templated. The same astronomer likewise determined both longitude and latitude, and fixed the first degree of the former at the Canaries.

Since then men of great abilities have arisen, and wonderful discoveries have been made with regard to astronomy in general; but to those concerning whom we speak the meed of unqualified admiration must be awarded: they led the way as pioneers along a path which few had trodden, and made discoveries worthy of all praise.

We now recur to the signs of the zodiac, which poets and star-gazers have equally admired. In past ages poets were the first to confer significant names upon those bright luminaries that nightly passed through the heavens; and it seems as if the sons of song watched also with unwearied interest these beauteous signs, that follow one the other in a circling dance; indicating, as they rise, eras of husbandry, with the coming back of punctual birds, and the opening of bright flowers.

The name of Zodiac is derived from a Greek word signifying animal ; because, with the exception only of the Water-carrier and Twins, neither birds nor flowers, nor yet symbolic figures have found a place among them. To borrow the language of inspiration, "it encircles the heavens with a glorious show;" the ecliptic cuts it as it were in two, and astronomers, availing themselves of these important divisions, more readily point out the relative positions of all stars. With reference to the zodiac, the inner circle, which contains the Pole-star, exhibits by far the most brilliant and numerous constellations.

Aquarius, or the Water-carrier, belongs to the present month. No transmitted light, beaming from past ages, gives us reason to suppose that the name assigned to this constellation symbolizes any benefactor to mankind. It is rather believed to have reference to the showery character of the month,

in whatever country the name was first given. Job speaks concerning water urns of the firmament, with reference to clouds, and this elegant appellation is uniformly given them throughout the East.

CHAPTER II.

FEBRUARY.

"That starr'd Ethiope queen who strove

To set her beauties' praise above

The sea-nymphs, and their powers offended."-MILTON.

MEN in all ages have regarded national calamities as the consequence of national crimes. This the Scriptures teach. When, also, the light of true religion gleamed faintly, and imaginary deities were substituted in the place of Him who is Lord of all, history speaks concerning expiatory sacrifices offered by star or idol worshippers, wherewith to propitiate whatever fancied being had become an object of divine honour.

The history of Andromeda offers a case in point. Much, too, of valuable information with regard to ancient manners may be gleaned from its various incidents, and some important lessons from considering the antagonistic

principles that bore sway in the minds of those whose names are inscribed among the stars.

First, then, is Cassiopea, wife of Cepheus, king of Ethiopia, and mother of Andromeda, first mentioned because her reckless pride gave occasion for the calamities that threatened to overwhelm her home and country. The age in which she lived pertains to remote antiquity; it forms an era in the history of mankind, on account of the Argonautic expedition, conjectured to have taken place twelve hundred and sixty-three years before the coming of our Lord, and in which King Cepheus bore a distinguished part. Those who are interested in comparing events will find that this important expedition occurred at least a century before the conquest of Egypt by the Shepherd Kings, whose great oppression rendered the name of shepherd an abomination to the natives of the country, and caused, in after years, the sons of Jacob, whose trade had been about cattle from their youth, to dwell in the land of Egypt. Saul and David had then no place in history; neither was Rome built till at least seven hundred years after; and as regards the land in which we dwell, its inhabitants were equally uncivilized and ferocious, tattooed like the dwellers in New Zealand, and mostly clothed with the skins of animals.

Authentic history can, therefore, throw but little light on the period of which we speak; but Poesy-"celestial maid!"—and her twin sister, Legend, have much to tell concerning it.

Cassiopea, say they, was a proud and capricious dame: she boasted of her beauty, and depreciated that of Juno and the Nereides-sea-nymphs who dwelt chiefly in the Egean Sea, and often danced in choruses around their father, Nereus.

"Is not my beauty greater far than those"

Thus spake the queen-"Nereides though they be,
Pale nymphs that haunt where'er the streamlet flows,
Or ride in sea-shells o'er the briny sea ?"

The Nereides heard, and they prepared for vengeance.

