The Rollo Series (Paperback)

This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated.1855 Excerpt: ... CHAPTER VII. THE DEW-DROP. They rode a short distance in silence, admiring the freshness and beauty which the whole landscape exhibited after the shower. After a pause of some moments, Rollo said, --" I'm sure I don't understand how we can see so many rainbows in the sky, and yet there be none there." " It does appear rather paradoxical, I confess," said Miss Mary. " Paradoxical " repeated Lucy. " What does that mean? " "Any thing that is apparently contradictory or impossible is said to be paradoxical," replied Miss Mary. " I think that this is really impossible," said Lucy. " I suppose it must seem so to you," replied Miss Mary; " and I don't suppose that I shall be able to satisfy your minds about it, but what I said is true, notwithstanding. At least I have no doubt of it myself." " Why, how can we possibly see so many rainbows in the sky," said Rollo, " unless there are some there? " " There is nothing in the sky, or rather in the air, but the drops of rain," replied Miss Mary. " Every drop of rain reflects the rays of the sun in such a manner as to produce a number of colors. When we stand in a certain position, we see these colors. If there was only one drop of rain in the sky, and the sun was shining on it, it would produce colors. But then the rays of colors would not all go off from the drop together. The red rays would go off in one direction, and the orange rays in another, and the yellow rays in another, and the violet in another, and so on with them all. " So you perceive," continued Miss Mary, " we could not see all these colors from one drop at the same time. If we were to hold our eye where the violet rays come, then the drop would look of a violet color. If we then move our eyes to the place where the blue rays come, then the drop would lo...