TUTOR. Now, suppose the earth to be in that part of its orbit which is nearest to the star, it would be 95 millions of miles nearer to it than the sun is. PUPIL. Certainly. TUTOR. And, in the opposite side of its orbit, as much farther from the star. PUPIL. Without doubt. TUTOR. Then you find that the earth is 190 millions of miles nearer to the star at one time of the year than it is at another; and yet the magnitude of the star does not appear the least altered, nor is its distance affected by it. PUPIL. A proof of its amazing distance.—I was going to ask a silly question. TUTOR. What is it? perhaps not so simple as you may imagine. PUPIL. Whether the most conspicuous stars are not supposed to be the nearest to us? TUTOR. Undoubtedly.—And are called stars of the first magnitude; the next in splendor, stars of the second magnitude; and so on to the sixth magnitude; and those beyond, which are not visible to the naked eye, are called telescopic stars. PUPIL. The distance of the telescopic stars must be great indeed, beyond all conception. TUTOR. You judge rightly; and their numbers are beyond all computation. Doctor Herschell says, he has not a doubt but that the broad circle in the heavens, called the Milky Way, is a most extensive stratum of stars, he having discovered in it many thousands. Besides, some stars appear to him double, others treble, &c. not that they are really so, but are stars at different distances from us, which appear nearly in a right line. “As in the milky-way a shining white “O’erflows the heav’ns with one continued light, “That not a single star can shew his rays, “Whilst jointly all promote the common blaze.” PUPIL. I have heard of numbering the stars; but that, I find, is impossible. TUTOR. If you mean that immense host of stars I have been describing, it is impossible; but, though in a clear winter’s night, without moonshine, they seem to be innumerable, which is owing to their strong sparkling, and our looking at them in a confused manner; yet when the whole firmament is divided as it has been done by the ancients, the number that can be seen at a time, by the naked eye, is not above a thousand. PUPIL. Pray, Sir, how did the ancients divide the firmament? TUTOR. I would willingly answer your question; but, as I find I shall not have time to give you that information I wish, I shall postpone it till I see you to-morrow evening. ------------------------------------------------------------------------ DIALOGUE IV. TUTOR.