198 DE MORGAN'S ACCOUNT OF WRIGHT'S SPECULATIONS 



" Let us imagine a vast infinite Gulph, or Medium, every 

 Way extended like a Plane, and inclosed between two 

 Surfaces, nearly even on both Sides, but of such a Depth 

 or Thickness as to occupy a Space equal to the double 

 Radius, or Diameter of the visible Creation, that is to take 

 in one of the smallest Stars each Way, from the middle 

 Station, perpendicular to the Plane's Direction, and, as 

 near as possible, according to our Idea of their true 

 Distance. 



" But to bring this Image a little lower, and as near as 

 possible level to every Capacity, I mean such as cannot 

 conceive this kind of continued Zodiac, let us suppose 

 the whole Frame of Nature in the Form of an artificial 

 Horizon of a Globe, I don't mean to affirm that it really 

 is so in Fact, but only state the Question thus, to help 

 your Imagination to conceive more aptly what I would 

 explain. Plate XX I II. will then represent a just Section 

 of it. Now in this Space let us imagine all the Stars 

 scattered promiscuously, but at such an adjusted Distance 

 from one another, as to fill up the whole Medium with a 

 kind of regular Irregularity of Objects. And next let us 

 consider what the Consequence would be to an Eye 

 situated near the Center Point, or any where about the 

 middle Plane, as at the point A. Is it not, think you, very 

 evident, that the Stars would there appear promiscuously 

 dispersed on each Side, and .more and more inclining to 



B F 



DA H 



Disorder, as the Observer would advance his Station towards 

 either Surface, and nearer to B or C, but in the Direction 

 of the general Plane towards H or D, by the continual 

 Approximation of the visual Rays, crowding together as 

 at H, betwixt the Limits D and G, they must infallibly 

 terminate in the utmost Confusion ? If your Opticks fails 

 you before you arrive at these external Regions, only 

 imagine how infinitely greater the Number of Stars 

 would be in those remote Parts, arising thus from their 

 continual crowding behind one another, as all other 



