The Wit and Humor of America, Volume V. (of X.) 20 – Anonymous · Verses Across
Literature · Humor
The Wit and Humor of America, Volume V. (of X.) 20Mercury
18
Literature · Humor
The Wit and Humor of America, Volume V. (of X.) 20
Mercury
AnonymousEnglish
This planet, with the exception of the asteroids, is the smallest of the system. It is the nearest to the Sun, and, in consequence, can not be seen (on account of the Sun's superior light), except at its greatest eastern and western elongations, which occur in March and April, August and September, when it may be seen for a short time immediately after sunset and shortly before sunrise. It then appears like a star of the first magnitude, having a white twinkling light, and resembling somewhat the star Regulus in the constellation Leo. The day in Mercury is about ten minutes longer than ours, its year is about equal to three of our months. It receives six and a half times as much heat from the Sun as we do; from which we conclude that the climate must be very similar to that of Fort Yuma, on the Colorado River. The difficulty of communication with Mercury will probably prevent its ever being selected as a military post; though it possesses many advantages for that purpose, being extremely inaccessible, inconvenient, and, doubtless, singularly uncomfortable. It receives its name from the God, Mercury, in the Heathen Mythology, who is the patron and tutelary Divinity of San Diego County.
Spotted a mistake or have an idea?
Literature · Humor
The Wit and Humor of America, Volume V. (of X.) 21
