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A POPULAR TREATISE

ON

Descriptive, Physical, and Practical Astronomy;

WITH

A FAMILIAR EXPLANATION OF ASTRONOMICAL INSTRUMENTS
AND THE BEST METHODS OF USING THEM.

BY

JOHN DREW, F.R.A.S.

DOCTOR IN PHILOSOPHY OF THE UNIVERSITY OF BÂLE;
AUTHOR OF "CHRONOLOGICAL CHARTS ILLUSTRATIVE OF ANCIENT
HISTORY AND GEOGRAPHY."

"Of all our pleasures in this world, that resulting from the contempla-
tion of the stupendous phenomena of nature is by far the most exciting
and the most intellectual."

Dr. SHUTTLEWORTH, late Bishop of Chichester.

Second Edition.

LONDON:

GEORGE BELL, 186 FLEET STREET.

1853.

184. c. 9.

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ΤΟ

SIR JOHN FREDERIC WILLIAM HERSCHEL, BART.

&c. &c. &c.

MY DEAR SIR,

You kindly permitted me to dedicate to you the first edition of this work. I trust you will find the present, in which I have attempted to explain in familiar language the elementary truths of that science with which the name of Herschel must ever be associated, superior to its predecessor; and I would fain hope that, from the perusal of this unpretending volume, not a few may be induced to study your valuable Treatise on the same subject, and be enabled to appreciate your labours in the promotion of astronomical science. With the most profound admiration of your scientific attainments, and respect for your character,

Believe me,

My dear Sir,

Yours very faithfully,

SOUTHAMPTON, May 1, 1853.

JOHN DREW.

PREFACE

TO THE SECOND EDITION.

THE object of this Treatise is to supply the student with a manual comprising a clear exposition of the most important truths of the science of Astronomy, and a familiar description of those instruments by whose aid astronomers have arrived at results, the correctness and certainty of which are a source of perpetual admiration.

Having spent the best years of his life in instructing others, the Author trusts that his attempt to simplify the principles of Astronomy has not been unsuccessful, and that his book will meet the wants of many who, without pursuing astronomical science to any great extent, are nevertheless anxious to obtain a general acquaintance with the phenomena of the heavens. In addition to the number of readers of this class

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