AN
ORIGINAL THEORY
OR
NEW HYPOTHESIS
OF THE
UNIVERSE,
Founded upon the
LAWS of NATURE,
AND SOLVING BY
MATHEMATICAL PRINCIPLES
THE
General Phænomena of the Visible Creation;
AND PARTICULARLY
The VIA LACTEA.
Compris'd in Nine Familiar Letters from the Author to his Friend.
And Illustrated with upwards of Thirty Graven and Mezzotinto Plates,
By the Best Masters.
By THOMAS WRIGHT, of Durham.
One _Sun by Day, by Night_ ten Thousand _shine,
And light us deep into the_ Deity. Dr. Young.
_LONDON_:
Printed for the Author, and
sold by H. Chapelle, in _Grosvenor-Street_.
MDCCL.
[Illustration]
THE
PREFACE.
[Illustration]
THE Author of the following Letters having been flattered into a
Belief, that they may probably prove of some Use, or at least Amusement
to the World, he has ventured to give them, at the Request of his
Friends, to the Publick. His chief Design will be found an Attempt
towards solving the Phænomena of the _Via Lactea_, and in consequence
of that Solution, the framing of a regular and rational Theory of the
known Universe, before unattempted by any. But he is very sensible how
difficult a Task it is to advance any new Doctrine with Success, those
who have hitherto attempted to propagate astronomical Discoveries in
all Ages, have been but ill rewarded for their Labours, tho' finally
they have proved of the greatest Benefit and Advantage to Mankind.
This ungrateful Lesson we learn from the Fate of those ingenious Men,
who, in ignorant Times, have unjustly suffered for their superior
Knowledge and Discoveries; they who first conceived the Earth a
Ball, were treated only with Contempt for their idle and ridiculous
Supposition, as it was called; and he who first attempted to explain
the _Antipodes_, lost his Life by it; but in this Age Philosophers
have nothing to fear of this sort, the great Disadvantages attending
Authors now, are of a widely different Nature, rising from the
infinite Number of Pretenders to Knowledge in this Science, and much is
to be apprehended from improper Judges, tho' from real ones nothing;
for nothing is more certain than this, as much as any Subject exceeds
the common Capacity of Readers, so much will the Work in general be
condemned; the Air of Knowledge is at least in finding Fault, and this
vain Pretence generally leads People, who have no real Foundation for
their Judgment to argue from, to ridicule what they are too sensible
they do not understand. Thus the same Disadvantages too often attend
both in publick and private an exceeding good Production equally the
same as a very bad one: But the Author is not vain enough to think
this Work without Faults, has rather Reason to fear, from the Weakness
of his own Capacity, that there may be many; but he hopes the Design
of the Whole will, in some measure, plead for the Imperfection of the
Parts, if the Merits of the Plan should be found insufficient for his
full Pardon, in attempting so extensive a Subject.
In a System thus naturally tending to propagate the Principles of
Virtue, and vindicate the Laws of Providence, we may indeed say too
little, but cannot surely say too much; and to make any further
Apology for a Work of such Nature, where the Glory of the Divine
Being of course must be the principal Object in View, would be too
like rendering Virtue accountable to Vice for any Author to expert to
benefit by such Excuse. The Motive which induces us to the Attempt of
any Performance, where no good Reason can be supposed to be given for
the Omission, or Neglect of it, will always be judged an unnecessary
Promulgation, and consequently every Attempt towards the Discovery
of Truth, the Enlargement of our Minds, and the Improvement of our
Understandings will naturally become a Duty. If therefore this
Undertaking falls short of being instrumental towards the advancing
the Adoration of the Divine Being in his infinite Creation of higher
Works, and proves unable to answer all Objections that may possibly
arise against it, yet will its Imperfections appear of such a Nature to
every candid Reader, as to afford the Author a sufficient Apology for
producing them to the World: And it is to be hoped farther, that where
a Work is entirely upon a new Plan, and the Beginning, as it were, of
a new Science, before unattempted in any Language, the Author having
dug all his Ideas from the Mines of Nature, is surely entitled to every
kind of Indulgence.
To those who are weak enough to think that such Enquiries as these are
over-curious, vain, and presumptive, and would willingly, suitable to
their own Ignorance and Comprehension, set Bounds to other People's
Labours, I answer with Mr. _Huygens_, "That if our Forefathers had
been at this Rate scrupulous, we might have been ignorant still of the
Magnitude and Figure of the Earth; or that there was such a Place as
_America_. We should not have known that the Moon is enlightened by
the Sun's Rays, nor what the Causes of the Eclipses of each of them
are; nor a Multitude of other Things brought to Light by the late
Discoveries in Astronomy; for what can a Man imagine more abstruse, or
less likely to be known, than what is now as clear as the Sun."
Had we still paid that Homage to a Name,
Which only God and Nature justly claim;
The western Seas had been our utmost Bound,
Where Poets still might dream the Sun was drown'd;
And all the Stars that shine in Southern Skies,
Had been admir'd by none but savage Eyes.
Dryden.
Besides the Nobleness and Pleasure of these Studies, _Wisdom_ and
_Morality_ are naturally advanced, and much benefited by them, and
even Religion itself receives a double Lustre, "to the Confusion of
those who would have the Earth, and all Things formed by the shuffling
Concourse of Atoms, or to be without Beginning." In Astronomy, as well
as in natural Philosophy, though we cannot positively affirm every
thing we say to be Facts and Truth, yet in so noble and sublime a Study
as that of _Nature_, it is glorious, as Mr. _Huygens_ says, even to
arrive at Probability.
