Jupiter's four attendants appear like small stars and of nearly equal size. The satellites are continually changing their places: sometimes they are all seen on one side of the planet; frequently three on one side and one on the other; and often two on each side, as shown in the woodcut. Sometimes only two or three are seen the others are then either immediately in front of the planet, or behind, when they are said to be eclipsed. In size, Jupiter's Moons are nearly the same as our Moon: one is a little smaller, and the other three a little larger. The first (that nearest the planet) is 2508 miles, the second 2068 miles, the third 3377 miles, and the fourth 2890 miles in diameter. Their distances from the planet are as follows:-the first 260,000 miles, the second 420,000 miles, the third 670,000 miles, and the fourth 1,180,000 miles. In performing their revolutions round Jupiter these Moons move at an amazing rate. The first satellite, which is about the same distance from Jupiter as our Moon is from this Earth, whisks round the planet in only 42 hours; the second, in 3 days, 13 hours; the third, in 7 days, 4 hours; and the fourth, in about 16 days. (The reader will find it interesting to compare these figures with the size, distance, and period of revolution of our Moon as given in the Hive for October, 1855). The inhabitants of Jupiter will have months of four different lengths; and eclipses of the Sun, and eclipses of their Moons, in great abundance-several hundreds every year. When a satellite passes between the Sun and Jupiter, the black shadow of the satellite can be easily seen on the planet with a good telescope. Those parts of the planet over which the shadow moves, will experience a total eclipse of the Sun. When the little Moon passes behind the planet it is then unable to receive light from the Sun-appears suddenly darkened, and is said to be eclipsed—an eclipse of the Moon. Jupiter's Belts.-When Jupiter is seen with a magnifying power of 60 or 70 times, it appears as large as our Moon when seen by the naked eye; but it does not appear so distinct, simply because the surface of Jupiter is covered with a thick atmosphere and clouds, which give its surface a hazy, ill-defined appearance. At first glance, with a powerful telescope, the planet appears covered with dark bands, or belts. These belts have been observed to change their appearance very suddenly; and we have never seen them alike two years in succession. They are always in the same direction—that is, in the direction in which the planet moves on its axis; and this supplies the key to a pretty easy explanation of their probable nature. The very rapid rotation of so large a ball on its axis, together with the effect of the Sun's rays, is supposed to cause a constant breeze in Jupiter's atmosphere, similar to the trade-winds, with which mariners are well acquainted on our own globe, and which always blow in nearly the same direction; the effect of this appears to be, to cause the clouds and vapours to arrange themselves in parallel lines. The dark belts are supposed to be the body of the planet seen through the openings of the clouds; and on these belts spots are sometimes seen, which are, no doubt, indications of mountains or seas. The rapid rotation of Jupiter has also caused it to assume a form different from a perfectly round ball. The parts midway between the poles or the equatorial regions, as they are called-are considerably bulged out like the head of a mop when rapidly whirled. Measured across at the equator, the diameter of Jupiter is 7000 miles more than its diameter from pole to pole. If our readers will examine the difference between an 8000 miles globe turning on its axis in 24 hours, (as is the case with our world) and an 87,000 miles globe turning round in only 10 hours, the explanation just advanced will be more easily understood. The bulging out, or oval form, here alluded to, can easily be detected when the planet is seen through a powerful telescope. Is Jupiter inhabited? What shall we say in reply to this question? Like Mars, Jupiter also appears to be covered with a thick atmosphere, and seems very well adapted for the reception of inhabitants little different from ourselves; they would receive light from the Sun as we do; and to compensate for their greater distance, have not less than four Moons to give them "light by night." The most ingenious arguments yet advanced by those who deny a plurality of inhabited worlds, have no real weight in the case of Jupiter. It seems, in fact, to be just as comfortable a dwelling-place as this Earth, and a great deal more spacious. We have no positive evidence to show that Jupiter is really inhabited, nor is it likely we ever shall; but with respect to the probability, we will assist our readers to decide that for themselves. Place a marble, one inch in diameter, beside a ball eleven inches in diameter; call the small one the Earth, and the large