1(30 INTELLECTUAL GLOBE. 



within them. Wherefore we repose great hope and confi 

 dence in the methods of physics for advancing the science 

 of astronomy, meaning by physical inquiries, not those 

 which are commonly thought so, but only the doctrine 

 regarding those tendencies of matter which no diversity of 

 regions or position can detach or dissever from it. Nor 

 would we, therefore, (to return to our theme), wish any labour 

 to be spared, which could be employed in statements and 

 observations of the heavenly bodies. For in proportion as 

 there is a richer fund of appearances of this sort, in the same 

 proportion will the whole subject be more easily mastered, 

 and have more solidity. Of which, before we say any thing- 

 further, we have reason assuredly to congratulate the world, 

 both on the labour of mechanicians, and the diligence and 

 accuracy of certain learned men, that they have of late at 

 tempted so to speak, to establish by means of optical instru 

 ments, as by means of trading vessels and passage-boats, to 

 open up an intercourse with the heavenly bodies. And 

 this undertaking we regard as both in its end and endeavour 

 something noble and worthy of mankind. And such men 

 are so much the more deserving of praise, both in their 

 attempt and their basis of belief, because they have ho 

 nestly and distinctly planted before them the facts for exa 

 mination as they severally present themselves. It remains 

 only that they have perseverance united with great severity 

 of judgment, that they change their instruments, that they 

 increase the amount of evidence, that they subject to ex 

 periments each phenomenon, and frequently, and in a 

 variety of ways ; finally, that they both place before them 

 selves and lay open to others, whatever may be objected in 

 favour of the contrary conclusion, and that they do not 

 disdain to notice even the most minute incongruity, lest 

 that should happen to them which happened to Democritus 

 and his old woman about the figs of exquisite flavour, 

 namely, to find the old wife wiser than the philosopher; 

 and lest some silly and ridiculous mistake should lie at 

 the bottom of a high and soaring theory. Having pre 

 mised these remarks on the general subject, let us proceed 

 to a more detailed statement of our astronomical history, 

 in order that we may show both what, and what kind of 

 facts, ought to be inquired into in regard to the heavenly 

 bodies. First then we shall propose the questions of natu 

 ral philosophy, or at least some of them, and those of 

 greatest moment to the use of man. Next after these we 

 shall mention those uses to mankind which may probably 