Notwithstanding then the Disadvantages which ever have attended all new
Discoveries, either thro' the Ignorance of the Age, or the universal
Passion of Ridicule in such contented Creatures, as can't comprehend,
yet ever attacking with a fool-hardy Resolution, the advancing Ensigns
of Knowledge, if Ignorance was Virtue, and Wisdom Vice; I say,
regardless of this noisy Shore, it is sure our Duty to spring forward,
and explore the secret Depths of Infinity, and the wonderful hidden
Truths of this vast Ocean of Beings. But how the heavenly Bodies were
made, when they were made, and what they are made of, and many other
Things relating to their Entity, Nature, and Utility, seems in our
present State not to be within the Reach of human Philosophy; but then
that they do exist, have final Causes, and were ordained for some wise
End, is evident beyond a Doubt, and in this Light most worthy of our
Contemplation.
He who thro' vast Immensity can pierce,
See Worlds on Worlds compose one Universe,
Observe how System into System runs,
What other Planets, and what other Suns;
What varied Being peoples ev'ry Star;
May tell why Heav'n made all Things as they are.
Pope.
To expect that so new an Hypothesis should meet with universal
Approbation, would be an unpardonable Vanity; nor is it reasonable
every Reader should think the Author obliged to remove all his
Prejudices and Partialities, so far as to give him the perfect Picture
of the Universe he likes best. In many Cases it would be so far from
being better for the World, if all Men judged and thought alike, that
Providence seems rather to have guarded against it as an Evil, than any
how to have promoted it as a general Good: But the following Theory
regards the Whole rather than Individuals: And the many worthy Authors
cited in the Work, who have all greatly favoured this extensive Way
of Thinking, will, I hope, be a sufficient Excuse for forming these
obvious Conjectures into a Theory, especially where so great a Problem
is attempted as the Solution of the _Via Lacteal_ Phænomenon, which
has hitherto been looked upon as an insurmountable Difficulty. How
the Author has succeeded in this Point, is a Question of no great
Consequence; he has certainly done his best; another, no Doubt, will
do better, and a third perhaps, by some more rational Hypothesis, may
perfect this Theory, and reduce the Whole to infallible Demonstration:
The first System of the solar Planets was far from a true one, but it
led the Way to Perfection, and the last we can never too much admire.
It is well known, that the first System of the Planets was also but a
Conjecture, yet none will deny that it was an happy one.
The Discovery of the Magnet Poles; the Government of the Tides;
proportional Distance and Periods of the Planets, _&c._ have all their
Uses, and undoubtedly were designed to be known. Ignorance is the
Disgrace of Mankind, and sinks human Nature almost to that of Reptiles.
Knowledge is its Glory and the distinguishing Characteristic of
rational Creatures.
To Enquiries of this sort, then sure we may say with _Milton_, That
God's own Ear listens delighted.
The Subject is, no Doubt, the noblest in Nature, and as such, will
always merit the Attention of the thinking Part of Mankind. Men of
Learning and Science, in all Ages, have ever made it their peculiar
Study. Towards the latter End of the Republic, and afterwards in
the more peaceable Times of _Trajan_ and the _Plinys_, we have no
Reason to doubt but that Astronomy was in the highest Reputation: And
notwithstanding _Greece_ had been the chief Seat of the Philosophers,
yet may we suppose _Rome_ in those Days little inferior in the
Knowledge of the Stars, when we find Men[A] of the first Figure in Life
become Authors upon the Subject.
[Footnote A: _Cicero_ translated the Phænomena of _Aratus_ into Latin
Verse. _Julius Cæsar_, as _Pliny_ relates, wrote of Astronomy in
_Greek_, and is said to have left several Books of the Motion of the
Stars behind him, derived from the Doctrine of the _Egyptians_. _Ant.
Chris._ 45. He with _Sosigenes_ reformed the _Roman_ Year, which was
first invented by _Numa Pompilius_. _Germanicus Cæsar_ also translated
_Aratus's_ Phænomena into _Latin_ Verse _Anno Dom._ 15. _Tiberius_ and
_Hadrian_ are also said to have wrote on Astronomy.]
We have many Instances to shew, that Astronomy was in the greatest
Repute amongst the Antients of all Ranks, and almost every where looked
upon as one of the greatest, if not as one of the first Qualifications
of their best Men. As a Confirmation of which, we find in the
historical Accounts of the _Argives_, a very warm Contest betwixt the
two Sons of _Pelops_ 1205 Years before _Christ_, thus testified by
_Lucian_: When the _Argives_, by publick Consent, had decreed that the
Kingdom should fall to him of the two, who should manifest himself
the most learned in the Knowledge of the Stars, _Thyestes_ thereupon
is said to have made known to them, the Constellation, or Sign of the
_Zodiack_ call'd _Aries_: But _Atreus_ at the same time discovering
to them the Course of the Sun, with his various Rising and Setting,
demonstrating his Motion to be [B]contrary to that of the Heavens, or
diurnal Motion of the Stars, was thereupon elected King.
[Footnote B: Hence arose the Fable of the Sun's going backwards in the
Days of _Atreus_, as if struck with Abhorrence of his bloody Banquet.
_Vide Ovid's_ Metamorphosis.]
To recite more of the most eminent Patrons and Professors of this kind
of Learning here, will carry me too far from my present Purpose; for
farther Information therefore, I shall refer the inquisitive Reader, to
that curious Catalogue in _Sherburn's_ Sphere of _Manilius_, where so
many ruling [C]Men of all Ages and Nations swell, and illustrate the
Number.
[Footnote C: Seven Emperors, nine Kings, and as many sovereign Princes.
_Charlemagne_ wrote _Ephemerides_, and named the Months and Winds in
_High Dutch_, 770. _Rich._ II. _&c._]
In a Word, when we look upon the Universe as a vast Infinity of Worlds,
acted upon by an eternal Agent, and crowded full of Beings, all tending
through their various States to a final Perfection, and reflect upon
the many illustrious Personages, who have, from time to time, thought
it a kind of Duty to become Observers, and consequently Admirers of
this stupendous Sphere of primary Bodies, and diligent Enquirers into
the general Laws and Principles of Nature, who can avoid being filled
with a kind of enthusiastic Ambition, to be acknowledged one of the
Number, who, as it were, by thus adding his Atom to the Whole, humbly
endeavours to contribute towards the due Adoration of its great and
divine Author.