one, Jupiter. Other things being equal, the probability seems very much in favour of the large ball. We know that the small globe is inhabited. Why should we doubt that the greater one is also inhabited ? If our Earth was seen from the same distance as Jupiter (under similar circumstances), we know that it would appear so small, that it would be quite impossible to detect any marks on its surface, even with a good telescope; and compared with Jupiter, would appear like one of the white dots in the wood-cut-a mere dwarf, in fact. We firmly believe that no unprejudiced person can look at Jupiter through a powerful telescope without being persuaded that it is just as likely to be inhabited as any other member of the same family of planets. Some people say, that it is of no consequence to us to know whether these distant worlds are inhabited or not. From such narrow-minded people, we decidedly differ. We obtain much clearer views of our own true position in relation to the great system of Being, and more elevated ideas of the wisdom and power of God when we extend the sphere of His providence to our celestial neighbours-aye, and to a multitude of worlds beyond. We believe the principal planets, at least, are all inhabited; and shall continue to do so, until our belief is shaken by some stronger argument than any we have as yet met with. J. W. THE JUVENILE COMPANION. WITHOUT CHRIST. Some few years since, a youth, the son of pious parents in London, while under deep conviction of sin, said to the writer, while conversing with him, that he could “do without Christ." A short time after, he was brought by God's providence into a state of bodily weakness, and of bitter despairing anguish of soul, relieved only occasionally by a sullen and contemptuous indifference towards the God and Gospel of his parents' hopes and affection. At the request of his parents, the writer addressed him an impressive and affectionate letter, and such was the fearful character of his case (though but fourteen or fifteen years of age) that special prayer-meetings were held, on his behalf, by the Church of which his parents were marked and useful members As to the particular issue of that case of soulwar the writer has nothing, at present, to say, but would simply observe, O what a number of men have proved, while in the flesh, the felt wrath of “our God" to be a sure « consuming fire"--a fire that has consumed their esteemed and long-cherished but Christless hopes, and discovered to them by its lurid glare, the appalling danger of their character and condition. And, my dear young friend, while your eyes are reading this, are you reminded of thoughts similarly hazardous, that have been entertained by your sinful heart; and thoughts that, till this moment, have never witnessed a sincere and godly repentance? If so, then "be wise in time," for "canst thou yet believe the lie, that sin can do thy soul no harm?" Without Christ! O never. Sooner let the burning" orb of day" be paled, than that even one soul, and that soul yours, should prove that the rejected Christ of mercy, is transformed to the condemning Christ of judg ment. He has borne with your contempt, your imbruted and lustful passions, and your somewhat enlightened resistance, long enough, let this then be the moment that shall witness a happy reversal; pile no more of sin upon that towering and frowning mountain of iniquity that already offers to become a spiritually electric medium, for the exhaustion of that thunder cloud of Divine wrath which hangs in doom over every soul that is "condemned already (John iii. 18); but look away to the other mount-the mount of mercy-see the dying Saviour, amid the thickening darkness, and other arrears of sorrow and mourning, and while gazing, hear Him say, "I suffered this for thee," and then, upon your return from that scene of scenes, tell us, and let creation hear, whether you can reject and dispense with that treasure, so precious to God and His redeemed-the Lord's Christ; no, never! rather let your language be "Nay, but 1 yield—I yield! UNCLE EDWIN. CHILDHOOD'S TRUST. "SING, cousin, won't you?" "What shall I sing, darling?" "Happy land!" So I sang to little Minnie, until welcome sleep brought blank forgetfulness. Dear little Minnie! she had been violently sick that day. In the morning her cherry lips, so ever ready to dispense smiles and kisses, grew purple with sudden cold, her rosy cheeks turned white, her dimpled fingers clasped tightly the warm hand of her watchful mother, as she pillowed that aching head upon her bosom, and pressed the little shivering form to her heart. But sicker she grew and colder, as that ague-chill crept steadily on. At length it passed over. The bright, rich red came back into her full lips, brighter than before; roses again painted themselves on her round.cheeks, more brilliant and beautiful than ever. But the large eyes closed languidly, and the blue-veined temples throbbed |