the director of the observatory at Paris, announcing his discovery. This arrived in time to give the astronomers an opportunity for seeing the comet three or four times ere it vanished on its way outward bound. Little more was thought of the celestial visitor until it was glimpsed again thirty-three years later, in November, 1805, by Pons, who, as we have already seen, shared honors with Messier and Montaigne in the “eccentric vocation” of comet-hunting. The comet remained visible in the northern heavens for only a month, when it sank below the horizon and was no longer visible to observers in the northern hemisphere. However, on this occasion the comet came very close to the earth, for we are told that it was visible to the naked eye, even in the strong twilight. Then it remained hidden from view until twenty years later, when it was again rediscovered, this time by an Austrian officer named Biela, in February, 1826. He was determined that the wily object should not be lost sight of again, as far as its orbit was concerned, and by means of careful observations and calculations he was enabled to announce that it was traveling along the same route as the comet seen by Montaigne in 1772, and that seen by Pons in 1805. Therefore, he concluded that it was one and the same comet, and predicted its return in 1832. However, when it was announced by the great French astronomer, Arago, that the comet at this return would cross the orbit of the earth, widespread was the consternation among those who did not know what an orbit was. Possibly, imagining that it was something tangible, we can picture them looking at one another in dismay, and whispering in awed tones, “Does this mean the comet will hit the earth, and if so what will happen to us?” A possible collision with the comet was an alarming thought to the ignorant and superstitious, and the fear caused by Arago’s announcement was so great that it resulted in the first of the many comet-scares. People in dread of the threatened calamity sold their goods and chattels, and thronged the churches as a fit preparation for the end of the world. There they awaited the expected crash and doubtless were surprised when nothing unusual happened. The earth still continued to roll on its appointed path, without jolt or jar to disturb the “even tenor of its way.” The nervous gave a sigh of relief when the comet withdrew once more into the obscurity of space, and those who had parted with their belongings must have felt somewhat annoyed.