I judge it will be quite unnecessary to say any thing about the Order
of the Work, since that would be only a Repetition of the Table of
Contents, to which the Reader is referred, as to the properest Account
that can here be given.
[Illustration]
THE
CONTENTS.
LETTER THE FIRST.
_Concerning the Opinions of the most eminent Authors whose
Sentiments upon this Subject have been published in their
Works._ Page 1
LETTER THE SECOND.
_Concerning the Nature of Mathematical Certainty, and the various
Degrees of Moral Probability proper for Conjecture._ 9
LETTER THE THIRD.
_Concerning the Nature, Magnitude, and Motion of the Planetary
Bodies round the Sun._ 18
LETTER THE FOURTH.
_Of the Nature of the heavenly Bodies continued, with the Opinions
of the Antients concerning the Sun and Stars._ 27
LETTER THE FIFTH.
_Of the Order, Distance, and Multiplicity of the Stars, the_ Via
Lactea, _and Extent of the visible Creation._ 37
LETTER THE SIXTH.
_Of General Motion amongst the Stars, the Plurality of Systems,
and Innumerability of Worlds._ 48
LETTER THE SEVENTH.
_The Hypothesis, or Theory, fully explained and demonstrated,
proving the sidereal Creation to be finite._ 58
LETTER THE EIGHTH.
_Of Time and Space, with regard to the known Objects of Immensity
and Duration._ 67
LETTER THE NINTH.
_Reflections, by way of_ General Scolia, _of Consequences relating
to the Immortality of the Soul, and concerning Infinity and
Eternity._ 77
Directions for placing the PLATES.
_Plate._ _Page._ _Plate._ _Page._
I. 10 XVII. 51
II. 11 XVIII. 52
III. 16 XIX. 56
IV. 20 XX. _ibid._
V. _ibid._ XXI. 62
VI. 22 XXII. 63
VII. _ibid._ XXIII. 64
VIII. _ibid._ XXIV. _ibid._
IX. 22 XXV. 64
X. 23 XXVI. _ibid._
XI. 35 XXVII. 64
XII. 38 XXVIII. 65
XIII. _ibid._ XXIX. _ibid._
XIV. 40 XXX. 70
XV. 42 XXXI. 83
XVI. _ibid._ XXXII. _ibid._
_Some of the Principal ERRATA._
_Page_ _Line_ _the Words_ _Read._
2 _ult._ to cease relating ceasing to relate
4 3 Phænomenon Phænomena
16 15 incomsible incomprehensible
21 12 comprehend comprehending
33 28 compared is compared
34 37 form from
43 20 volving revolving
49 24 immoveable moveable
61 19 much much as
62 28 XXIII. XXI.
65 4 where any where
67 15 also all so
69 29 one our
_Plate_ X. read the Characters of the Planets in this Order ♃ ☿ ♄ ♂ ♀
[Note: Transcriber made the corrections above in the text.]
A
LIST
OF THE
SUBSCRIBERS.
A.
_Lord_ Anson.
_Hon. Mr._ Archer.
Charles Ambler, _Esq_.
B.
_Duke of_ Beaufort.
_Duke of_ Bedford.
_Dutchess of_ Beaufort.
_Lord_ Berkely, _of_ Straton.
Miles Barne, _Esq_;
Lancelot Barton, _Esq_;
_Hon._ Antoine Bentinck.
_Hon._ John Bentinck.
Norbone Berkely, _Esq_;
John Brown, _Esq_;
---- Blaman, _Esq_;
Thomas Brand, _Esq_;
J. Bevis, _M. D._
_Rev._ T. Bonney, _A. M._
C.
_Countess of_ Cunengesby.
_Lord_ Cornwallis.
_Lady_ Cornwallis.
Edward Cave, _Esq_;
John Chamock, _Esq_;
_Hon. and Rev. Dr._ Cowper.
_Mr._ Richard Chad.
_Mr._ Henry Chapell.
Is. Colepepper.
_Mr._ George Conyers.
D.
_Rev._ John Dealtary, _A. M._
_Mr._ Samuel Dent.
F.
Charles Fitzrea Scudamore, _Esq_;
Kean Fitzgerald, _Esq_;
Thomas Fonnerau, _Esq_;
Robert Rakes Fulthorpe, _Esq_;
_Mr._ Samuel Farrant.
_Mr._ Paul Fourdrinier.
G.
_Marchioness_ Grey.
_Lord_ Glenorchy.
Francis Godolphin, _Esq_;
Roger Gale, _Esq_;
James Gibbon, _Esq_;
Ralph Goward, _Esq_;
Ralph Gowland, _Esq_;
Ralph Gowland, _Junior_, _Esq_;
_Dr._ Gregory.
_Dr._ Griffith.
_Rev._ John Griffith, _A. M._
_Rev._ Middlemore Griffith.
H.
_Lord_ Hardwick, _Lord High Chancellor of_ Great-Britain.
_Hon._ James Hamilton.
_Mr._ Thomas Heath.
_Mr._ Thomas Holt.
John Hughes, _Esq_;
J.
_Earl of_ Jersey.
Richard Jackson, _Esq_;
_Rev. Mr._ Jones.
K.
---- Knowles, _Esq_;
_Dr._ Kendrick.
_Mrs._ Kennon, 4.
L.
_Lady Vicountess_ Limerick.
_Sir_ William Lee, _Bart._
William Lester, _Esq_;
_Rev. Dr._ Long, _Master of_ Pembroke-hall, Cambridge.
William Lloyd, _Esq_;
_Mr._ Andrew Lawrence.
M.
R. J. Mead, _M. D._
Richard Meyrick, _M. D._
Owen Meyrick, _Esq_;
Pierce Meyrick, _Esq_;
N.
