The moon is large; but much less than the earth. There are stars which are of a much superior magnitude. WILLIAM. We should not think so. DR. BARTLETT. That arises from the stars being still further from us than the moon. WILLIAM. And is the moon also a globe of fire? DR. BARTLETT. No. The moon is a dark body, it receives its light from the sun. CHARLES. All the stars which we see, have their names I suppose? DR. BARTLETT. Not all; we have given names to some of them, that we may better distinguish them. CHARLES. I feel a great desire to be an astronomer; it must be a very pleasing study. DR. BARTLETT. That desire should be encouraged; you will by this science learn rightly to know the great power of your Creator. View the setting sun—what a glorious scene! We should without it be very miserable. All would lie in dreadful darkness. It affords us light, and it brings an agreeable warmth to the earth; it makes the fruit and grass grow: the earth could not bring forth without the sun’s influence. CHARLES. There, the sun is set.—How comes it that it is not now immediately dark? DR. BARTLETT. That arises from the flexibility of its beams, which we will enquire into another time; your laudable curiosity pleases me. Let us now reflect what great benefit we receive from God’s allowing the darkness to come on so gradually. Would it not be dreadful if we came in a moment from clear light into thick darkness? CHARLES. Very true, Sir; it would damp our spirits, and the night would then always surprise us before we were aware of it. DR. BARTLETT. It is indeed happy for us that the night comes and goes away imperceptibly. If we passed out of darkness into light in a moment, our eyes would be blinded by the sudden glare; and the surprise would discompose our minds. The wisdom of the Almighty Creator appears thus in every thing. CHARLES. I never yet thought of that benefit, when I have seen the sun set. I am glad, Sir, that you have pointed it out to me, for it will make me more thankful for the divine goodness. DR. BARTLETT. I will send for my telescope, and then you will have a nearer view of the moon. And to-morrow morning I will call you very early, and we will see the sun rise—you will find it equally beautiful.