concerning the bodily Senſes of theſe Planetary Perſons; for without
ſuch, neither will Life be any Pleaſure to them, nor Reaſon of any Uſe.
And I think it very probable, that all their Animals, as well their
Beaſts as rational Creatures, are like ours in all that relates to the
Senſes: For without the Power of Seeing we ſhould find it impoſſible
for Animals to provide Food for themſelves, or be ſore-warn’d of any
approaching Danger, ſo as to guard themſelves from it. So that
where-ever we plant any Animals, except we wou’d have them lead the
Life of Worms or Moles, we muſt allow them Sight; than which nothing
can conduce more either to the Preſervation or Pleaſure of their Lives.
Then if we conſider the wonderful Nature of Light, and the [Sight.]
amazing Artifice in the fit framing the Eye for the Reception of it, we
cannot but ſee that Bodies ſo vaſtly remote could not be perceived by
us in their proper Figures and juſt Diſtances, any other way than by
Sight. For this Senſe, and all others that we know of, muſt proceed
from an external Motion. Which in the ſenſe of Seeing muſt come either
from the Sun, the fix’d Stars, or Fire: whoſe Particles being put into
a very quick Motion, communicate it to the Celeſtial Matter about,
whence ’tis convey’d in a very ſhort time to the moſt diſtant parts,
juſt like Sound through the Air. If it were not for this Motion of the
intermediate Ætherial Matter, we ſhould be all in Darkneſs, and have
Sight neither of Sun nor Stars, nor any thing elſe, for all other Light
muſt come to us by Reflection from them. This Motion perceived by the
Eyes is called Light. And the nice Curioſity of this Perception is
admirable, in that it is cauſed by the ſmalleſt Particles of the
luminous Body brought to us by that fine Matter, which at the ſame time
determine the Coaſt from whence the Motion comes; and in that all theſe
different Roads of Motion, theſe Waves croſſing and interfering with
one another, are yet no hindrance to every one’s free Paſſage. All
theſe Things are ſo wiſely, ſo wonderfully contrived, that it’s above
the Power of humane Wit, to invent or frame any thing like them; nay,
it is very difficult ſo much as to imagine and comprehend them. For
what can be more amazing, than that one ſmall Part of the Body ſhould
be ſo deviſed and framed, as by its means to ſhow us the Shape, the
Poſition, the Diſtance, and all the Motions, nay, and all the Colours,
of a Body that is far remote from us, that it may appear the more
diſtinct? And then the artful Compoſition of the Eye, drawing an exact
Picture of the Objects without it, upon the concave Side of the
Choroides, is even above all Admiration, nor is there any Thing in
which God has more plainly manifeſted his excellent Geometry. And theſe
Things are not only contriv’d and fram’d with ſo great Wiſdom and
Skill, as not to admit of better, but to any one that conſiders them
attentively, they ſeem to be of ſuch a Nature as not to allow any other
Method. For it’s impoſſible that Light ſhould repreſent Objects to us
at ſo vaſt a diſtance, except by ſuch an intervening Motion; and it’s
as impoſſible that any other Compoſition of the Eye ſhould be equally
fitted to the Reception of ſuch Impreſſions. So that I cannot but think
them greatly miſtaken, that maintain theſe Things might have been
contrived many other Ways. It’s likely then, and credible, that in
theſe Things the Planets have an exact correſpondence with us, and that
their Animals have the ſame Organs, and uſe the ſame way of Sight that
we do. They muſt have Eyes therefore, and two at leaſt we muſt grant
them, otherwiſe they would not perceive thoſe Things cloſe to them, nor
hardly be able to walk about with Safety. And if we muſt allow them to
all Animals for the Preſervation of their Life, how much more muſt they
that make more, and more noble Uſes of them, not be deprived of the
Bleſſing of ſo advantageous Members? For by them we view the various
Flowers, and the elegant Features of Beauty: with them we read, we
write, we contemplate the Heavens and Stars, and meaſure their
Diſtances, Magnitudes, and Journeys: which how far they are common to
the Inhabitants of thoſe Worlds with us, I ſhall preſently examine. But
firſt I ſhall enquire whether now we have given them one, we ought alſo
to give them the other [Hearing.] four Senſes. And indeed as to Hearing
many Arguments perſwade me to give it a Share in the Animals of thoſe
new Worlds. For ’tis of great conſequence in defending us from ſudden
Accidents; and, eſpecially when Seeing is of no uſe to us, it ſupplies
its Place, and gives us ſeaſonable warning of any imminent Danger.
