28 THE EARTH. \LesSOH VI. 



tural day, or 24 hours. From mathematical prin- 

 ciples it has been demonstrated that the length 

 of the day is somewhat different at different parts 

 of the year, but the difference is very inconsider- 

 able ; one day when the Sun is in the equinoctial 

 being shorter by 40 seconds than when he is in 

 the tropics. There is also another motion of the 

 Earth, which occasions the precession of the equi- 

 noxes; but it is of too abstruse a nature to be 

 explained to you in a satisfactory manner, until 

 you have gained a better acquaintance with astro- 

 nomy. 



Here let us pause, and contemplate with humi- 

 lity, mingled with satisfaction, the abundant good- 

 ness of HIM " who hangeth the earth upon 

 if nothing," to us his creatures. He compels the 

 huge mass of inert matter on which we dwell, to 

 travel with wonderful regularity through the abyss 

 of space ; and in its progress the various parts 

 thereof are, by means of the diurnal rotation, 

 made to feel the. effects of the invigorating foun- 

 tain of light and heat. Were it not for this we 

 should sensibly feel the want of the returning sea- 

 Sons : no more should we see the valleys standing 

 thick with com ; nor should we behold the beau- 

 tiful verdure of the fertile meadow ; no more 

 would the trees spread forth their foliage, nor 

 would the plants be ornamented with flowers. Or 

 as it is expressed in the lang|tege of inspiration, 

 " No longer would the fig-tree blossom, nor 

 " fruit be in the vine : the labour of the olive 

 " would fail, and the fields could yield no meat : 



"the 



