Newton has computed that the sun's heat in the comet of 1680,2 was, to his heat with us at Midsummer, as twenty-eight thousand to one; and that the heat of the body of the comet was near two thousand times as great as that of red-hot iron. The same great author also calculates, that a globe of red-hot iron, of the dimensions of our earth, would scarce be cool in fifty thousand years. If then the comet be supposed to cool a hundred times as fast as red-hot iron, yet, since its heat was two thousand times greater, supposing it of the bigness of the earth, it would not be cool in a million of years.

An elegant writer in the Guardian, says, "I cannot forbear reflecting on the insignificance of human art, when set in comparison with the designs of Providence. In pursuit of this thought, I considered a comet, or in the language of the vulgar, a blazing star, as a sky-rocket discharged by a hand that is Almighty. Many of my readers saw that in the year 1680, and if they were not mathematicians, will be amazed to hear, that it travelled with a much greater degree of swiftness than a cannon ball, and drew after it a tail of fire that was fourscore millions of miles in length. What an amazing thought is it to consider this stupendous body traversing the immensity of the creation with such a rapidity; and at the same time wheeling about in that line which the Almighty had prescribed for it! That it should move in such inconceivable fury and combustion, and at the same time with such an exact regularity! How spacious must the universe be, that gives such bodies as these their full play, without suffering the least disorder or confusion by it. What a glorious show are those beings entertained with, that can look into this great theatre of nature, and see myriads of such tremendous objects wandering through those immeasurable depths of ether, and running their appointed courses! Our eyes may hereafter be strong enough to command the magnificent prospect, and our understandings able to find out the several uses of these great parts of the universe. In the meantime, they are very proper objects for our imagination to contemplate, that we may form more extensive notions of infinite wisdom and power, and learn to think humbly of ourselves, and of all the little works of human invention." Seneca saw three comets, and says, "I am not of the common opinion, nor do I take a comet to be a sudden fire; but esteem it among the eternal works of nature."

P.T.W

SONNETS

BY LEIGH CLIFFE, AUTHOR OF "PARGA," "THE KNIGHTS OF RITZBERG," &c

(For the Mirror.)

TO THE SUN

Hail to thee, fountain of eternal light, Streaming with dewy radiance in the sky! Rising like some huge giant from the night, While the dark shadows from thy presence fly. Enshrin'd in mantle of a varied dye, Thou hast been chambering in the topmost clouds, List'ning to peeping, glist'ning stars on high, Pillow'd upon their thin, aërial shrouds; But when the breeze of dawn refreshfully Swept the rude waters of the ocean flood, And the dark pines breath'd from each leaf a sigh, To wake the sylvan genius of the wood, Thou burst in glory on our dazzled sight, In thy resplendent charms, a flood of golden light!

TO THE MOON

Spirit of heaven! shadow-mantled queen, In mildest beauty peering in the sky, Radiant with light! 'Tis sweet to see thee lean, As if to listen, from cloud-worlds on high, Whilst murmuring nightingales voluptuously Breathe their soft melody, and dew-drops lie Upon the myrtle blooms and oaken leaves, And the winds sleep in sullen peacefulness! Oh! it is then that gentle Fancy weaves The vivid visions of the soul, which bless The poet's mind, and with sweet phantasies, Like grateful odours shed refreshfully From angels' wings of glistening beauty, tries To waken pleasure, and to stifle sighs!

EMBLEM OF WALES

(For the Mirror.)

It is supposed by some of the Welsh, and in some notes to a poem the author (Mr. P. Lewellyn) says he has been confidently assured, that the leek, as is generally supposed to be, is not the original emblem of Wales, but the sive, or chive, which is common to almost every peasant's garden. It partakes of the smell and taste of the onion and leek, but is not so noxious, and is much handsomer than the latter. It grows in a wild state on the banks of the Wye, infinitely larger than when planted in gardens. According to the above-mentioned author, the manner in which it became the national emblem of Cambria was as follows:—As a prince of Wales was returning victorious from battle, he wished to have some leaf or flower to commemorate the event; but it being winter, no plant or shrub was seen until they came to the Wye, when they beheld the sive, which the prince commanded to be worn as a memorial of the victory.

Tipton, Staffordshire.

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The Mirror of Literature, Amusement, and Instruction. Volume 12, No. 336, October 18, 1828

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THOMSON

P.T.W

SONNETS

BY LEIGH CLIFFE, AUTHOR OF "PARGA," "THE KNIGHTS OF RITZBERG," &c

TO THE SUN

TO THE MOON

EMBLEM OF WALES

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