_Duke of_ Norfolk.
_Lord_ North.
_Lord Bishop of_ Norwich.
Richard Nicholls, _Esq_;
_Mrs._ Norsa.
P.
_Duke of_ Portland.
_Earl of_ Pembroke, _&c._ 2.
_Countess of_ Pembroke, _&c._
_Lady_ Palmerston.
Robert Money Penny, _Esq_;
_Sir_ Francis Pool.
_Sir_ John Pool.
John Probyn, _Esq_;
_Rev._ Mr. Pierce.
_Mr._ Dominick Pile.
_Mr._ Powel, _of_ Cambridge.
R.
_Dutchess of_ Richmond, _&c. &c._
James Ralph, _Esq_;
Allan Ramsey, _Esq_;
William Read, _Esq_; 2.
Henry Reveley, _Esq_;
William Reveley, _Esq_;
S.
_Sir_ George Savile.
---- Serle, _Esq_;
_Rev. Dr._ Smith, _Master of_ Trinity College, Cambridge.
_Miss_ Stonehouse.
William Symonds, _Esq_;
_Mr._ James Scot.
_Mr._ James Stephens.
T.
_Lord Viscount_ Townshend.
John Temple, _Esq_;
James Theobald, _Esq_;
Charles Townshend, _Esq_;
_Mrs._ Mary Trevor.
_Mr._ James Thornton.
V.
_Lord Viscount_ Villiers.
W.
_Lady Frances_ Williams.
_Miss_ Williams.
_Miss_ Charlotta Williams.
_Rev._ Thomas White, _A. M._
---- White, _Esq_;
Charles Louis Wiedmarkter, _Esq_;
_Mr._ Ward.
Y.
_Hon._ Philip York.
_Dr._ Arthur Young, _Preb. of_ Cant.
[Illustration]
LETTER THE FIRST.
_Opinions of the most eminent Authors whose Sentiments on the following
Subject have been published in their Works._
_SIR_,
Reflecting upon the agreeable Conversation of our last Meeting, which
you may remember chiefly turned upon the Stars, and the Nature of the
planetary Bodies; a Subject, which is generally allowed to give true
Pleasure to all those who take Delight in mathematical Enquiries;
and having not a little Regard to the repeated Request in your late
Letters, I have at length undertaken to explain to you, as far as I am
able, my Theory of the _Universe_, and the Ideas I have form'd of the
known Creation.
The Hypothesis upon which this new Astronomy is founded, and now
reduced into a regular System, was the result of my Astronomical
Studies[D] full fifteen years ago, hence I hope you will allow, I have
more than observed _Horace's_ celebrated Aphorism,
_Nonumque prematur in annum._
[Footnote D: The first Scheme of this Hypothesis was plann'd in the
Year 1734, representing in a Section of the Creation, eighteen Feet
long and one broad, several thousand Worlds and Systems, and a great
Number of emblematical Figures, now in the Author's Possession,
together with a Scheme of the entire Creation, completed since,
nine Feet long and six broad, more fully illustrating upon the same
Construction the Innumerability of Systems and Worlds.]
The Subject, I have often observed, you have listened to with a pleased
Attention, and I am the more incouraged to explain it at large to you,
as I am perswaded you don't want to be convinced of its valuable Uses
and Importance.
I remember you have often told me, that to apply ourselves to the Study
of Nature, was the surest and readiest Way to come at any tolerable
Knowledge of ourselves, however difficult the Task might prove either
in the Attempt, or the attaining it, and the less to be neglected, as
it never fails to introduce a proper Knowledge of the Divine Being,
as a certain Consequence along with it, and such a Knowledge, as will
naturally make every Man, who has but a tolerable Share of common
Sense, and is not a Slave to another's Reason, without any other
Evidence or Motive, in all Stations, and under all Circumstances, Act
justly, Live chearfully, and die full of Hope in the Expectation of a
happy Sequel, in Futurity.
_Eternity_ is written in the Skies:
Mankind's Eternity, nor _Faith_ alone;
_Virtue_ grows there ----
_Dr._ Young.
A learned Author on the Attributes, recommending these Studies as a
reasonable and moral Service, says, "Sure, it is most becoming such
imperfect Creatures as we are, to contemplate the Works of God with
this Design, that we may discern the Manifestations of Wisdom in them;
and thereby excite in ourselves those devout Affections, and that
superlative Respect, which is the very Essence of Praise."
Who turns his Eye, _on hese wheeling Globes
_But must enquire_ ---- what Hand behind the Scene,
What Arm Almighty, put these wheeling Globes
In Motion, and wound up the vast Machine?
The enchanting Idea _Milton_ had of the Subjects of Astronomy whose
truly sublime Way of thinking and writing perhaps was never so nearly
equalled, or attempted before this Reverend Author's _Night-Thoughts_,
appear'd is finely shewn in the Eighth Book of his _Paradise Lost_,
where he makes his _Adam_, so earnestly attentive to the Angel
_Gabriel_, as ceasing to relate the Mysteries of Creation.
The Angel ended, and his _Adam's_ Ear
So charming left his Voice, that he awhile
Thought him still speaking; still stood fix'd to hear.
_Milton's_ own Ideas of the Universe too, which no doubt he had
gathered from astronomical Authors, and had reconciled himself to, we
are fully made acquainted with in the same Book, where the Arch-angel
says, in answer to _Adam's_ Enquiries.
----Other Suns perhaps
With their attendant Moons thou wilt descry
Communicating Male and Female Light,
Which two great Sexes animate the World,
Stor'd in each Orb, perhaps with some that live:
For such vast Room in Nature, unpossest
By living Soul, desert and desolate,
Only to shine, yet scarce to contribute
Each Orb a Glimpse of Light, convey'd so far
Down to this habitable, which returns
Light back to them, is obvious to Dispute.
