Every planet with which we are acquainted turns on an imaginary line, called its axis, which passing through its centre and terminating at opposite points of its surface is there denominated the poles. Some of the planetary bodies revolve with much greater velocity than others. As examples, we will mention the earth and Jupiter. The circumference of the earth is estimated in round numbers at 25,000 (twenty-five thousand) miles. Now as the earth makes an entire revolution on its axis in rather less than 24 hours (23 hours, 56 minutes, and 4 seconds,) every object at the earth's surface in the immediate vicinity of the equator* must necessarily move in that time through the space denoted above, which is with a velocity somewhat exceeding seventeen miles in a minute. The circumference of Jupiter is nearly eleven times that of the earth: in round numbers we may describe it at 273,000 (two hundred and seventythree thousand) miles. Jupiter, however, although so much larger than the earth, performs its daily revolution in less time, namely, in 9 hours, 55 minutes, and 33 seconds. The objects at the surface of this magnificent planet near its equator move, therefore, with a velocity equal to about 458 miles in a minute.

Rapid as is the diurnal motion of the earth, it bears only the same analogy to the speed with which it pursues its journey through the vast expanse of the heavens, that the ordinary walking pace of a man, say at four miles an hour, does to the rate at which the swift is, which, as we have already seen, is estimated at 250 miles an hour. There is something very impressive in the thought, that whilst our globe is whirling round with a rapidity far surpassing whatever comes within the limits of our observation in the movements of men, of animals, and of machines; yet we are not, apparently, affected, nor in any way inconvenienced by this incessant activity; but when we further reflect, that we are participating in a movement still more rapid, the mean rate at which the earth proceeds in its orbit being eighteen miles and three quarters in a second, the mind is lost in wonder, and we feel at once our inability calmly to survey, and completely to comprehend, these stupendous monuments of Jehovah's originating and sustaining power.

We readily admit, that of those who have now an opportunity of making themselves acquainted with the general phenomena of the universe, not one in a hundred, and probably not one in a thousand, possesses the means and the knowledge requisite for demonstrating the relative magnitudes, motions, and distances of the heavenly bodies. But the sublime truths which astronomy announces, are not the less susceptible of proof, because a few only, as compared with the mass of mankind, are permitted to penetrate into regions far beyond the ordinary limits of human vision. Vast and important as is the amount of secular knowledge, when viewed in the aggregate, we are justified in asserting, that no department of it is so perfect as that of astronomy. Here it is that man has been most successful in his efforts to reduce his knowledge to a system. Profiting from age to

From a Latin term which means to make equal. It refers to an imaginary line passing round the earth in a direction cast and west and erually distant at ever part from either pole.

belongs, that enables them to compute the sizes, and distances, and rates of motion of the numerous bodies known to them as belonging to the Solar System, with a most surprising degree of accuracy; the process employed yielding results equally certain and satisfactory as those methods of measurement and calculation which are most esteemed in conducting similar operations, among the every-day transactions of life.

The motion of Light next claims our consideration. Of the elementary constitution of light we must be content to confess our ignorance; of its physical effects we have the most decisive evidence throughout every part of the visible creation. We are now entering upon ground where we shall find that our comprehending faculties are more severely taxed than our believing faculties,-a distinction that is not, we fear, sufficiently understood. Some there are who affect to doubt, or disbelieve, whatever they cannot comprehend. A familiar example will indicate the folly, as well as the inconsistency, of such pretences. We believe, because experience and observation unanimously attest the fact, that food is necessary to the sustenance of life; but can we comprehend, in all their details, the processes by which food is converted into the dissimilar materials of which cur bodies are constructed? The wisest and the best of men are ever the most willing to avow the scantiness of their attainments. Surely a posture of deep humility is that which best becomes creatures whose breath is in their nostrils, and whose term of earthly existence is but as a hand-breadth.

"As quick as lightning" is a figurative expression descriptive of any very rapid movements. Until within the last 160 years, the passage of light was supposed to be instantaneous. It has, however, been satisfactorily ascertained, that, although light is propagated with prodigious rapidity, its motion is gradual. Light travels from the sun to the earth in about eight minutes, the mean distance being 95,000,000 (ninetyfive millions) of miles. The velocity of light is, therefore, in round numbers, equal to 192,000 (one hundred and ninety-two thousand) miles in each second of time!

The motion of Electricity is somewhat analogous to that of light; no perceptible interval of time being occupied by it in passing through the longest circuit. hitherto contrived, which was more than 4 miles in extent. Some recent experiments on this interesting subject, which are as beautiful in arrangement as they are ingenious in conception, seem to indicate that electricity is propagated through good conductors (as a copper wire) with greater velocity than that with which light proceeds through the planetary space, the motion of electricity being estimated as equal to 288,000 (two hundred and eighty-eight thousand) miles in a second.

Enough has been said to show that man, in his present state of infirmity, is capable of understanding and of appreciating only a few fragmentary portions of the wonderful works of his beneficent Creator. He is admonished and encouraged, however, to look forward to another state of being. There the immortal spirit, separated from its frail tenement of clay, shall put forth all its energies, advancing in knowledge through eternal ages, whilst contemplating the endless diversities of omniscient skill. To that world of holiness and of happiness, may the writer and the reader daily aspire! R. R

THE TOWN OF WÜRZBURG,

IN GERMANY.