Beſides, we ſee many Animals call their Fellow to them with their
Voice, which Language may have more in it than we are aware of, tho’ we
don’t underſtand it. But if we do but conſider the vaſt Uſes and
neceſſary Occaſions of Speaking on the one ſide, and Hearing on the
other, among thoſe Creatures that make uſe of their Reaſon, it will
ſcarce ſeem credible that two ſuch uſeful, ſuch excellent Things were
deſigned only for us. For how is it poſſible but that they that are
without theſe, muſt be without many other Neceſſaries and Conveniences
of Life? Or what can they have to recompenſe this Want? Then, if we go
ſtill farther, and do but meditate upon the neat and frugal Contrivance
of Nature in making the ſame Air, by the drawing in of which we live,
by whoſe Motion we ſail, and by whoſe Means Birds fly, for a Conveyance
of Sound to our Ears; and this Sound for the Conveyance of another
Man’s Thoughts to our Minds: Can we ever imagine that ſhe has left
thoſe other Worlds deſtitute of ſo vaſt [A Medium to convey Sound to
the Ears.] Advantages? That they don’t want the Means of them is
certain, for their having Clouds in Jupiter puts it paſt doubt that
they have Air too; that being moſtly formed of the Particles of Water
flying about, as the Clouds are of them gathered into ſmall Drops. And
another Proof of it is, the neceſſity of breathing for the preſervation
of Life, a Thing that ſeems to be as univerſal a Dictate of Nature, as
feeding upon the Fruits of the Earth.
[Touch.]
As for Feeling, it ſeems to be given upon neceſſity to all Creatures
that are cover’d with a fine and ſenſible Skin, as a Caution againſt
coming too near thoſe Things that may injure or incommode them: and
without it they would be liable to continual Wounds, Blows and Bruiſes.
Nature ſeems to have been ſo ſenſible of this, that ſhe has not left
the leaſt place free from ſuch a Perception. Therefore it’s probable
that the Inhabitants of thoſe Worlds are not without ſo neceſſary a
Defence, and ſo fit a Preſervative againſt Dangers and Miſhaps.
[Smell and Taſte.]
And who is there that doth not ſee the inevitable neceſſity for all
Creatures that live by feeding to have both Taſte and Smell, that they
may diſtinguiſh thoſe Things that are good and nouriſhing, from thoſe
that are miſchievous and harmful? If therefore we allow the Planetary
Creatures to feed upon Herbs, Seeds, or Fleſh, we muſt allow them Taſte
and Smell, that they may chuſe or refuſe any Thing according as they
find it likely to be advantageous or noxious to them.