But before I presume to plan my own Discoveries and Conjectures into a
Theory, both in Justice to those who have in some measure been in the
same Way of Thinking, and also as a Defence of myself for producing so
new an Hypothesis to the World, which otherwise (though any Apology
made to you I know will be unnecessary) may appear to too many but an
idle _Chimera_ of my own. I judge it will be highly proper, by way
of strengthening my own Arguments, and adding more Weight to what I
shall myself advance in the following Letters, to give you in this the
Opinions of the most able Writers, whose Works I have read upon the
Subject. I mean so far as relates to the now general received Notion,
that the Stars are all Suns, and surrounded with planetary Bodies, with
which I shall set out; and shew you, it is not a Thing merely taken for
granted, but has ever been the concurrent Notion of the Learned of all
Nations, as shall be further shewn, in its proper Place, and as nearly
as Possibility will admit of, demonstrated to be Truth.
The following is an Extract from Mr. _Toland_, in his Account of the
Works of
Jordanus Bruno.
"The Divine Efficacy (says this Author in his infinite Creation) cannot
stand idle, without the Want of Will or Power; but any Imbecility in
such a Being argues Imperfection, and since any finite Produce compared
with Infinity is as nothing, or rather as the Beginning of Good, it
must be no less idle, and invidious in producing a finite Effect, than
in producing none at all.
"Hence, as all Finites, singly considered, are but as Commencements of
something more to be expected.
"Omnipotence, in making the Creation finite, will appear to be no less
blameable for not being willing, than for not being able, to make it
otherwise; _i. e._ infinite, as being an infinite Agent upon a finite
Subject, which is repugnant to Reason."
It follows then that, Creation must be not only extensively,
but intensively indefinite, and beyond the Reach of the human
Understanding to comprehend; and that the one is as necessary as the
other, _i. e._ an infinite Expanse is as reconcileable to our Reason,
as infinite Parts are to our Senses.
All the Attributes of the Divine Being are, as any one of them,
incomprehensible to his Creatures; why should our Imagination then be
supposed to extend beyond the divine Activity?
"Thus, adds the above Author, the Excellency of God is adequately
magnified, and the Grandeur of his Empire made manifest; he is not
glorified in one, but in numberless Suns; not in one Earth, or in one
World, but in ten thousand thousand of infinite Globes."
An infinite Representation of an infinite Original, and a Spectacle
befitting the Excellency and Eminence of him, that can neither be fully
conceived, imagined, or comprehended.
What read we here? th' Existence of a God?
Yes, and of other Beings, Man above,
Natives of Æther! Sons of higher Climes!
Dr. Young.
"If the Existence of this one World be good or convenient, it is not
less good or convenient that there be infinite others like it.
"The infinite efficient Cause would be absolutely defective, without
an infinite Effect; and besides, by conceiving the Infinity of the
Universe and innumerable Beings, the Understanding rests satisfied, and
is reconciled with the Idea of an Eternity; whereas, by asserting the
contrary, it is unavoidably plunged into innumerable Difficulties, and
unsolvable Inconveniencies, Paradoxes, and Absurdities."
Again, says the same Writer, "Did we but consider and comprehend all
this, oh! to what much further Considerations and Comprehensions
should we be carried! as we might be sure to obtain that Happiness by
virtue of this Science, which _in other Sciences is sought after in
vain_.
This Prospect vast, what is it? weigh'd aright,
'Tis Nature's System of Divinity,
And every Student of the Night inspires.
Dr. Young.
'Tis elder Scripture, writ by God's own Hand;
Scripture authentic! uncorrupt by Man.
"This then is that Philosophy, which opens the Senses, which satisfies
the Mind, which enlarges the Understanding, and which leads Mankind to
the only true Beatitude, whereof they are capable according to their
natural State and Constitution; for it frees us from the sollicitous
Pursuit of Pleasure, and from the anxious Apprehensions of Pain, making
us to enjoy the good Things of the present Hour, and not to fear more,
than we hope from the future; since that same Providence, or Fate, or
Fortune, which causes the Vicissitudes of our particular Being, will
not let us know more of the one, than we are ignorant of the other."
And farther, "From these Contemplations, if we do but rightly consider,
it will follow, that we ought never to be dispirited by any strange
Accidents, through Excess of Fear or Pain, nor ever be elated by any
prosperous Event, through Excess of Hope or Pleasure; whence we have
the Path to true Morality, and following it, we shall of course become
the magnanimous Despisers of what Men of weak Minds fondly Esteem, and
be wise Judges of the History of Nature, which would be written in our
Minds, and consequently be chearful and strict Executioners of the
divine Laws, which would thus be ingraved in the Center of our Hearts.
Seeking, as it were, in ourselves, an Approbation of our own Action,
which alone is capable of true Content and Happiness."
Christopher Huygens,[E]
[Footnote E: The Pendulum Clock; the first Discovery of _Jupiter's_
Satellites, and _Saturn's_ Ring.]
To whom the World is much indebted for many curious Inventions, and
Discoveries, says in his _Planetary Worlds_, "I must be of the same
Opinion with all the great Philosophers of our Age, that the Sun is of
the same Nature with the fix'd Stars; and this will give us a greater
Idea of the World than all other Opinions can. For then why may not
every one of these Stars, or Suns, have as great a Retinue, as our
Sun, of Planets, with their Moons to wait upon them? Nay, there is a
manifest Reason why they should; for, if we imagine ourselves placed at
an equal Distance from the Sun and fix'd Stars, we should then perceive
no Difference at all betwixt them.
"Why then may we not make use of the same Judgment that we would in
that Case; and conclude, that our Star has no better Attendance than
the others? So that what we allowed the Planets upon the Account of
our enjoying it, we must likewise grant to all those Planets that
surround that prodigious Number of Suns. They must have their Plants
and Animals, nay, their rational Creatures too, and those as great
Admirers and as diligent Observers of the Heavens as ourselves; and
must consequently enjoy whatever is subservient to, and requisite for
such Knowledge.
