THEORY OF THE FIRMAMENT. 15 



of natural history, and of philosophy, take a prospective 

 view subjects which, probably, the inquirer will be better 

 qualified to prove, in proportion to the depth of his re 

 searches into natural history. But again, however, do we 

 enter our protest against this fetter of intellect. In these, 

 as in other matters, we are sure of the correctness of our 

 career, though we be not so persuaded as to the station we 

 are entitled to hold in it. But we have mentioned these 

 topics during our intellectual journey lest any one should 

 suppose, that from a wavering judgment, or a destitution of 

 talent to maintain the position, we had a preference for 

 advocating negative questions. 



Wherefore we will retain, as the heavenly natures are 

 wont to do (since our treatise is of them), a dignified con 

 stancy. 



