FOR THE GIRLS

Auckland Star, Volume LXV, Issue 5, 6 January 1934, Page 2 (Supplement)

FOR THE GIRLS

"MOON MAGIC;"

THE WONDER OF, THE SKIES

My Dear Girls, — All of you may not be lucky enough to be away from home du:-in~ these holidays, but that should not worry you at all, for quite close to home one may find enjoyment just as easily as one may in a distant town or holiday resort. City dwellers can always find a park or space of open country handy enough to visit, and rambling among trees and along streams is splendid fun. There is a high hill close to where I live, and though I never tire of climbing it to enjoy the view from the top, I tried something new the other day and ascended the hill after the sun had set. How different things seemed in the dusky twilight. The city streets far below were hidden in a murky gloom until presently the lamps were lit, and it seemed that my hill-top floated in a sea of twinkling lights. From behind a clump of trees the full moon rose, filtering its light through the leafy branches for a time, then drifting gradually into a clear night sky. For countless ages men have admired the moon, and strange indeed are the things that they think they can see upon its face. Most of you I suppose know the story of Rona, whom the Maoris believe to dwell upon the moon, but Indian children have a stranger idea still, for they imagine they can see a hare upon the face of the moon. Now, although for 364 days out of the calendar year, I, like hundreds of others, take the moon quite for granted, on this night the wonder and strangeness of it impressed us all. It seems wonderful, doesn't it, to think of that great planet illuminating our world at night by reflected light. It seems more wonderful still when we realise that its surface is rough and mountainous, and that scattered all over it are great craters, some of which are 100 miles or more in diameter. Many attempts have been made to estimate the brightness of the moon, and the results show that its light is equal to about one quarter of a metre-candle, that is to a 100-candle power lamp at a distance of 22 yards. Well, dear girls, much as I would like to stay • here in this nice cool library writing to you all, I ff am afraid I must run off with this screed to Mr. f \a Printerman, or there will be no Wendy letter this I week. Dear me! *