"What a wonderful and amazing Scheme have we here of the magnificent
Vastness of the Universe! So many Suns, so many Earths, and every one
of them stock'd with so many Herbs, Trees, and Animals, and adorned
with so many Seas and Mountains! And how must our Wonder and Admiration
be increased, when we consider the prodigious Distance and Multitude of
the Stars?"
_The Opinion of Sir_ Isaac Newton.
This great Author, in his grand _Scholia_ to the _Principia_,
says:--"The most beautiful System of the Sun, Planets, and Comets,
could only proceed from the Counsel and Dominion of an intelligent
and powerful Being: And if the fix'd Stars are the Centers of other
like Systems, these, being form'd by the like wise Counsel, must be
all subject to the Dominion of One; especially, since the Light of the
fix'd Stars is of the same Nature with the Light of the Sun, and from
every System Light passes into all the other Systems. And least the
Systems of the fix'd Stars should by their Gravity fall mutually on
each other, he (the Divine Being) hath placed those Systems at immense
Distances from one another."
_The Opinion of Dr._ Derham, _in his_ Astro-Theology.
"The new System, says he, supposeth there are many other Systems of
Suns and Planets, besides that, in which we have our Residence; namely,
that every fix'd Star is a Sun, and incompassed with a System of
Planets, both primary and secondary, as well as ours.
"These several Systems of the fixed Stars, as they are at a great
and sufficient Distance from the Sun and us; so they are imagined to
be at as due, and regular Distances from one another: By which means
it is that those Multitudes of fixed Stars appear to us of different
Magnitudes, the nearest to us large; those farther and farther, less
and less; and that some, if not all of those vast Globes of the
Universe, have a Motion, is manifest to our Sight, and may easily be
concluded of all, from the constant Similitude and Consent that the
Works of Nature have with one another."
To this we may add, that this System of the Universe, as it is
physically demonstrable, is far the most rational and probable of any.
_Because_,
"It is far the most magnificent of any, and worthy of an infinite
Creator, whose _Power_ and _Wisdom_, as they are without Bounds and
Measure, so may they, in all Probability, exert themselves in the
Creation of many Systems as well as one. And as Myriads of Systems are
more for the _Glory_ of God, and more demonstrate his _Attributes_ than
one; so it is no less probable than possible, there may be many besides
this which we have the Privilege of living in." And as the strongest
Confirmation of this, "we see it is really so, as far as it is possible
it can be discerned by us, at such immense Distances as those Systems
of the fixed Stars are from us; and we cannot reasonably expect more."
"Since the Sun and fix'd Stars, says Dr. _Gregory_, are the only great
Bodies of the Universe that have any native Light, they are justly
esteemed by Philosophers to be of the same Kind, and designed for the
same Uses; and it is the Effect of a Man's Temper that sets a greater
Value upon his own Things than he ought, that makes him judge the Sun
to be the biggest of them all."
That, as an elegant[F] Writer observes, which we call the Morning, or
the Evening Star, is, in reality, a _Planetary World_; which, with
the four others, that so wonderfully, as _Milton_ expresses it, "vary
their mystick Dance, are in themselves dark Bodies, and shine only by
Reflection; have Fields and Seas, and Skies of their own; are furnished
with all Accommodations for animal Subsistence, and are supposed to
be the Abodes of intellectual Life. Again, The Sun, with all its
attendant Planets is but a very little Part of the grand Machine of the
Universe. Every Star--is really a vast Globe, like the Sun, in Size and
in Glory, no less spacious, no less luminous, than the radiant Source
of our Day; so that every Star is the Center of a magnificent System,
has a Retinue of Worlds irradiated by its Beams, and revolves round
its active Influence; all which are lost to our Sight in immeasurable
Tracts of Æther.
[Footnote F: Contemplations on the starry Heavens.]
"Could we, says the same Author, wing our Way to the highest apparent
Star--we should there see other Skies expanded, other Suns, that
distribute their inexhaustible Beams of Day; other Stars, that gild
the alternate Night; and other perhaps nobler Systems established;
established in unknown Profusion, through the boundless Dimensions of
Space. Nor does the Dominion of the great Sovereign end _there_, even
at the End of this vast Tour, we should find ourselves advanced no
farther than the Frontiers of Creation; arrived only at the Suburbs of
the great _Jehovah's_ Kingdom."
O for a Telescope his Throne to reach!
Tell me ye Learn'd on Earth! or Blest above!
Ye searching, ye _Newtonian_ Angels! tell,
Where your great Masters Orb? His Planets where?
Those conscious Satellites, those Morning Stars,
First-born of _Deity_ from central Love.
Dr. Young.
Many other Authorities might be produced from Writers of great Repute,
were it necessary to trouble you with them[G]; but I believe those
above will be abundantly sufficient for the present Purpose, if even an
Apology were wanting for my own Conjectures. I shall therefore conclude
this Letter with the following Passage out of _Pope's Universal
Prayer_, and in my next shall proceed in the Work I have undertaken.
Yet not to Earth's contracted Span,
Thy Goodness let me bound;
Or think thee Lord alone of Man,
When thousand Worlds are round.
_I am_, &c.
[Footnote G: Particularly from _Fontenelle_, &c.]
LETTER THE SECOND.
_Concerning the Nature of Mathematical Certainty, and the various
Degrees of Moral Probability proper for Conjecture._
_SIR_,
You know how much I am an Enemy to the taking of any thing for granted,
merely because a Person of reputed Judgment, has been heard to say, _it
absolutely is so_; an _Ipse dixit_, and implicit Faith in some Cases,
may be both necessary and useful; but here, in Astronomy, I mean, every
Man's Reason, by the Help of a very little Mathematicks, is able to
bring wonderful Truths to Light without them; and Truths not only of
the highest Importance to every Individual, but of a great and common
Consequence to all Mankind: And as such, in all Ages of the World,
have been judged worthy to be enquired into, by the best and wisest of
Philosophers.
