The source of all our light and heat, although about three millions of
miles nearer to us on the 2d of January than it was on the 3d of July
last, affords neither the same quantity of light nor heat; and for two
reasons: 1. His rays fall on us more obliquely. 2. He does not remain
so long above our horizon. On the 1st he rises at 7:24 a. m. and sets
at 4:44 p. m., making our day only nine hours and twenty minutes long;
and on the 31st rises at 7:11 a. m. and sets at 5:16 p. m., giving
us ten hours and five minutes for a day’s length, an increase of
forty-five minutes.