"Is he ever exactly south of us?"
"When he is exactly south of us, or in other words, exactly opposite to us, in his course round the earth, he is said to be in our meridian. For the word meridian means a line drawn exactly north or south from any place."
There is no limit to the simplicity which may be imparted, even to the most difficult subjects, by subdividing the steps. This point for instance, the meaning of meridian, may be the subject, if it were necessary, of many questions, which would render it simple to the youngest child. The teacher may point to the various articles in the room, or buildings, or other objects without, and ask if they are or are not in his meridian. But to proceed:
"When the sun is exactly opposite to us, in the south, at the highest point to which he rises, what o'clock is it?"
"When the sun is exactly opposite to us, can he be opposite to the Rocky Mountains?"
"Does he get opposite to the Rocky Mountains, before, or after, he is opposite to us?"
"When he is opposite to the Rocky Mountains, what o'clock is it there?"
"Is it twelve o'clock here, then, before, or after it is twelve o'clock there?"
"Suppose the river Mississippi is fifteen degrees from us, how long is it twelve o'clock here, before it is twelve o'clock there?"
"When it is twelve o'clock here then, what time will it be there?"