You are likewise very sensible how far the human Understanding is even
at the best, from being infallible, and don't want to be told, how
difficult it is in a Subject of this Nature to arrive at any tolerable
Degree of Certainty, which before the Days of the sagacious _Euclid_,
and the penetrating _Archimedes_, was a Thing not to be expected.
And many things which were then but barely Objects of Conjecture and
Probability, have since been demonstrated to be infallibly true. Time
and Observation will undoubtedly, at last, discover every thing to
us necessary to our Natures, and proper for us to know. As a Proof
of which, we see human Wisdom daily increases; and while a Capacity
continues to make ourselves still more acquainted with the manifest
Wisdom and Power of God in the Works of his Creation, who is to tell
us where to stop our Enquiries? Or who is so impious to set Bounds
to a Science, which so evidently spreads through all Infinity, the
Attributes of God, and an eternal Basis for future Hope?
This Branch, or rather Body of Astronomy, I believe you will find to
be quite new; and though evident Truths, are the principal Thing to
be regarded in it, yet as being in its infant State, where lineal
Demonstration fails, as in some Cases it cannot be otherwise, I hope
you will give me Leave to make use of a weaker Way of Reasoning, to
convince you of the Point in Dispute, I mean of that by the Analogy of
known and natural Things.
I shall be extremely unwilling to affirm any thing for a _Fact_, or
Truth, without hearing, if not the real Evidence, at least a plausible
Reason, next to a Conviction, or moral Certainty, along with it; and
therefore I will here endeavour to explain to you what I mean by moral
Certainty and also by mathematical Proof.
Mathematical Proof, or Certainty, proper for Conjectures, may, to
almost every Capacity, be illustrated as follows:
Suppose you had accidentally found a very small Part of a visibly
broken Medallion, with nothing more express upon it, than what is
represented at _Fig._ 1. _Plate_ I. a Person totally unacquainted with
the mathematical Sciences, we may naturally conclude, would not be able
to make any thing of it, or in the least comprehend what it originally
was, or meant; but if an Astronomer should chance to see it, who of
course we are to suppose knew the Order and Proportion of the planetary
Orbits, he would immediately conclude, and with great Probability,
on the Side of his Conjectures, that it might be Part of a Medal
representing the Solar System. In such a Case may we not very naturally
suppose he would reason thus?
The Arches A and B seem to be Portions of the respective Orbits of
_Saturn_ and _Jupiter_, and what may lead us to believe, that they are
really so, and Part of the Solar System, is the oblique Curve C, which
looks not unlike the Trajectory of a Comet.
This surely would be far from an irrational Conjecture, and
consequently in some Degree probable: But this is not sufficient you'll
say; To prove it we must have farther recourse to the Mathematicks, and
a Mathematician would immediately thus demonstrate it to be true.
[Illustration: Plate I.]
[Illustration: Plate II.]
First, by compleating the Circles geometrically from the fourth Book of
_Euclid_, by the Assistance of any three Points E. F. G. the original
Figure will be restored, as at _Fig. 2._ And secondly, by assuming
any two Points, as F, E in the Curve C, if admitted a Parabola, by a
well-known Problem in Conic Sections the Heliocentric Portion X. Y.
Z. will easily be projected and shewn, as in _Fig. 3._ Lastly, join
this in Position to the former, and it will justly supply the Orbit,
or Path of some one of the Comets; and if required, even what Comet
may be discovered by comparing the Perihelion Distance Y. S. with
their general Elements or Theories, in Dr. Hally's _Synopsis_ of the
Motion of these Bodies. And if a farther Confirmation of the Truth
of these Conjectures were wanting, the small concentric Circles at D
would now be allowed beyond a Contradiction, to represent the secondary
Orbits of _Saturn_; and thus the first Presumption being carried thro'
several corroborating Degrees of Probability, almost past a Dispute,
would become a mathematical Certainty; and the above imperfect Piece
of Medallion, would evidently appear beyond a Contradiction to be Part
of a Representation of the said solar System, and such as is shewn in
_Plate_ II. Q. E. D. Thus in many Cases, it often happens, that from
a very small Part of _orbicular Things_, we are able to determine
the Form and Direction of the Whole: And hence you may conceive it
no very difficult Task to a Mathematician, to describe the Orbits of
all the Planets in the solar System, though he had never observed
them but in one and the same Sign of the _Zodiack_; thus far I have
thought it would not be amiss to explain to you the Nature of those
Steps, by which we arrive at moral Certainty, and where the Subject
will admit of it, Mathematical Conviction, which will not a little
contribute to strengthen many of the Arguments hereafter made use of,
and in some Degree serve to supply the Place of Proof, where infallible
Demonstration cannot from the Nature of the Thing be discovered.
But besides the indisputable Principles of Geometry, the universal
Law of Analogy and Similitude of things, have a Privilege to assist
us, in Conjectures relating to the heavenly Bodies, and though not of
equal Force with the former, is often as conclusive as the Subject
requires. This sort of probable Evidence (as Dr. _Butler_ observes,)
is essentially distinguished from "Demonstrative by this, that it
admits of Degrees; and of all Variety of them, from the highest moral
Certainty to the very lowest Presumption; and that which chiefly
constitutes Probability, is expressed in the Word _Likely_, or
Natural Likeness, as to State or Being." This general Way of arguing,
I think, is allowed to be evidently natural, just and conclusive,
and unquestionably to have its Weight in various Degrees, towards
determining our Judgment: For Instance, should any ignorant Person,
endowed with rational Principles, cut open a _Pomegranate_ of the
natural Growth of _England_, and finding it full of small Globules, or
Kernels, upon being presented with an every way similar Fruit, said
to be the Produce of _Italy_, doubt of its being of the same Nature,
and composed of like globular Seeds within; here indeed would be no
mathematical Evidence to assist the Judgment, the Object of Proof
being invisible, but sure from the external Similitude, the strongest
Probability of their being also internally the same. Again,
Is it natural to suppose, that the first Person who found a _Lark's_
Nest, and in it several of the Female's Eggs, should have any
Apprehensions of finding none in the _Nightingale's_, only because he
had never seen one before, I believe the most illiterate Person of the
earliest Ages, who had Curiosity enough for such a Search, would be
greatly disappointed in such a Case, and far from concluding that the
_Nightingale_ had none. Farther, should any one who had seen several
Sorts of Fish taken out of the River _Thames_, or out of the _Nyle_,
have any sort of Suspicion that he should find no such Creatures in
the _Seine_ or the _Ganges_, though it should be allowed that he had
never seen any such Creatures that were known to come from thence.