I know that it hath been a Queſtion with many, whether there might not
have been more Senſes than theſe five. [Their Senſes not very different
from ours.] If we ſhould allow this, it might nevertheleſs be
reaſonably doubted, whether the Senſes of the Planetary Inhabitants are
much different from ours. I muſt confeſs, I cannot deny but there might
poſſibly have been more Senſes; but when I conſider the Uſes of thoſe
we have, I cannot think but they would have been ſuperfluous. The Eye
was made to diſcern near and remote Objects, the Ear to give us notice
of what our Eyes could not, either in the Dark or behind our Back: Then
what neither the Eye nor the Ear could, the Noſe was made (which in
Dogs is wonderfully nice) to warn us of. And if any thing eſcapes the
notice of the other four Senſes, we have Feeling to inform us of the
too near Approaches of it before it can do us any miſchief. Thus has
Nature ſo plentifully, ſo perfectly provided for the neceſſary
preſervation of her Creatures here, that I think ſhe can give nothing
more to thoſe there, but what will be needleſs and ſuperfluous. Yet the
Senſes were not wholly deſigned for uſe: but Men from all, and all
other Animals from ſome of them, reap Pleaſure as well as Profit, as
from the Taſte in delicious Meats; from the Smell in Flowers and
Perfumes; from the Sight in the Contemplation of beauteous Shapes and
Colours; from the Hearing in the Sweetneſs and Harmony of Sounds; from
the Feeling in Copulation, unleſs you pleaſe to count that for a
particular Senſe by it ſelf. [They have Pleaſure ariſing from the
Senſes.] Since it is thus, I think ’tis but reaſonable to allow the
Inhabitants of the Planets theſe ſame Advantages that we have from
them. For upon this Conſideration only, how much happier and eaſier a
Man’s Life is rendred by the enjoyment of them, we muſt be obliged to
grant them theſe Bleſſings, except we would engroſs every thing that is
good to our ſelves, as if we were worthier and more deſerving than any
elſe. But moreover, that Pleaſure which we perceive in Eating or in
Copulation, ſeems to be a neceſſary and provident Command of Nature,
whereby it tacitly compels us to the preſervation and continuance of
our Life and Kind. It is the ſame in Beaſts. So that both for their
Happineſs and Preſervation it’s very probable the reſt of the Planets
are not without it. Certainly when I conſider all theſe Things, how
great, noble, and uſeful they are; when I conſider what an admirable
Providence it is that there’s ſuch a Thing as Pleaſure in the World, I
can’t but think that our Earth, the ſmalleſt part almoſt of the
Univerſe, was never deſign’d to monopolize ſo great a Bleſſing. And
thus much for thoſe Pleaſures which affect our bodily Senſes, but have
little or no relation to our Reaſon and Mind. But there are other
Pleaſures which Men enjoy, which their Soul only and Reaſon can reliſh:
Some airy and brisk, others grave and ſolid, and yet nevertheleſs
Pleaſures, as ariſing from the Satisfaction which we feel in Knowledge
and Inventions, and Searches after Truth, of which whether the
Planetary Inhabitants are not partakers, we ſhall have an opportunity
of enquiring by and by. There
There are ſome other things to be conſider’d firſt, in which it’s
probable they have ſome relation to us. That the Planets have thoſe
Elements of Earth, Air and Water, as well as we, I have already made
not unlikely. Let us now ſee whether they may not have Fire alſo: which
is not ſo properly call’d an Element, as a very quick Motion of the
Particles in the inflammable [All the Planets have Fire.] Body. But be
it what it will, there are many Arguments for their not being without
it. For this Earth is not ſo truly call’d the Place of Fire as the Sun:
and as by the Heat of that all Plants and Animals here thrive and live;
ſo, no doubt, it is in the other Planets. Since then Fire is cauſed by
a moſt intenſe and vigorous Heat, it follows that the Planets,
eſpecially thoſe nearer the Fountain of it, have their proportionate
degrees of Heat and Fire. And ſince there are ſo many ways of its
Production, as by the collection of the Rays of the Sun, by the
reflection of Mirrors, by the ſtriking of Flint and Steel, by the
rubbing of Wood, by the cloſe loading of moiſt Graſs, by Lightning, by
the eruptions of Mountains and Volcanos, it’s ſtrange if neither Art
ſhould have produced it, nor Nature effected it there by one of theſe
many means. Then how uſeful and neceſſary is it to us? By it we drive
away Cold, and ſupply the want of the Sun in thoſe Countries where his
oblique Rays make a leſs vigorous Impreſſion, and ſo keep a great part
of the Earth from being an uninhabited Deſert: which is equally
neceſſary in all the Planets, whether we allow them Succeſſion of
Seaſons, or a perpetual Spring and Æquinox: for even then the Countries
near the Pole would receive but little Advantage from the Heat of the
Sun. By the help of this we turn the Night into Day, and thereby make a
conſiderable addition to the ſhortneſs of our Lives. Upon all theſe
Accounts we ought not to think this Earth of ours enjoy it all alone,
and exclude all the other Planets from ſo advantageous and ſo
profitable a Gift.
