We saw a system of systems, for
the broad features of clusters and streams and spiral windings marking
the general design were reproduced in every part. The whole was in
motion, each point shifting its position by miles every second, though
from the august magnitude of their distances from us and from each
other, it was only by the accumulated movements of years or of
generations that some small changes of relative position revealed
themselves.
THE WORK OF THE FUTURE.
The deciphering of this wonderfully intricate constitution of the
heavens would be undoubtedly one of the chief astronomical works of
the coming century. The primary task of the sun's motion in space,
together with the motions of the brighter stars, had been already put
well within our reach by the spectroscopic method of the measurement
of star motions in the line of sight. Astronomy, the oldest of the
sciences, had more than renewed her youth. At no time in the past had
she been so bright with unbounded aspirations and hopes. Never were
her temples so numerous, nor the crowd of her votaries so great.
The British Astronomical Association formed within the year numbered
already about 600 members.
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