As full and frequent as the rain THE solar radiation, which was something more than twentyseven degrees in October, sinks to less than seven in this; a circumstance attributable, in some measure, to the cloudy state of the atmosphere, by which the rays of the sun are intercepted. The wind, which generally blows from the south-west, at intervals veers to the north. The evaporation is checked by the general dampness and the rain, which is more copious than in any month of the year, falling on half the number of days. In this and the preceding month, but most in the present, the depressions of temperature occur which bring on the cold of winter in our climate. With regard to frosts, this month has eleven or twelve nights, on an average, on which the thermometer is at or below the freezing-point. A certain writer, speaking of November, says, "We often hear our neighbours, when wrought upon by the melancholy influences of this month, indulge in a general complaint against the changeable and often dismal character of our climate. As to the variable disposition affecting our comfort, it may be remarked, that the professed admirers of hot, cold, or dry weather, begin, after a duration of their favourite kind, to wish for a change. We see, therefore, that a liability to change is not, practically speaking, the disagreeable part of our atmosphere. And as to the effect which gloomy weather may have upon the spirits, there is a majority of cases in which occcasional fits of melancholy are conducive to the permanence of health and length of life. We have reason, therefore, to be thankful that the same sky which keeps the heat from escaping, and thus calling for winter before its time, puts a check upon the dissipation of our animal spirits, by which, under the blessing of God, old age and ill-health are removed to a greater distance from us." The first half of the month.-Although the swallow-tribes have left our island, and the summer warblers, with the nightingale, their chief, have taken their flight to more congenial climes till lovely spring revisits Albion's plains, yet we have several interesting birds abiding with us, and attracting our attention. The yellow-hammer, arrayed in beautiful plumage, may be observed flitting along the hedge-rows, and crowding the farmer's stack-yard, to which it is attracted by the scattered corn. The chaffinch, another pretty bird, is very frequently seen in the neighbourhood of farm-houses, &c. Various birds arrive from the north at this time. Insects begin now to be scarce, though much depends upon the weather. Wild flowers are diminishing very fast, though here and there a beautiful blossom lifts its head as if to arrest our notice. Along the banks of rivulets we may occasionally meet with the faded bloom of our little favourite, the forget-me-not: its summer beauties are still deeply impressed on our minds. "Forget thee? remembrance in death will be shaded, If the weather prove fine (considering the season of the year) several pretty autumnal plants may be seen to ornament our gardens, and may lead us to admire the wisdom and goodness of God. The last half of the month.-Large flocks of redwings and fieldfares are seen feeding on haws and other fruits, which Providence has provided for them. The woodcock arrives from the north, and the very latest of our summer-birds by this time have entirely disappeared. "Among the rarer birds which now visit our coast may be noticed the great northern diver. This beautiful species, so destructive among fishes, is a native of the polar regions, and also of Norway, Sweden, and Russia. It is remarkable that those found in the bays of Scotland, and the northern portions of our island, are all, or nearly all, the young of the year, in that state of plumage in which the older naturalists considered them to form a distinct species. Adult birds, having the plumage of the upper parts tesselated with square white spots on a black ground, are very seldom to be seen. The Frith of Forth is a favourite resort of these young divers, in consequence of the shoals of herrings which congregate there, and furnish a sumptuous repast also for other oceanic birds. The propensity of the young to wander to a greater distance than the adults from their native shores, which is remarkable in the instance of the northern diver, is common to many other species."-Sights in Autumn. Few insects are now abroad, and these are chiefly moths; and a few flies, such as gnats, which the feeble rays of the meridian sun call forth to dance in the open air. The shores of the ocean still afford considerable attraction to the lover of nature. The mighty waves throw up, on each returning tide, fragments of zoophytes, torn from their native rocks, shells, and other treasures of the deep, all of which deserve careful examination. A single shell may afford much pleasure. A celebrated poet says,— "I have seen A curious child, who dwelt upon a tract Of ebb and flow, and ever-during power." WORDSWORTH. The beauty of the garden, but more especially the greenhouse, at this season, is the Chinese gold-flower, of which we have numerous varieties; all imported at much expense from China till within the last few years, when several new varieties were produced