[Illustration]
Midwinter is over. According to astronomical reckoning, we have just
passed that point in the earth’s orbit, where the north pole is turned
most from the sun. This position is represented in the diagram above, by
the direction of the terminator, or boundary line of light and darkness,
which is seen to divide the globe into two equal parts; the north pole,
which is the upper pole in the figure, and all parts within 32½ degrees,
being enveloped in constant darkness. We now trace the sun among the
stars of the constellation Capricorn or sea-goat, and it is winter in
the whole northern hemisphere. At the beginning of January the earth is
at its _least_ distance from the sun, which is proved by measuring the
apparent magnitude of that luminary by means of an instrument called a
micrometer, his disc being now about 32 minutes of a degree; whereas at
the opposite season, or at the beginning of July, near our Midsummer,
his apparent diameter is only about 31 minutes. The coldness of winter
therefore does not depend on the distance of the earth from the sun, but
on the very oblique or slanting direction of his rays; less heat falling
on any given part of the earth, than when the rays fall more direct.
From the slanting direction of his rays they pass through a more dense
region of the atmosphere, and are somewhat intercepted; while another
cause of the cold is the shortness of our days and the length of our
nights; the sun continuing only about seven hours and a half above the
horizon, while he is absent for about sixteen hours and a half.
This position of the earth relatively to the sun is exemplified in the
Popular Lectures on Astronomy, now delivering at the Assembly-room,
Paul’s Head, Cateaton-street, by Mr. John Wallis, on _Tuesday_ and
_Thursday_ evenings. His explanations of this noble science are
familiarly and beautifully illustrated, by an original and splendid
apparatus devised and constructed by his own hands. It consists of
extensive mechanism and numerous brilliant transparencies. Mr. Wallis’s
lectures on _Tuesday_ and _Thursday_ next, the 18th and 20th of January,
1825, are under the patronage of the Lord Mayor. Here is a sure mode of
acquiring astronomical knowledge, accompanied by the delightful
gratification of witnessing a display of the heavens more bewitching
than the mind can conceive. Ladies, and young persons especially, have a
delightful opportunity of being agreeably entertained by the novelty and
beauty of the exhibition and the eloquent descriptions of the
enlightened lecturer.
* * * * *
The holly with its red berries, and the “fond ivy,” still stick about
our houses to maintain the recollection of the seasonable festivities.
Let us hope that we may congratulate each other on having, while we kept
them, kept ourselves within compass. Merriment without discretion is an
abuse for which nature is sure to punish us. She may suffer our
violence for a while in silence; but she is certain to resume her rights
at the expense of our health, and put us to heavy charges to maintain
existence.
~January 7.~
_St. Lucian._ _St. Cedd._ _St. Kentigerna._ _St. Aldric._ _St.
Thillo._ _St. Canut._
_St. Lucian._
This saint is in the calendar of the church of England on the following
day, 8th of January. He was a learned Syrian. According to Butler, he
corrected the Hebrew version of the Scriptures for the inhabitants of
Palestine, during some years was separated from the Romish church,
afterwards conformed to it, and died after nine years imprisonment,
either by famine or the sword, on this day, in the year 312. It further
appears from Butler, that the Arians affirmed of St. Lucian, that to him
Arius was indebted for his distinguishing doctrine, which Butler however
denies.