But perhaps it may be asked as well concerning Brutes as rational
Creatures, and of their Plants and Trees too, whether they are
proportionably [The bigneſs of their Creatures not rightly gueſt at by
the bigneſs of the Planets.] larger or leſs than ours. For if the
Magnitude of the Planets was to be the Standard of their meaſure, there
would be Animals in Jupiter ten or fifteen times larger than Elephants,
and as much longer than our Whales, and then their Men muſt be all
Giants in reſpect to us. Now tho’ I don’t ſee any ſo great Abſurdity in
this as to make it impoſſible, yet there is no reaſon to think it is
really ſo, ſeeing Nature has not always ty’d her ſelf to thoſe Rules
which we have thought more convenient for her: For example, the
Magnitude of the Planets is not anſwerable to their diſtances from the
Sun; but Mars, tho’ more remote, is far leſs than Venus: and Jupiter
turns round his Axis in ten Hours, when the Earth which is much leſs
than him, ſpends 24. But ſince Nature, perhaps ſome will ſay, has not
obſerved ſuch a Regularity in the proportion of Things, for ought we
know there may be only a Race of Pygmies about the Bigneſs of Frogs and
Mice, poſſeſs’d of the Planets. But I ſhall ſhow that this is very
improbable by and by.
[In the Planets are ſorts of rational Creatures as well as here.]
There may ariſe another Queſtion, whether there be in the Planets but
one ſort of rational Creatures, or if there be not ſeveral ſorts
poſſeſſed of different degrees of Reaſon and Senſe. There is ſomething
not unlike this to be obſerved among us. For to paſs by thoſe who have
human Shape (altho’ ſome of them would very well bear that Enquiry too)
if we do but conſider ſome ſorts of Beaſts, as the Dog, the Ape, the
Beaver, the Elephant, nay ſome Birds and Bees, what Senſe and
Underſtanding they are maſters of, we ſhall be forced to allow, that
Man is not the only rational Animal. For we diſcover ſomewhat in them
of Reaſon independent on, and prior to all Teaching and Practice.
But ſtill no Body can doubt, but that the Underſtanding and Reaſon of
Man is to be preferr’d to theirs, as being comprehenſive of innumerable
Things, indued with an infinite memory of what’s paſt, and capable of
providing againſt what’s to come. That there is ſome ſuch Species of
rational Creatures in the other Planets, which is the Head and
Sovereign of the reſt, is very reaſonable to believe: for otherwiſe,
were many Species endued with the ſame Wiſdom and Cunning, we ſhould
have them always doing Miſchief, always quarrelling and fighting one
with another for Empire and Sovereignty, a Thing that we feel too much
of where we have but one ſuch Species. But to let that paſs, our next
Enquiry ſhall be concerning thoſe Animals in the Planets which are
furniſhed with the greateſt Reaſon, whether it’s poſſible to know
wherein they employ it, and whether they have made as great Advances in
Arts and Knowledge as we in our Planet. Which deſerves moſt to be
conſidered and examined of any thing belonging to their Nature; and for
the better Performance of it we muſt take our Riſe ſomewhat higher, and
nicely view the Lives and Studies of Men.
