s
upon its disc. The continents would appear bright, and the ocean of a
darker hue, because water absorbs the greater part of the solar light
that falls upon it. The level plains, (excepting perhaps, such regions
as the Arabian deserts of sand) would appear of a somewhat darker
color than the more elevated and mountainous regions, as we find to be
the case on the surface of the moon. The islands would appear like
small bright specks on the darker surface of the ocean; and the lakes
and mediterranean seas like darker spots or broad streaks intersecting
the bright parts, or the land. By its revolution round its axis,
successive portions of the surface would be brought into view, and
present a different aspect from the parts which preceded,'--(Dick's
Celestial Scenery, 135.)

The form of the earth, and probably that of every other planet, is not
strictly spheroidal; that is, flattened a little at the poles, or
extremities of the axis. The diameter of the earth at the axis is 56
miles less than in the cross direction. This peculiarity of the form
is a consequence of the rotatory motion, as will be afterwards
explained.

[Illustration: LATEST NEWS]

=Late Foreign News.=

The steamer Hibernia arrived at Boston on Saturday last, thirteen days
from Liverpool.

The British Government and people have manifested so much violent
opposition to the marriage of the youngest son of Louis Phillipe to a
sister of the Queen of Spain, that the celebration of the nuptials has
been postponed for the present, if not forever; and there is apparent
danger of a rupture between England and France on this account.

In Spain, Don Carlos having escaped from imprisonment, it is expected
that a serious insurrection will immediately take place.

Property to the amount of $800,000 has been destroyed by incendiary
fires at Leipsic. A line of electric telegraph has been put in
operation between Brussels and Antwerp.

Twenty thousand bales of cotton were sold at Liverpool on the 14th of
September.

=Latest from the Army.=

According to recent intelligence by private letters, Gen. Kearney has
taken quiet possession of Santa Fe, notwithstanding the considerable
preparations which the Mexicans had made to defend it. Gen. Armijo had
assembled 5000 troops to defend the Canon Pass, but on account of the
disaffection and insubordination of his officers and men, he was
constrained to retreat on the approach of a few companies of
Americans.