ASTRONOMY. 215 



the sun, we cannot estimate ; but the immensity of the 

 sphere which is filled with its particles, even if it reached 

 no further than the orbit of the earth, we can in some sort 

 compute : and we have reason to believe, that, throughout 

 this whole region, the particles of light lie, in latitude at 

 least, near to one another. The spissitude of the sun's 

 rays at the earth is such, that the number which falls upon 

 a burning glass of an inch diameter, is sufficient, when 

 concentrated, to set wood on fire. 



The tenuity and the velocity of particles of light, as as- 

 certained by separate observations, may be said to be pro- 

 portioned to each other: both surpassing our utmost stretch 

 of comprehension, — but proportioned. And it is this pro- 

 portion alone, which converts a tremendous element into a 

 welcome visitor. 



It has been observed to me by a learned friend, as hav- 

 ing often struck his mind, that, if light had been made by 

 a common artist, it would have been of one uniform colour: 

 whereas, by its present composition, we have that variety 

 of colours, which is of such infinite use to us for the dis- 

 tinguishing of objects ; which adds so much to the beauty 

 of the earth, and augments the stock of our innocent 

 pleasures. 



With which may be joined another reflection, viz. that, 

 considering light as compounded of rays of seven differ- 

 ent colours, (of which there can be no doubt, because it 

 can be resolved into these rays by simply passing it through 

 a prism) the constituent parts must be well mixed and 

 blended together, to produce a fluid, so clear and colour- 

 less, as a beam of light is, when received from the sun. 



CHAP. XXII. 



ASTRONOMY.* 



My opinion of Astronomy has always been, that it is not 

 the best medium through which to prove the agency of an 

 intelligent Creator ; but that, this being proved, it shows 

 beyond all other sciences, the magnificence of his opera- 

 tions. The mind, which is once convinced, it raises to 



'^ For the articles in this chapter marked with an asterisk, I am in- 

 tlebted to some obligins: communications, received (through the hands 

 of the Lord Bishop of Elphin) from the Rev. J. Brinkley, M. A. An- 

 drew's Professor of Astronomy in the University of Dubhn. 