from seeds gathered in this country. But we must not forget the stately chrysanthemum, with its varied hues, which never fails to cheer us with its lively blossoms till the iron hand of frost destroys them. BRIEF ASTRONOMICAL NOTICES, FOR NOVEMBER, 1847. BY MR. WILLIAM ROGERSON, of the Royal Observatory, Greenwich. "I LOVE to rove amidst the starry height, On eagle pinions, swifter than the wind: Where, lost to human sight, remote they run. And how she borrows from the Sun her light. "WHAT a scene of wonder is presented to view when we contemplate the motions incessantly going forward throughout creation ; that thousands of globes, much larger than our world, are winging their flight with unremitting speed, through the regions of immensity, at a rate which overwhelms the human imagination! What an astonishing idea does this convey of the energies of the eternal Divinity, who at first launched this earth and all the planetary globes from his powerful hand! He only 'spake, and it was done;' and for thousands of years such motions have been continued without intermission! Well may we exclaim with the inspired writers, Who can by searching find out God?' 'Who can utter the mighty acts of the Lord? Who can show forth all his praise?"-Dr. Dick. The SUN rises at Greenwich, London, and neighbourhood, on the 1st at fifty-five minutes after six, and sets at thirty-two minutes past four on the 10th he rises at ten minutes past seven, and sets at nineteen minutes after four; and on the 27th this bright luminary appears in the eastern horizon at thirty-nine minutes after seven, and descends below the western verge at fifty-six minutes past three. Informer of the planetary train ! Without whose quick'ning glance their cumbrous orbs The MOON rises on the 2d at four minutes before one in the morning she rises on the 4th at three o'clock, and on the 6th at five minutes after five. The Moon changes on the 8th, at eleven minutes past three in the morning; and presents her crescent near the south-western horizon in the evening of the 10th: she sets on the 11th at seven o'clock, and on the 13th at nine, in the evening. The Moon is half-full on the 15th, and is due south on the 16th at ten minutes before seven in the evening, and on the 19th at halfpast nine at night: she is full on the 22d, at four minutes past ten in the forenoon; and rises on the 23d, "arrayed in glory and enthroned in light," at half an hour after five in the evening. The Moon, gliding in her orbit round the Earth, rises on the 25th at twenty-seven minutes past seven, and on the 27th at about a quarter before ten: she enters on her last quarter on the 29th, and rises at forty-seven minutes past eleven at night. MERCURY is unfavourably situated for observation during this month. VENUS is now a very splendid object in the eastern skies before sunrise her lustre is such as must arrest every person's attention. I find she rises on the 1st at thirty-eight minutes past three; and during the whole month is above the horizon long before four o'clock. On the 4th she is near the Moon. MARS is now very conspicuous in the eastern skies after sunset, as he has just been in opposition to the Sun, and, consequently, is now near the Earth. He appears as large as Jupiter; but owing to his ruddy hue he cannot be mistaken for the latter planet. On the 20th he is not far from the Moon. JUPITER rises at the beginning of the month before nine o'clock at night: he rises on the 10th at eight, and at the end of the month he appears above the eastern horizon at seven o'clock. On the 25th and 26th this beautiful star is in the neighbourhood of the Moon. SATURN is favourably situated for observation every clear evening he is due south on the 14th at seven o'clock, and at the end of the month one hour earlier. SOLAR SPOTS.-Persons who have telescopes, if only of moderate power, having dark glasses for shielding the eye from the intense brightness of the Sun, may be greatly entertained by surveying the solar spots. Being on a visit to my astronomical friend, Mr. Moses Holden, at Preston, in Lancashire, on the 20th of September, 1847, I saw, through one of his excellent achromatic telescopes, the largest group of spots I ever saw in my life, occupying one-sixth part of the Sun's diameter! It was then passing towards the western edge of the Sun. Cloudy weather interrupted our further observation. This group of spots, after traversing the Sun in October, may be expected to re-appear on the solar disc about the 6th of November, and remain visible till about the 20th. This, I am inclined to think, will be followed by another group of spots, which may probably be seen till the end of the month. POETRY. THE THREE CROWNS. BY AMANDA M. EDMOND. (American.) THE minster-bells peal'd loud and long As gather'd there a noble throng, A gay and courtly train, To celebrate with proud array A Monarch's coronation-day. Around the royal brow was placed, Amid the stately ring, As rich a crown as ever graced The head of Eastern King; With glittering gold and costly gem, Few years have roll'd their rapid flight Ere glory's sun went down in night, A traitor cut the Monarch down,- Fresh from the gory battle-plain, I saw a victor come, And follow'd him a martial train, |