1^ . 



first rude gaze of the Babylonian shepherd to the accurate 

 examinations of a modern astronomer, assisted by the elabo- 

 rate apparatus of a royal observatory, all were indispensably 

 necessary for the perfection of astronomical knowledge, and 

 the consummation of that great monument of human indus- 

 try and human understanding. Before a Newton or a La 

 Place could have shone forth upon the world, it was likewise 

 necessary that the Egyptian husbandman should have made 

 the first feeble efforts at geometrical measurement, that suc- 

 ceeding and more enlightened minds should have contributed 

 their assistance in extending and improving the confined 

 views of the former, that Euclid, and Apollonius, and Ar- 

 chimede should have added their labours, and that after- 

 ward, in a more advanced age, Cavallerius, Vieta and Wal- 

 lis, should have enriched with unexpected treasures, and 

 enlarged with new possessions, the orbis habitabilis of the 

 scientific world. Thus, even though no very distinguished 

 man should arise for ages, the great work of science conti- 

 nues advancing, fresh materials are every day added to the 

 mass of acquirements ; every year, as it passes, brings some 

 new offering of light and truth, until at length, when the 

 fulness of time is arrived, and a sufficient quantity of splen- 

 dor has been collected in this chaos of accumulated infor- 

 mation, the whole collected body undergoes one general 

 purification, one effulgent soul is made the receptacle of all 

 the light thus separated and refined, fresh rays of origina 