Morning rose in beauty; the sun came forth from his glorious canopy of clouds; and the rippling waves of the ancient sea broke in gentle murmurs on the shore. Damsels went forth to their pleasant labours by fountain side, or to gather the golden-tinged oranges and citrons that hung in clusters beside the fields of pulse. The king was in his hall of state, the queen presiding with her ladies at their looms; there was peace within the city, and gladness in the country, when suddenly the sky was overcast, and a loud, bustling,

unusual kind of wind drove the dust in clouds.

"I cannot see to go on with my embroidery," said the chief lady, whose office it was to superintend her younger companions; 66 Iwe must all wait till the sky is clear again." And thus saying, she folded her hands together, and looked towards the heavens.

The firmament, however, darkened more and more; and presently a messenger came in haste to say that the river had broken its bound. Onward came the waters, rolling over their ancient limits; fields were inundated, and cottages swept away; while the terrified inhabitants rushed tumultuously nto the city, which stood on rising ground; but presently the streets were overflown, and the whole population fled with one accord to a considerable eminence, which the torrent had not yet gained.

That eminence was crowned with a temple of exceeding beauty, and shaded by an olive grove. Jupiter Ammon, under the name of Osiris, was worshipped

there, symbolic of the sun, and representing the principle of light and heat; his altars were not, like those of other pagan deities, stained with the blood of human victims; his sacrificial offerings were goats, sheep, and white bulls. Even in this early period men had turned from the adoration of the true God, and substituted symbolic worship; and their high places retained a strong hold on the affections of the people, who ascended them at the dawn of day to hail the first appearance of the luminary whom they ignorantly worshipped. The unwonted clouding of that luminary was, therefore, regarded as a proof of his displeasure. "Haste ye, priests," said the king; "consult the oracle, according to your wont; even now the frantic billows, urged by fierce winds, have reached the base of the eminence; they prepare to scale the sides." The priests made all haste; there was no lack of beasts for sacrifice, for the herdsmen had driven their choicest herds and flocks for safety to the mount; and many a terrified animal, after struggling through the current, had rushed among the crowd. Two white calves were quickly sacrificed; and priests, attired in sacerdotal vestments, and bearing in their hands branches of oak covered with acorns, entered a solemn wood, which clothed the hill eastward, within the precincts of which, and beside a rushing stream, dwelt the priestess, whom they invoked with loud cries, for already the usurping waters might be seen gleaming among the trees far down, yet reaching above the giant roofs of such as skirted the margin of the wood."

Slowly came forth the response. "Your queen," said the oracle, "has drawn upon herself the vengeance of Neptune; she has boasted of her beauty, and derided those who dwell amid rushing waters. One only offering can save her husband's realm from ruin. Let Andromeda be that sacrifice

'A votive offering to the raging main.'

Bind her with strong cords to some sea rock, and dare not to interfere, whatever fate may threaten."

Who can describe the anguish of the parents when listening to those words of augury? They still sought to save their child, and hurried, together with their people, to the highest summit of the hill; but the waters followed hard after them, and as far as the eye could reach appeared one vast sea-like lake, covered with raging billows, each of which seemed as if urged onward by remorseless genii; high towers and domes came crashing, thundering down; tall cocoa-trees were submerged to their branches, and yet the flood increased. Oh, my parents!" said Andromeda, "resist no longer, I beseech you. We must all perish. See you not that the waters have gained the first grove of olives? Quick, quick! let the consecrated boats be lowered: the priests will row me speedily to the nearest rock."

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And the boat was lowered: it bore a sacrifice that day such as Ethiopia had never before witnessed. The priests rowed hard, and wept in bitterness of heart; for Andromeda, the beloved of her father's house, had grown up among them. The billows helped on the boat-they seemed to run down the sides of the mount-they rushed across the plains-they went sounding towards the sea, bearing with them a freight of boats, for "She shall not die alone!" had been heard as one wild cry from the trembling multitude.

Prayers such as never had ascended from the land of Ethiopia were heard that day. They invoked neither Jupiter nor yet Neptune, nor any of those imaginary beings who were fabled to preside over the destinies of men. The terrible land-flood and the prospect of certain death had dissipated, as in a

moment, the illusions of past ages; the oneness and mighty power of some all-presiding Deity seemed to fill their minds, and to Him alone they prayed, as having the power to save.

