Note E — Chapter V

I should, perhaps, qualify the statement in the text slightly in favor of a lunar lady to whom Mr. Henry M. Parkhurst first called my attention. About nine days after new moon a rather pretty and decidedly feminine face appears on the western half of the disk. It is formed by the mountains and table-lands embraced by the Sea of Serenity, the Sea of Tranquillity, the Sea of Vapors, etc., and is best seen with the aid of an opera-glass of low power. The face is readily distinguishable on Rutherfurd's celebrated photograph of the full moon. It is necessary for this purpose to turn the photograph upside down, since it is a telescopic picture, and consequently reversed. The crater Tycho forms a breastpin for the lady, and Menelaus glitters like a diamond ornament in her hair, while the range of the Apennines resembles a sort of coronet resting on her forehead. This same woman in the moon, it appears, was described by Dr. James Thompson years ago, and, for aught I know, she may be the Diana to whom Herrick sang:

"Queen and huntress chaste and fair, Seated in thy silver chair, Now the Sun is laid to sleep, State in wonted manner keep. Hesperus entreats thy light, Goddess excellently bright."