CELESTIAL PAGEANTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2410, 10 May 1900, Page 65

CELESTIAL PAGEANTS.

By a Banker.

Those of us whose experience extends not more than about 30 years back, have r.ot been i&\ oured with the sight of any unusual celestial phenomenD. But the 20 preceding 3 ears, from 1850 to 1870, presented several noteworthy spectacles, of such marvellous mteiest that the remembrance of each one of them must be indelibly impressed on the memory of all who had the good fortune to witness them. The fiist of these, the wonderful annular eclipse of the sun, was a most startling exhibition : a delicate Ting of bright light, encircling a copper-coloured disc, hanging suspendeg high in space, the brilliance of -the shiniag circlet being enhanced by the semi-darkness which prevailed. Thir was a spectacle of extreme interest. And then followed, in 1858, Donati s comet. In July and August of that year the comet was plainly visible to the naked eye, daily approaching nearer and nearer, and growing larger end larger. In the following month the comet continued to increase in size and in brilliance at a rate which was. almost terrifying, for il was apparently approaching so near to the earth that people began to conjecture what would happen if the fiery visitor — which was known to be travelling at the rate of perhaps 30 miles a second, or more — were to strike" our earth. Some thought the globe would be shattered into fragments; others that the moon would be lost to us for ever, cariied away in the mad lush of the gigantic visitant; while others thought it possible that the earth itself might be foicocl out of her orbit, and shot into space somewhere in the perpetual cold and darkness reigning on the confines of the solar system. Those, however, who feared that contingency coiild solace themselves with the reflection that before they reached those regions of eternal cold the furious fires raging in the comet would have effectually calcined everything upon the earth's crust.

And traly the enant orb now presented a magnificent and imposing spectacle. Its dazzling nucleus, as large as a small satellite, outshone the brilliant sun Arcturus. sparkling vividly close to the gigantic intruder, which appeared like a fiery globe which had been shot foith and impelled through space by some terrific outburst of explosive energy either in ou" own sun, or in some other giant luminary. From this incandescent globe streamed out, to th° extent of several millions of miles, the vast burning "tail, ' vividly bright near the nucleus, but gradually becoming more and more attemiated, the whole stretching upwards far towards

thf zenith, and apparently hanging diieaiert-. ingly over, as some thought, a deumed eaith.

Scon after this, in 1859, the great display oi Auiora Boreahs took place. The entire northern heavens were encircled with a gigantio \Dillared srch, 4 'io structure appearing as if formed of solid columns of shinirg polished metal of many brilliant lutes, depending from! ths skie=i like a gorgeous canopy. Now, the groat arch, with a kiud of trembling shudder, somewhat paled away for a few seconds, again with a sudden quiver to regain the brilliancy of its fires, which continued to kindle into J greater and greater intensity until now it is glowing as if the pillaia were formed of emeralds and sa-ophires, ltibies and opals, chrysolite and amethyst, while ever and anon ihroughoul the glittering dome vibrating coruscations o£ scintillating fires radiate in alternating spasms of energy.

And then the stately pageant gradually fades away, and the stars, which had been shut out f lorn \iew by that apparently solid and massive canopy, once more shine forth.

Ard in 1868 finally succeeds the extraordinary display of meteors, when it appeared as if every star la the heavens ware falling to the earth, and as if the entire starry vault were being biolren. up, ai.d the stellar universe condemned to destruction

But a tiniG -will come when tliose of us who have not fatuously relusocl to accept the light and easy seivice oi the Redeemer of the world, will be pble on angel wing to visit any part oi the great tiuiverse, and to see for themselves the burning wonders of the greot laboratories of Nature. But those who r.egleot, equally with tliose who refuse, will be shut out!