Andromeda was firmly bound; and around her the raging billows tossed on high their crests of foam. Her eyes were closed, her hands folded on her breast she looked like one whose thoughts were not of earth-who meekly submitted to lay down her innocent life for the saving of her father's land. Suddenly, and with a terrible rush, came up a monster from the deep-half fish and half serpent-and made towards the damsel; and as suddenly sprang forth the strong men from their boats, heedless of oracle or Neptune; but, alas! they were unarmed, and their deafening shouts were unavailing to intimidate the monster. The parents in their agony had fallen to the ground; but the hideous reptile having struggled over a sunken rock, and being in the act of sliding down the side nearest his victim, was suddenly arrested by a flashing sword--that of a stranger youth, who boldly advanced to the rescue. The conflict that ensued was terrible to witness. The reptile sought to enwrap his opponent in his flapping fins, while he lashed the billows into foam; but the stranger, eluding his attack, gave him a dire thrust, and escaped behind a jutting rock. The reptile followed him with open mouth, and would have seized upon his enemy, had not the rock proved a barrier to his further progress. One moment more, and while the hideous eyes of the creature glared furiously within reach, a rapid stroke from the good sword of the young prince deprived him of sight. Oh the terror and the gladness of

that moment!

The furious serpent raged round and round; the waters smoked beneath the lashing of his tail, and his yells were horrible to hear. Happily the first thrust had entered a vital part, and his strength quickly failed. A few more efforts a few more openings of his wide jaws, as if eager to devour his prey— and he lay dead upon the waves.

"Let us drag him out, and hang up his skin in the temple on the mount,' said a troop of young men, who came running from the Libyan side. “No,” said Perseus-for such was the stranger's name-" -"let us rather return thanks to the Ruler of heaven and earth, who alone checked the land-flood, and strengthened my arm to overcome the terrible sea-monster, who would otherwise have devoured me."

"Andromeda, thy gentle name is blended

With that bright star which near to Perseus waits,
Rising with him and waning, thou, descended
From a long line of kings, and chief estates!

Now moving through the calm and silent night,
All sorrow past, all mortal care gone by;

The stars that bear your names, with purest light,
Beam on each lone grave where your ashes lie.
And calmly seated in her starry chair,

The chasten'd mother beams effulgent there."

The courage and devotedness of Andromeda are so inexpressibly touching, that wherever her constellation becomes visible with that of Cassiopea, some affecting incidents are connected with them. The Italian peasant sings concerning the wayward queen, and her meek and devoted child, beneath the shade of olive groves. The Savoyard hails the rising of his favourite stars over rocks and waterfalls, and strikes up the merriest tune to their honour. Even the Swedish peasant, who has heard their tale in songs which have been

handed down from father to son since the days of Linnæus, associates with them that small purple flower which grows in swamps and peat bogs, amid the wildest solitudes. "This plant," said the Swedish naturalist who first discovered it in the marshy parts of Lapland, "shall be named Andromeda." The Ethiopian princess was chained to a sea-rock; the billows reached her feet, as fresh water the roots of this beauteous evergreen. A fierce dragon infested the ocean beside which her doom was fixed, as toads and other reptiles infest the abode of her vegetable prototype. Andromeda cast down her blushing head from excessive affliction, and the rosy-coloured flower hangs its petals, which grow paler and paler, till she dies away. Perseus bravely came to the rescue of the maiden; and summer-which he may be thought to symbolize-dries up the surrounding waters, destroying by his beams such monsters as lurk therein, and restoring the plant to liberty, who then carries her head, the capsule, erect.

*

Thus closes the history of Andromeda and its associations; of Cassiopea also. He who wishes to become ac

Star of the second magnitude. quainted with the form and place of such

Star of the third magnitude.
Star of the fourth magnitude,

Star of the fifth magnitude.

C

Nebula.

Constellations as bear their names may readily discover them by comparing the heavens with his chart; keeping steadily in view that they describe a circle round the Pole-star, and form a family group, including Cepheus and Perseus the father and husband of Andromeda-and near them are the Dragon and Great Bear. The Pole-star, therefore, is the termination of an axis

round which myriads of stars revolve; and the reason why a considerable