Dedication
To
THOSE YOUNG FRIENDS
WHO HAVE ATTENDED MY CHRISTMAS LECTURES
THIS LITTLE BOOK
IS DEDICATED
Preface to First Edition
It has long been the custom at the Royal Institution of Great Britain to provide each Christmastide a course of Lectures specially addressed to a juvenile audience.
On two occasions, namely, in 1881 and in 1887, the Managers entrusted this honorable duty to me. The second course was in the main a repetition of the first; and on my notes and recollections of both the present little volume has been founded.
I am indebted to my friends Rev. Maxwell Close, Mr. Arthur Rambaut, and Dr. John Todhunter for their kindness in reading the proofs.
ROBERT S. BALL.
Observatory,
Co. Dublin,
Oct. 22, 1889.