And in thoſe things wherein Men provide and take care only of what’s
abſolutely neceſſary for the preſervation of their Life; in defending
themſelves from the Injuries of the Air; in ſecuring themſelves againſt
the Incurſions of Enemies by Walls; and againſt Fraud and Diſturbances
by Laws; in educating their Children, and providing for themſelves and
them: In all theſe I can ſee no great reaſon that Man has to boaſt of
the Pre-eminency of his Reaſon above Beaſts and other Animals. For moſt
of theſe Things they perform with greater Eaſe and Art than we, and
ſome of them they have no need of. For that Senſe of Virtue and Juſtice
in which Man excels, of Friendſhip, Gratitude and Honeſty, of what uſe
are they, but either to put a ſtop to the Wickedneſs of Man, or to
ſecure us from mutual Aſſaults and Injuries, Things wherein the Beaſts
want no Guide but Nature and Inclination? Then if we ſet before our
Eyes the manifold Cares, the Diſturbances of Mind, the reſtleſs
Deſires, the dread of Death, that are the reſult of this our Reaſon;
and compare them with that eaſy, quiet, and harmleſs Life which other
Animals enjoy, we ſhould be apt to wiſh a Change, and conclude that
they, eſpecially Birds, lived with more Pleaſure and Happineſs than Man
could with all his Wiſdom. For they have as great a Reliſh of bodily
Pleaſures as we, let the new Philoſophers ſay what they will, who would
have them to be nothing but Clocks and Engines of Fleſh; a Thing which
Beaſts ſo plainly confute by crying and running away from a Stick, and
all other Actions, that I wonder how any one could ſubſcribe to ſo
abſurd and cruel an Opinion. Nay, I can ſcarce doubt but that Birds
feel no ſmall Pleaſure in their eaſy, ſmooth ſailing through the Air;
and would much more if they but knew the Advantages it hath above our
ſlow and [Men chiefly differ from Beaſts in the Study of Nature.]
laborious Progreſſion. What is it then after all that ſets human Reaſon
above all other, and makes us preferable to the reſt of the Animal
World? Nothing in my Mind ſo much as the Contemplation of the Works of
God, and the Study of Nature, and the improving thoſe Sciences which
may bring us to ſome knowledge in their Beauty and Variety. For without
Knowledge what would be Contemplation? And what difference is there
between a Man, who with a careleſs ſupine Negligence views the Beauty
and Uſe of the Sun, and the fine golden Furniture of the Heaven, and
one who with a learned Niceneſs ſearches into their Courſes; who
underſtands wherein the Fix’d Stars, as they are call’d, differ from
the Planets, and what is the Reaſon of the regular Viciſſitude of the
Seaſons; who by ſound Reaſoning can meaſure the Magnitude and Diſtance
of the Sun and Planets? Or between ſuch a one as admires perhaps the
nimble Activity and ſtrange Motions of ſome Animals, and one that knows
their whole Structure, underſtands the whole Fabrick and Architecture
of their Compoſition? If therefore the Principle we before laid down be
true, that the other Planets are not inferiour in Dignity to ours,
[They have Aſtronomy.] what follows but that they have Creatures not to
ſtare and wonder at the Works of Nature only, but who employ their
Reaſon in the Examination and Knowledge of them, and have made as great
Advances therein as we have? They do not only view the Stars, but they
improve the Science of Aſtronomy: nor is there any thing can make us
think this improbable, but that fond Conceitedneſs of every Thing that
we call our own, and that Pride that is too natural to us to be eaſily
laid down. But I know ſome will ſay, we are a little too bold in theſe
Aſſertions of the Planets, and that we mounted hither by many
Probabilities, one of which, if it chance to be falſe, and contrary to
our Suppoſition, would, like a bad Foundation, ruin the whole Building,
and make it fall to the Ground. But I would have them to know, that all
I have ſaid of their Knowledge in Aſtronomy, has Proofs enough,
antecedent to thoſe we now produced. For ſuppoſing the Earth, as we
did, one of the Planets of equal Dignity and Honour with the reſt, who
would venture to ſay, that no where elſe were to be found any that
enjoy’d the glorious Sight of Nature’s Theatre? Or if there were any
Fellow-Spectators, yet we were the only ones that had dived deep into
the Secrets and Knowledge of it? So that here’s a Proof not ſo far
fetch’d for the Aſtronomy of the Planets, the ſame which we uſed for
their having rational Creatures, and enjoying the other Advantages we
before talk’d of, which ſerves at the ſame time for the Confirmation of
our former Conjectures. But if Amazement and Fear at the Eclipſes of
the Moon and Sun gave the firſt occaſion to the Study of Aſtronomy, as
probably they did, then it’s almoſt impoſſible that Jupiter and Saturn
ſhould be without it; the Argument being of much greater force in them,
by reaſon of the daily Eclipſes of their Moons, and the frequent ones
of the Sun to their Inhabitants. So that if a Perſon diſintereſted in
his Judgment, and equally ignorant of the Affairs of all the Planets,
were to give his Opinion in this Matter, I don’t doubt he would give
the Cauſe for Aſtronomy to thoſe two Planets rather than us.
