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228 On the Nature and Conflru&ion 
on the earth. There feems only to be wanting, in order to 
complete the analogy, that it fhould be inhabited like the 
earth. 
To this it may be objected, that we perceive no large feas 
in the moon: that its atmofphere (the exiftence of which has 
even been doubted by many) is extremely rare, and unfit for 
the purpofes of animal life: that its climates, its feafons, and 
the length of its days, totally differ from ours: that without 
denfe clouds (which the moon has not), there can be no rain ; 
perbaps no rivers, no lakes. In fhort, that, notwithftanding 
the fimilarity which has been pointed out, there feems to be 
a decided difference in the two planets we have compared. 
My anfwer to this will be, that that very difference which 
is now objected will rather ftrengthen the force of my argu- 
ment than leffen its value: we find, even upon our globe, 
that there is the moft firiking difference in the fituation of 
the creatures that live upon it. While man walks upon the 
eround, the birds fly in the air, and fifhes fwim in water 5 
we can certainly not object to the conveniences afforded by 
the moon, if thofe that are to inhabit its regions are fitted to 
their conditions as well as we on this globe are to ours. An 
abfolute, or total famenefs, feems rather to denote imperfec- 
tions, fuch as Nature never expofes to our view; and, on this 
account, I believe the analogies that have been mentioned 
fully fufficient to eftablith the high probability of the moon’s 
being inhabited like the earth. 
To proceed, we will now fuppofe an inhabitant of the 
moon, who has not properly confidered fuch analogical rea- 
fonings as might induce him to furmife that our earth is in- 
halived, were to give it as his opinion that the ufe of that 
great body, whied he fees in his neighbourhood, is to carry 
about his little globe, that it may be properly expofed to the 
light of the fun, fo as to enjoy an agreeable and ufeful variety 
oF iNumination, as well as to give it light by reflection from 
the fun when direét day -light cannot be had. Suppofe alfo 
that the inhabitants of the fatellites of Jupiter, Saturn, and 
the Georgian planet, were to look upon the primary ones, to 
which they belong, as mere attractive centres, to keep toge- 
ther their orbits, to direct their revolution round the fun, and 
to 
