Prelude

As this object constitutes a remarkable case of Sidereal Chromatics, in which Nature seems to have been caught at her work, some account of the decided mutations of colour recently detected in it becomes necessary; and the story may be related in a few words. It should, however, be premised that we are told (and it is highly probable), that light, when first emitted from the photospheres of the sun and stars “should be in all cases identical, the differences of colour depending upon the differences of constitution of the investing atmosphere :” but the variability of the hues in question is still to be explained, since they cannot be satisfactorily accounted for by any prevailing scientific theory. It is truly wonderful; and at the present status of the phenomenon, we can only ejaculate St. Augustine's rem vidi, causam non vidi.

Still it behoves us, like humble neophytes, not merely to wonder and worship, for that line of conduct would not advance us in the adoration due to our omniscient and omnipresent Creator. We must endeavour to understand the glorious phenomena so benignantly opened out to us as portions of a vast design. Some features of nature may be more important for our comprehension than others, yet in our present nescience we should patiently regard them all with equal care, and scrutinise them until their apparent mystery is unveiled.