The established binary systems, with their periods and annual motions, are given in the following table. The signs + and — indicate the different directions of the motion.

Names of Stars.

Annual Motion.

› Serpentis.

496

0.726

y Virginis

s fμ Bootis

Of these stars, Ursa Majoris possesses a very peculiar character, as the two stars revolve round their common centre of gravity with a motion so rapid as to admit of being traced and measured from month to month. After comparing all the observations with the latest by Mr. South, Mr. Herschel observes,

'Nothing can be more satisfactory than the confirmation these observations afford of the rapid motion ascribed to this remarkable star. In the interval of 1.97 years, since the epoch 1823.29, the motion has amounted to no less than 13° 55', in the direction n p, s f, or -7°.025 per annum. 'The sudden diminution of velocity is, however, not confirmed. Indeed it rested on too short an interval, and on too few observations, to deserve great confidence. We cannot do better than recommend this star for the next ten or twenty years to the constant and careful measurement of astronomers; nor can we too strongly inculcate here the indispensable necessity of multiplying extremely their measures of position, to eliminate those errors of judgment to which the most experienced observers are liable in measures of this sort. This done, there is no doubt of our arriving at a precise knowledge of the elements and position of the orbit described by each about their common centre of gravity; and the question of the extension or non-extension of the Newtonian law of gravity to the sidereal heavens, the next great step which physical astronomy has yet to make, will be effectually decided.'

Another object of very peculiar interest to astronomers is ? Herculis, which both Mr. Herschel and Mr. South have found to be single, with the best telescopes. In July, 1782, however, it was a distinct double star, the greater being of a beautiful bluish

white, and the lesser of a fine ash colour. In 1782, Sir William Herschel found the interval between the two stars to be one-half the diameter of the smaller one. In 1795, he could with difficulty perceive the small star. In 1802, he could no longer perceive it; but, in a very clear night, the apparent disc of 2 Herculis seemed to be lengthened in one direction. In 1803, with a power of 2140, he found the disc a little distorted, but he was convinced that about three-eighths of the apparent diameter of the small star was wanting to make the occultation of it complete. If these two stars have not yet begun to separate, which we think the French achromatic telescope will determine, the separation will certainly take place in a few years, and astronomers will, no doubt, devote to it much of their attention.*

It is scarcely possible, we think, to peruse the preceding details concerning the history and present advanced state of astronomy, brief and imperfect as they are, without looking forward with the most intense interest to the future progress of the science. Even within our own system much remains to be investigated. The nature of the sun, and the constitution of its surface in relation to the more or less copious discharge of light and heat; the physical condition of the moon, which may yet exhibit among her mountains the works of living agents; the theory of the four new planetary fragments, which hold out to physical astronomy some of its most perplexing problems; the forms, the rotations, and the densities of most of the secondary planets,-are all subjects fraught with the deepest interest to astronomers. The comets, too, those illusory bodies of which we scarcely know whence they come, or whither they go, have now been brought within the grasp of regular observation. The discovery of two comets with short periods, one of three and one-third years, revolving within the orbit of Jupiter, and the other with a period of five years, revolving within the orbit of Saturn, enables us to observe them period after period, and to study their motions as well as their physical constitution. But how shall we describe the future prospects of sidereal astronomy! In our own nebula we may trace the motion of the solar system round some distant centre; we may discover the causes which produce the phenomena of variable stars; and we may witness the extension of the law of gravity to the movements of binary, and even of more complicated, systems. Among the nebula beyond our own, discoveries still more extraordinary await us. May we not see even the operations of those powerful agents by which whole systems are formed; and of those still more tremendous forces by which other systems are destroyed? In the changes of particular nebulæ, and in the condensation of * Since the above was written, we find that the Dorpat telescope has separated the two stars of ¿ Herculis.

nebulous

nebulous matter into lucid centres, and even into central stars, we recognise the first of these agents; and in the sudden disappearance of the most brilliant stars, we have some indication of the second. Thus may we study, in these distant regions, the active operations of creative power; and thus, in relation to the past and the future in our own globe, may we be permitted to witness the types of those great events which are necessarily excluded from the short span of our existence.

If such, then, be the prospects which the cultivation of astronomy holds out to the human mind, can we, as a nation, be indifferent to the part we are to take in these intellectual achievements? When we look at the state of science on the continent, pursued by academicians freed from the embarrassments of professional labour, and when we look at their numerous and wellappointed observatories, we shrink from the comparison which is thus forced upon our attention. We feel as if it were a species of treason to record the fact that, within the wide range of the British islands, there is only one observatory, and scarcely one supported by the government! We say scarcely one, because we believe that some of the instruments in the observatory of Greenwich were purchased out of the private funds of the Royal Society of London. The observatories of Oxford, Cambridge, Dublin, Edinburgh,* Armagh,† and Glasgow, are all private establishments, to the support of which government contributes nothing. The consequence of this is, that many of them are in a state of comparative inactivity; and none of them, but that of Dublin, have acquired any celebrity in the astronomical world. Such, indeed, was the state of practical astronomy in Scotland, that within these few years, a Danish vessel, which arrived at Leith, could not obtain, even in Edinburgh, the time of the day for the purpose of setting its chronometers.