Ocular Demonstration, in such a Case, would sure be unnecessary, and
an Evidence of the first, I believe would be abundantly sufficient to
convince us of what we ought to look for at least in the last: But
then the Fishes of different Seas, and of Rivers are not of the same
Species you'll say; but as it were infinitely diversified through all
the aqueous World, this is, and must be granted, and alike Variety
of _Species_ must also be granted, in the former Case of the Birds:
But no Objection can possibly arise from any such Diversity, since we
don't pretend to say, nor is it at all necessary, that the Beings in
the sidereal Planets should be every where the same with these of our
solar System, a Variety must every where be admitted, and will always
be admired, where the Work is Nature's, and the Design God's.
All then that I here pretend to argue for, is a Universality of
rational Creatures to people Infinity, or rather such Parts of the
Creation, as from the Analogy and Nature of Things, we judge to be
habitable Seats for Beings, not unlike the mortal human.
Every Animal, and every Vegetable, that, as it were, naturally exists
by the Virtues, Properties, or Laws of the mineral Kingdom, has
something of a secondary Nature, depending upon it as a Principle;
and to say that the Stars, which are a certain visible sort of
Cotemporaries in Space with the Sun, have no like planetary Bodies with
ours moving round them, because we cannot possibly see them, is no less
absurd and ridiculous, than to argue, that we can have no Reason to
expect to find, in the proper Season, Grapes upon every Vine--Figs upon
every Tree--Roses upon every Bush--only because some of them are at
such a Distance, that neither Rose, Fig or Grape, can be discovered by
the Eye.
This sort of Reasoning, though some perhaps may neglect it, I am
perswaded you will look upon as abundantly sufficient for Things out
of the Reach of Science to determine; and that the collective Body of
Stars have not been discovered, to be together a proper Subject for
such Conjectures before, can surely only proceed from the Want of Time,
necessary to compleat the Observations proper for a Foundation to build
such an Hypothesis, or Theory upon. This is the great Article in which
the Moderns have so much, and ever will have, an Advantage over the
Antients. And hence it will appear, That
The Improvements and Discoveries of latter Ages are not at all owing to
the greater Capacity of the Moderns, but from the Advantages received,
or arising from the Inventions and Progress made by the Ancients. We
at first in a manner walked by their Leading-strings, and though many
of them now are broke, or useless, none can deny, but that formerly
they were of great Advantage in promoting and directing philosophical
Enquiries.
In an Assembly of the most eminent Men of all Ages, if we may suppose
such a Conference amongst the illustrious Dead, on Purpose to deliver
their several Sentiments familiarly together, on the most interesting
Subjects of natural Knowledge, who would not lament the Disadvantages,
poor old _Thales_, an _Hipparchus_, or a _Ptolomy_, would lie under,
who had nothing but the Eye of Reason to direct them, in Opposition to
the Judgment of a _Brahe_, or a _æ_, who reaped so much Benefit
from their compound Opticks? But on the other hand, perhaps if the
solar System, was the Topic of Discourse, a [H]_Pythagorean_ might very
pertinently say to a _Newtonian_, "You have not gone much farther in
the Light with our Direction, than we did in the Dark alone; for you
are still roving round the same Circles." Much might be said upon this
Head; but I believe it would be a difficult Matter to do Justice to
all Parties: So here I intend to leave them, only must observe, that
Posterity will always have the Advantage over their Predecessors; and
that After-ages, in all Probability, will reap so great a Benefit from
the Invention and Improvement of Fluxions, that scarce any thing, which
is the immediate Object of such Enquiry, will long lie concealed from a
true mathematical Genius.
[Footnote H: The true System of the Planets have been discovered above
two thousand Years.]
For this, in which he has surpassed all the Antients, and greatly
advanced the philosophical Sciences, the World is indebted to Sir
_Isaac Newton_.
But as many of his Discoveries, such as relate particularly to the
Laws of the planetary System, are but as so many Confirmations of the
Conjectures and Imaginations of Astronomers and Philosophers before
him, it perhaps will not be amiss to acquaint you a little with the
Astronomy of the Antients concerning the Universe. And before I
proceed to those of my own, shew you in the first Place how far their
Speculations in the visible Creation have been carried; and with these
I shall conclude this preparatory Epistle.
The Universe, or mundane Space, by which the Antients comprehend all
Creation, has, from time to time, according to the Progress of Science,
come under a sort of Necessity of being variously modell'd agreeable
to the Opinion of the several Authors, who have judged themselves
wise enough to write upon it with a mathematical Foundation: And the
cosmical System, by which is meant the Co-ordination of its constituent
Parts has undergone almost as many Changes as its Elements are even
capable of; every Age of the World, as Knowledge has increased,
either from improved Imagination, or repeated Observations, producing
something new concerning it.
Milton, no doubt, had all this Diversity of Opinions in View, as
appears from his supposed Pre-knowledge of _Raphael_, in the following
Passage, _Book._ VIII.