The Autumn Sky

Abstract

I. MANY and varied must ever be the regrets that attend the departure of summer days and summer pleasures; and their remembrance casts a lingering sadness even over the bright and beautiful hours that often alleviate the approach of sterner and gloomier seasons. Such impressions however are not shared alike by all. Few perhaps altogether escape their influence; but in some classes they are softened or even obliterated by the development of interests and pleasures of a very different description. Such is especially the case with the astronomical observer. The shortening of the twilight hours is to him as the withdrawing of a veil that obscured the minuter, yet not least interesting, features of the glorious scenes that he loves to explore; and he views with fresh pleasure the deepening tone of the background of unfathomable space, as the atmospheric illumination fades steadily away. We cannot indeed in our latitudes rival the transparent purity of the south, that gives such a magnificent depth to the aspect of the firmament, and throws out in such radiant brilliancy the host of heaven; yet even our autumnal skies are so great an advance upon the misty softness of the summer's night that the observer cannot but rejoice in their return.