This Suppoſition of their Knowledge and Uſe of Aſtronomy in the
Planetary Worlds, will afford us many new Conjectures about their
manner of Life, and their State as to other things.
[And all its ſubſervient Arts.]
For, Firſt: No Obſervations of the Stars that are neceſſary to the
Knowledge of their Motions, can be made without Inſtruments; nor can
theſe be made without Metal, Wood, or ſome ſuch ſolid Body. Here’s a
neceſſity of allowing them the Carpenters Tools, the Saw, the Ax, the
Plane, the Mallet, the File: and the making of theſe requires the Uſe
of Iron, or ſome equally hard Metal. [Geometry and Arithmetick:] Again,
theſe Inſtruments can’t be without a Circle divided into equal Parts,
or a ſtrait Line into unequal. Here’s a neceſſity for introducing
Geometry and Arithmetick. Then the Neceſſity [And Writing.] in ſuch
Obſervations of marking down the Epochas or Accounts of Time, and of
tranſmitting them to Poſterity, will force us to grant them the Art of
Writing; perhaps very different from ours which is commonly uſed, but I
dare affirm not more ingenious or eaſy. For how much more ready and
expeditious is our Way, than by that multitude of Characters uſed in
China; and how vaſtly preferable to Knots tied in Cords, or the
Pictures in uſe among the barbarous People of Mexico and Peru? There’s
no Nation in the World but has ſome way or other of writing or marking
down their Thoughts: So that it’s no wonder if the Planetary
Inhabitants have been taught it by that great School-miſtreſs
Neceſſity, and apply it to the Study of Aſtronomy and other Sciences.
In Aſtronomical Matters the Neceſſity of it is moreover apparent from
hence, that the Motion of the Stars is as ’twere to be fancied and
gueſs’d at in different Syſtems, and theſe Syſtems to be continually
improved and corrected, as later and more exact Obſervations ſhall
convince the old ones of Faults: all which can never be deliver’d down
to ſucceeding Generations, unleſs we make uſe of Letters and Figures.
But after all theſe large and liberal Allowances to Them, they will
ſtill be behind-hand with us. For we have ſo certain a Knowledge of the
true [And Opticks.] Syſtem and Frame of the Univerſe; we have ſo
admirable an Invention of Teleſcopes to help our failing Eye-ſight in
the view of the Bigneſs and different Forms of the Planetary Bodies, in
the diſcovery of the Mountains, and the Shadows of them on the Surface
of the Moon, in the bringing to light an innumerable multitude of Stars
otherwiſe inviſible, that we muſt neceſſarily be far their Maſters in
that Knowledge. Hence it is almoſt neceſſary (except we have a Mind to
flatter and complement our ſelves as the only People that have the
Advantage of ſuch excellent Inventions) either to allow the Planetary
Inhabitants ſuch ſharp Eyes as not to need them, or elſe the uſe of
Glaſſes to help the Deficiency of their Sight. And yet I dare not
aſſert this, leſt any one ſhould be ſo diſturbed at the Extravagancy of
ſuch an Opinion, as to take the meaſure of my other Conjectures by it,
and hiſs them all off, upon the account of this alone.
[Theſe Sciences not contrary to Nature.]