THE TRANSIT OF VENUS.

Dunstan Times, Issue 655, 6 November 1874, Page 3

THE TRANSIT OF VENUS.

(to the editor of the duxstan times.) Sir,— lt is said that on the 9th of December of the present )car there will he a transit of Vomis across the sun’s disc and that, Venus will be very near the earth. So far so good, but has it struck any ordinary person to enquire how near that nearness will be, or do they already know how near she will be to this world of ours. If they have made no enquiries I will inform them, for lately, Venus has been severely blamed for the many changes that hava boon observed and experienced in the weather, in fact, I heard Venus blamed for blowing out Johnny Cox’s front—of course the front of his hotel. Ah ! well, yon must not expect any other kind of weather just now says Ato B. Why ?. Because it is all \ enus’ fault. After such a digression, let me return to the short distance between the earth and Venus, that is on the 9th of December. On that day she will be nearer to the earth than any other celestial body can approach, the moon only excepted, and the distance will bo twenty seven millions of miles, the moon being {distant from 237,000 to 240,000 miles—it is hardly necessary to explain why there should bo such a difference in the figures, f *r all'editors are supposed to know these things, and as a natural consequence subb iribers ought to know them. No doubt Mr Editor you will advise every oue to have all their glasses in order for that day, the day of the transit, but be sure and describe the glasses accurately, or else the local medicos will have a great deal to contend with, and when they ask for payment they will be informed, “ It’s all my eye.” The last transit took place in 1769. The forthcoming will bogin at 4a. m. of the 9th December.

On the 6th May 1878 there will be a transit of Mercury across the sun’s Rise. If you or your readers desire more of this sort of thing, you can be accommodated at a reasonable rate. Great saving by taking large quantities.

W ere you at Cromwell yesterday Mr Editor? I hear that it was a fearful day, Venus was unpropitious, but as yeu will very likely give us a long piece of information on the subject, 1 will close my note by asking the following questions : Will it be considered the correct thing to w;sh the people of Cromwell, after the completion of the Hospital—May your hos • pital be always full, or may your hospital be always empty? Which do you think will be the correct question to ask ? 1 have other questions to ask on several subjects, but will conclude now. I am, &c., Laurie Blair.