WÜRZBURG, formerly the capital of the bishopric, and afterwards of the grand duchy, of the same name, and now the chief town of the Province, or Circle, of the Lower Maine, in the kingdom of Bavaria, is a large town built upon either bank of the River Maine. The Bishopric of Würzburg was founded, according to some authorities, in the year 741, by the archbishop of Mayence; the Gospel had been preached in that country, for the first time in the year 684, and among the converts to its doctrines was the reigning Duke of Franconia. Soon after the institution of the see, the son of that duke, who had succeeded to his father's inheritance, happened to die without issue; the fief reverted to the sovereign of whom it had been held-either Charlemagne or King Pepin, and was by him bestowed on the Bishops of Würzburg. The act of donation expressly recited that those prelates should be regarded always as Dukes of Franconia, and be entitled to all those rights and privileges which had belonged to the former holders of the duchy; and it was to mark the union of temporal and ecclesiastical authority which they thus acquired, that the bishops were afterwards in the habit of having a naked sword carried before them on all solemn occasions. The bishopric was dissolved at the commencement of the present century, and the territory attached to it passed under the dominion of the sovereign of Bavaria, in whose hands it was finally fixed in 1816.

Though the city of Würzburg itself can scarcely be called a fine one, its situation is represented to be extremely delightful; it stands in a hollow, with the valley of the Maine extending from east to west, on either side of it, and another valley stretching to the north of it. The river, which is here a noble, animated stream, divides the town into two portions; that on the right bank is the larger, and is the ancient Würzburg,—and that on the left bears the name of the Quarter of the Maine. A noble bridge, represented in the engraving, unites these two divisions; it consists of eight arches, and is 540 feet in length.

The architecture of the old town is irregular, and not marked by anything grand or beautiful; yet there are in that quarter some interesting buildings. The palace, formerly the residence of the bishop, and subsequently of the archduke of Würzburg, is an edifice of great extent; and the cathedral, which is the largest of the thirty-three churches of the town, is a fine building, remarkable for many curious monuments, and among others, for a Gothic pulpit of the most finished workmanship. The quarter of the Maine contains the fortress of Marienburg which stands upon a steep hill, 400 feet in height; there is nothing, however, very interesting in this edifice, if we except the view which it affords, and the ruins which it contains of an ancient round building which is supposed to have been a temple consecrated to one of the Scandinavian deities. The Great Julius Hospital, a noble establishment, stands in the old quarter of the city; it was founded in the sixteenth century, by the Prince-Bishop Julius, and called after his name. Besides this, the city contains twelve other hospitals, and several charitable institutions of various kinds. Würzburg is the seat of one of the three universities of Bavaria, the other two being fixed at Münich and Erlangen. The foundation of this establishment dates from the year 1403; in 1582 it was renovated, and its reputation greatly increased, under the auspices of the primate Julius, who introduced into its system

many judicious improvements, and enriched it with the gift of a museum, and other munificent donations. Since that period it has always maintained a very respectable position among the universities of Europe; at present it is chiefly remarkable for the excellence of its medical school, which affords considerable advantages to the student, not only from the abilities of its professors, but from its connexion with the Great Julius Hospital. In the esteem of the Catholics of the South of Germany, the university of Würzburg holds a favoured place; in its earlier years, indeed, it was little else than a school of Catholic theology and polemical divinity. Besides the collections of natural history, there is a library attached to the establishment; this consists of 30,000 volumes, and is spoken of as being admirably selected. It has been formed partly from donations, and partly from the libraries of suppressed monasteries. The number of professors and teachers is between thirty and forty; the students, at the commencement of the present year, amounted to 408. A diminution in the number of the latter seems to have taken place within the last few years; in 1831 they were 605, showing a decrease of very nearly one-third, in the space of four years. Würzburg, like Munich, is a Catholic university. The other Bavarian university, Erlangen, is a Protestant establishment.

Würzburg is still the seat of a bishopric; but the bishop of the present day is a very different personage from the Prince-Primate of former ages. He is strictly an ecclesiastical functionary, possessing no temporal dominion, but simply the spiritual authority of a suffragan to the Archbishopric of Munich; his income, which arises from estates and endowments, amounts to about 10,000 florins-between 9007. and 10007. of our money.

Besides its university, Würzburg has several minor establishments for education, and also several institutions for the promotion of literature and science. It has an academy of physics and medicine,—a gymnasium,-a polytechnic institute, or central school of industry, which had, several years ago, nearly a thousand pupils, and which has sent forth many excellent artisans,-a veterinary school,—an observatory, and a botanic garden.

The country around Würzburg is famous for the wines which it produces ;-its vineyards have been celebrated since the thirteenth century, as the best in the whole of that district which, under the old geographical division of Germany, was called the circle of Franconia. The celebrated Steinwein comes from the immediate neighbourhood of the city; the vineyards which yield it belong partly to the Julius Hospital, and so precious is the article itself that it is sold in the country at the rate of four shillings a bottle. The Leistenwein, which is also very famous, perhaps more so than the Steinwein, comes from the same place; the "real best," according to Reichard, is the produce of the vineyards growing upon the southern slope of the hill on which the fortress of Marienburg stands.

The manufactures of Würzburg are not of any extent; the whole of Bavaria, indced, is essentially an agricultural country. The only branch of mechanical industry in which its artisans have attained any remarkable skill, is the working of gold and silver; and in this they are held in great repute. The trade of this city is, however, of considerable importance, especially in that commodity which forms the staple produce of the neighbouring country-wine. Its situation is advantageous for the purposes of commerce, affording it a ready communication by the Maine and the Rhine, with northern Europe; and its share