Under such circumstances, it would be a painful task to enumerate the thriving institutions in which astronomy is cultivated in all the other kingdoms of civilised Europe. It is sufficient to state, that in such a list Great Britain would be placed beside Spain or Turkey !

We must make a slight exception in the case of Edinburgh. During the king's visit, the observatory had permission to take the name of the Royal Observatory of George IV.; and yet it has received from government only the sum of 2000. to purchase instruments. The sum of 50007. subscribed by public spirited individuals, was expended in a fine Greek building, which frowns in empty grandeur over the metropolis of the north. This observatory is still without any provision for an astronomer. + It gives us great pleasure to state, that Lord J. G. Beresford, Archbishop of Armagh, has given a very handsome sum in order to supply this observatory with new instruments. Within the last twenty years, four observatories, completely furnished with instruments, have been formed, by the Emperor of Russia, at Dorpat, Abo, Warsaw, and Nicolajef.

ART.

ART. II.-1. Hymns, written and adapted to the Weekly Church Service of the Year. By the late Reginald Heber, DĎ., Lord Bishop of Calcutta. London.

1828.

2. The Christian Psalmist. By James Montgomery. London. 1827.

A GENERAL impression seems to prevail, that the Psalmody

of our church requires amendment and regulation. In no one point are all parties within the established church-we might add among the dissenters-so far agreed, as in admitting the importance of this part of public worship; and, perhaps, there is scarcely less unanimity of dissatisfaction as to its present unsettled and variable state. In these days, if every individual, as St. Paul complained concerning the church of Corinth, has not a psalm, yet almost every congregation has a book of psalms and hymns, selected with greater or less judgment, according to the taste, opinions, and feelings of the compiler. We have before us collections used in different churches of the establishment, varying from the zero of the most icy Socinianism up to the boiling-water heat of the most feverish enthusiasm. This is a serious evil; first, as a direct infringement on the principle of uniformity which regulates our liturgical services. If a prescribed form of prayer be found convenient, and appear essentially interwoven with the constitution of our church, surely some limit should be assigned to the disagreement and discord in this part of our service, which render it impossible for a stranger, on entering a place of worship, to feel secure in what spirit that praise or adoration of God, in which it is his duty, as well as his desire, to join, is about to be offered. Secondly, it appears highly inexpedient to leave this part of the service in the power of the parochial clergy. For, not to inquire whether each individual pastor is likely to possess the taste, discretion, and piety, which will warrant his demanding deference to his opinion on a subject of acknowledged difficulty, the psalms and hymns may vary according to the judgment of each successive incumbent. The rector, on his appointment, finds a selection established, which, right or wrong, he considers highly objectionable; he discards it, and substitutes another, to the great mortification of some part of his flock, who are attached, either from principle or habit, to the old service. Some are offended by the slight put upon the memory of their former pastor; others (we studiously avoid the more dangerous cause of disunion, the diversity of doctrine) are dissatisfied because the time and pains which they have employed in enabling themselves to join in the service have been thrown away; at all events, the poorer inhabitants find their old books useless, and are put to an expense, at which they reasonably complain, if they would still unite their voices with the general song of praise or thanksgiving.

thanksgiving. Hence disunion, dissension, perhaps secession; and this is a mischief, of which we do not as yet entirely see the fatal operation; but, as the present generation of clergy, by whom the innovation has generally been introduced, shall, in the course of nature, be withdrawn from their places, we cannot but anticipate its more extensive and increasing influence. If, in the present state of ecclesiastical affairs, it should appear inexpedient to regulate this part of our service by law or by episcopal authority, yet, if a selection could be made, which should meet the approbation of the rulers of the church, and emanate from the great organ of the establishment, the Society for Promoting Christian Knowledge, we are persuaded it would gradually work its way into most congregations; and we trust that the candour and moderation of those, whose views it might not entirely meet, would admit the expediency of some sacrifice of their personal feelings or opinions, for the great and sacred end of promoting unity within the church.

We are desirous, therefore, of throwing out some suggestions on the subject, which may be useful, if the ecclesiastical authorities of the Church of England and Ireland should seriously apply themselves to the question. The Church of Scotland is actually employed on the revision of her psalmody; and as we are sure that our end would be the same-a selection, full of fervour, without fanaticism; tempered, but not chilled, by sobriety-our inquiries may not be without advantage in that quarter also.* Our object is, to develope certain principles, which we conceive ought to be constantly kept in mind by the compilers of a congregational service; but we shall enter into a preliminary historical sketch of the psalmody, and what we shall take the liberty of calling the hymnology, of the Christian church. Even if we should not succeed in establishing our own principles, the discussion cannot fail to be of the highest importance, and, we conceive, public interest. For if we consider the millions who are employed on every Sabbath in offering up public praise and adoration to God; if we estimate the extent of those countries, of those worlds, we might have siad, over which the English language is, and will be, that of public worship; if, as we dare hope, the church of England is to be almost co-extensive with the limits of our native tongue; we may enter into the enthusiasm which dictated the following sentence of Mr. Montgomery, the sincerity of which his character

* Since the above was written, we find that the American Episcopal Church put forth, in the course of last year, a selection for the use of their congregations-we have not yet seen it. Nor are we aware whether Dr. Baird, the Principal of Edinburgh College, has as yet printed any specimens of the new collection which he is about to submit to the consideration of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland,

forbids