fairly anticipate that each successive generation of astronomers,
through coming centuries, will obtain a little more light on the
subject--will be enabled to make more definite the boundaries of
our system of stars, and to draw more and more probable
conclusions as to the existence or non-existence of any object
outside of it. The wise investigator of to-day will leave to them
the task of putting the problem into a more positive shape.





V

MAKING AND USING A TELESCOPE


The impression is quite common that satisfactory views of the
heavenly bodies can be obtained only with very large telescopes,
and that the owner of a small one must stand at a great
disadvantage alongside of the fortunate possessor of a great one.
This is not true to the extent commonly supposed. Sir William
Herschel would have been delighted to view the moon through what
we should now consider a very modest instrument; and there are
some objects, especially the moon, which commonly present a more
pleasing aspect through a small telescope than through a large
one. The numerous owners of small telescopes throughout the
country might find their instruments much more interesting than
they do if they only knew what objects were best suited to
examination with the means at their command. There are many