Pupil. I see it clearly.
Tutor. Move round one quarter.
Pupil. One half of the side next me is now enlightened.
Tutor. You may conceive it to be the moon at first quarter.—Go on, and you will see the light increase till the ball is opposite to the candle, when the side next you will be wholly illumined, and will give you a just idea of the moon at full, which now rises about the time of sun-setting, being opposite to the sun: and, the farther she advances in her orbit the later she rises.
Pupil. It is plain it must be so. She rises with the sun at change, being then in conjunction: and as she revolves in her orbit the same way as the earth does on its axis, the earth will have farther to revolve each day before it can see the moon. At the full she is in opposition, and of course rises when the sun sets: and so continues to rise later and later, till the change again.
Tutor. You imagine that the moon rises exactly with the sun when she is at change; and when he sets, at full. I will presently convince you of your mistake; and would have you now proceed with your ball. Place it again opposite to the candle, and as you turn round you will find the light gradually decrease as it before increased, that the side that was before enlightened is now dark, and the dark side light. When you have gone three quarters round, one half of the side next you will be enlightened, and will resemble the moon at last quarter. As you go on the darkened part will increase, till you arrive at the place you set off from, where the light is quite obscured.
Pupil. I have now completed the circuit, and am much delighted with it, as by this simple contrivance I can perceive the various changes of the moon, and that the western side is enlightened from the change to the full, and the eastern side from the full to the change.
Tutor. I find then it has fully answered the purpose intended.
Pupil. Indeed it has. But if you will give me leave I will use the ball again.
Tutor. By all means.