84 



ated) atoms together so densely that the central forces, assisted 

 by the axial motion of the Nebulse would overcome the resistance 

 of the outward pressm'e ; resulting in the first planet, (Neptune) 

 being rolled off from the general body. As all real Nebulae ob- 

 servable in the heavens move round a centre, more brilliant than 

 the outside, so would our Nebulte revolve, and in casting off, 

 would give to the body the same motion as obtained in the mass. 



The speaker carried his audience into the immense depths of 

 space, where stars, double, triple, and numberless, form one dull 

 speck on account of their distance, the light from which would 

 take millions of years to reach our earth. Further still he stated 

 that clouds of Nebulfe in a gaseous state existed, and altogether 

 unresolvable into stars. As proof of this he mentioned tlie great 

 Nebula in the constellation Orion. That matter was eternal and 

 indestructable he maintained : but always changing. 



All stars and systems being in rapid motion : flying in all 

 directions in the infinity of space, will undoubtedly plunge within 

 the attraction of each other, thus two stars flying directly towards 

 each other, and approaching with velocities greatly accelerated 

 by the tremendous attraction of the bodies, would in a moment 

 of collision reduce themselves into gases. The process of con- 

 densation commencing again would probably result in the form- 

 ation of sun, planets and satelites. Thus order emerges from 

 apparent chaos or confusion. Suns lose their luminosity and 

 heat in death, and are only rekindled by the clashing of sun 

 against sun, being reduced instantly to vapour or Nebulfe, again 

 and again. Ad infinitum. 



ECONOMICAL AND CONSTITUTIONAL 

 RESULTS OF THE CRUSADES. 



By Rev. W. 8. CAIGER. November- 8th, 1887. 



Mr. Caiger gave an account of the Crusades and their origin. 

 He then spoke of the Latin kingdoms of Jerusalem and Constan- 

 tinople, and the rest of his paper was devoted to tracing the 

 indirect results of the Crusades ; first, in keeping back the tide 

 of Turkish aggression from Europe, and then preventing prema- 

 tm'e dispersion of Greek learning among peoples unprepared 

 for it. He also traced the influence of the Crusades upon the 

 development and the decay of feudalism, and in connection with 

 this, the growth of municipal institutions at the expense of 

 feudal laws. Dealing with the influence of the Crusades upon 

 the French language, Mr. Caiger said they tended to make it 



