THE SHORTEST DAY.

New Zealand Tablet, Volume IX, Issue 465, 10 March 1882, Page 20

THE SHORTEST DAY.

Thb Globe gives its readers a lesson about the " Shortest Day " :—: — Although every one knows that the 21st of December is the shortest day in the year, there are, perhaps, few who could answer off hand tbo Bimple question how much shorter it is than the others, or what is its exact length in these islands. Most persons, moreover, Buppose that the well-known day is shorter "at both ends" — that is to say, that not only the daylight begins later but it also ends earlier in the afternoon. A reference to the almanack will soon show that this last impression is wrong, and another glance will remove several other very prevalent errors respecting the winter daylight. It appears, then, that although the 21st iB the shortest day, it is so only by the fraction of a minute, for if such fractions were disregarded, it would be equal in length to the days on either side of it, each of which, as well as in the 21st, there are seven hours and 44 minutes. So much for the actual length of the day ; but if we regard that part of it which to the fashionable world is the more important, that is the afternoon, we shall find that the 21st is not the " shortest day." Regarded from the point of view of the man who Bhoots or hunts, the day is over on the 21st at an hour no ealier than it was on the sth of December. On each of these days the sun Bets at 3.50 whereas on each day from the Bth to the 18th it disappears one minute earlier. Persons who are fond of talking about the days " beginning to lengthen out" need not therefore wait until after the 21st to indulge in this pleasant remark. They may safely ventare it on the 19th, when the sun keeps above the horizon a minute later than on the 18th. As for the morning light, of which it is to be feared few Londoners see the first dawn, it is yet some days before we shall arrive at the " shortest day." Until the 21st his Solar Majesty still appears at 8.6, and even when on the 22nd he delays till a minute later, he is not yet at his laziest. On the last three days of the year he remains hidden till 8.9 ; so that those who make good resolutions for the coming year as to early rising will be kept in countenance by Phoebus, who waits till the Ist to begin rising at 8.8.