OF THE HIGH-SCHOOL ASTRONOMY: IN WHICH THE DESCRIPTIVE, PHYSICAL, AND PRACTICAL ARE COMBINED, WITH SPECIAL REFERENCE TO THE WANTS OF ACADEMIES AND SEMINARIES OF LEARNING. BY HIRAM MATTISON, A. M., LATE PROFESSOR OF NATURAL PHILOSOPHY AND ASTRONOMY IN THE FALLEY HEAVENS, ETC., ETC. NEW YORK: SHELDON & CO., 498 AND 500 BROADWAY. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1853, BY HIRAM MATTISON, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of New York. 520 M43h PREFACE. I THE design of this work is to furnish a suitable text-book of Astronomy for academies and seminaries of learning. For juvenile learners, the "Primary Astronomy" is all that can be desired; and for advanced classes, who wish to study the Constellations, in connection with Mythology, the "Geography of the Heavens" should be chosen in preference to all others; but for all ordinary students, this intermediate work will be found sufficiently elementary on the one hand, and sufficiently extended on the other. The work is now divided into three parts. After an introduction, which consists of Preliminary Observations and Definitions, and occupies twenty pages, Part First is devoted to the Solar System-the sun, planets, comets, eclipses, tides, &c.; Part Second relates to the Sidereal Heavens-the fixed stars, constellations, clusters, and nebulæ; and Part Third to Practical Astronomy-the structure and use of instruments, refraction, parallax, &c. This department, so seldom introduced into texty books for schools, will be found especially interesting and valuable. 31J12 Besides embracing all the late discoveries in astronomy, under a strictly philosophical classification, the work is thoroughly illustrated, by the introduction of diagrams into its pages, in connection with the text; and the adaptation throughout to the use of the black-board, during recitation, cannot fail to be appreciated by every practical teacher. The variety of type affords an agreeable relief to the eye of the student, and at the same time distinguishes the main text from the less important matter, the more careful study of which may be left for a review. The suggestive topical questions at the bottom of the page complete the design. On the whole, the work is believed to be a decided improvement upon the works heretofore in use in this department of study; and as such it is offered to the professional teachers of the country. New York, August, 1866. H. MATTISON. 297388 ASTRONOMICAL WORKS In the Author's Library, and more or less consulted in the compilation of the following pages: A Cycle of Celestial Objects, for the use of Naval, Military, and Private Astronomers, &c. By CAPT. WM. HENRY SMYTH, &c. 2 vols. 8vo. London, 1844. An Introduction to Astronomy, in a Series of Letters from a Preceptor to his Pupii, &c. By JOHN BONNYCASTLE, Professor of Mathematics, &c. 1 vol. 8vo. London, 1822. An Introduction to the True Astronomy; or, Astronomical Lectures read in the Astronomical School of the University of Oxford. By JOHN KEILL, M. D., F. R. S., &c. 1 vol. 8vo. Dublin, 1793. Astronomy Explained, upon Sir Isaac Newton's principles, &c., &c. By JAMES FERGUSON, F. R. S. 1 vol. 4to. London, 1764. The Elements of Physical and Geometrical Astronomy. By DAVID GREGORY, M. D., late Sullivan Professor of Astronomy at Oxford, &c. 2 vols. 8vo. London, 1726. Astronomy, in Five Books. By ROGER LONG, D. D., F. R. S., &c., University of Cambridge. 2 vols. 4to. Cambridge (Eng.), 1742. Astronomia Carolina, &c., by THOMAS STREET; and A Series of Observations on the Planets, chiefly the Moon, &c., by DR. EDMUND HALLEY. 1 vol. 4to. London, 1716. Astronomical Lectures, read in the Public School at Cambridge (Eng). By WILLIAM WHISTON, M. A., Professor of Mathematics, &c. 1 vol. 8vo. London, 1728. The Wonders of the Heavens; a popular view of Astronomy, &c. By DUNCAN BradFORD. 1 vol. royal 4to. New York, 1843. Popular Lectures on Science and Art, &c. By DIONYSIUS LARDNER, F. R. S., &c., &c. 2 vols. 8vo. New York, 1846. Outlines of Astronomy. By SIR JOHN F. W. HERSCHEL, Bart., K. H., &c. 1 vol. 8vo. Phenomena and Order of the Solar System, and Views of the Architecture of the An Elementary Treatise on Astronomy, &c. By WILLIAM A. NORTON, A. M. 1 vol. An Introduction to Astronomy, &c. By DENISON OLMSTED, A. M. 1 vol. 8vo. New York, 1844. Also, Letters on Astronomy, and Life and Writings of Ebenezer Porter Mason, by the same author. 2 vols. 12mo. The Solar System; or, the Sun, Moon, and Stars. By J. R. HIND, Director of Mr. Bishop's Observatory, Regent's Park, London. 1 vol. 12mo. London, 1852. A Pictorial Display of the Astronomical Phenomena of the Universe, &c. By C. F. BLOUNT. 4to. New York, 1844. The Recent Progress of Astronomy, &c. By ELIAS LOOMIS, Professor of Mathematics, &c. 1 vol. 12mo. New York, 1850. Annual of Scientific Discovery, &c. By DAVID A. WELLS, A. M. 1 vol. 12mo. Boston, 1852. The Sidereal Messenger; a Monthly Journal, devoted to Astronomical Science. By O. M. MITCHEL, A. M. (Now discontinued.) Also, Astronomical Lectures by ARAGO, LARDNER, MITCHEL, and NICHO.; and Elementary Treatises by BURRITT, KENDAL, BARTLET, MCINTIRE, ABBOTT, QSTRANDER, BLAKE, HASLER, SMITH, CLARK, VOSE, TYLER, COMSTOCK, HASKINS, RYAN, WILKINS KEATH, &C., &c. |