So I guess the mnemonic could have been very different: My Very Excellent Mother Just Served Him . . . .
Which would have tied nicely into the male-centric view espoused in this line: "In the center of the solar system is placed the sun, like the father of the family, surrounded by bodies dependent on his emanations, called planets . . . " (Bryan 88).
But hey, I'm just surprised by the fact they have articles on astronomy in a lady's magazine anyway. Or that they think astronomy is "elegant and useful" knowledge for female readers (Bryan 88). Especially considering that the original lecture came from a woman no less! Huh, go figure.
Cites:
- Bryan. "Lectures on Natural Philosophy: The Result of Many Years' Experience of the Facts Elucidated" [Excerpt]. Rpt. in "On Astronomy: The Solar System Explained, &c." La Belle Assemblee 3 June 1807: 88-91. Google Book Edition.
- "William Herschel." Wikipedia: The Free Encyclopedia. Wikimedia Foundation, n.d. Web. 12 Sept. 2012.
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