and greatly resembled it in all particulars, is it not possible, nay

certain, that this last is the Autumnal Equi--"

O-o-o!" "O-o-o! go to bed! go to bed!" with annoyed derision from

everybody. So the poor old Woodlouse retreated out of sight, consumed

with shame.

Further discussion followed, and then the united voice of the commission

begged Lord Longlegs to speak. He said:

"Fellow-scientists, it is my belief that we have witnessed a thing which

has occurred in perfection but once before in the knowledge of created

beings. It is a phenomenon of inconceivable importance and interest,

view it as one may, but its interest to us is vastly heightened by an

added knowledge of its nature which no scholar has heretofore possessed

or even suspected. This great marvel which we have just witnessed,

fellow-savants (it almost takes my breath away), is nothing less than the

transit of Venus!"

Every scholar sprang to his feet pale with astonishment. Then ensued

tears, handshakings, frenzied embraces, and the most extravagant

jubilations of every sort. But by and by, as emotion began to retire

within bounds, and reflection to return to the front, the accomplished

Chief Inspector Lizard observed:

But how is this? Venus should traverse the sun's surface, not the

Sketches New and Old