IV. INTRODUCTION. 



taken collectively, and iipijlied to pnrticular part.- 

 of the earth or countries. It may be otherwise 

 described as the product of latitude compounded 

 with the local accidents of the air and soil of 

 particular longitudes. But J shall proceed to 

 particulars. 



The CreatiojS'j or the whole sensible effect 

 of the cresative power of the Deity, which is called 

 the universie, seems, us far h:> we can judge of it, 

 to consist of innumerable bodies of a spherical 

 form, existing in iiifinitii space at certain distances 

 from each other, various in their bigness, appear- 

 ances, and functions, a)id moving according to 

 given laws. We call them variously — suns, stars, 

 planets, satellites, and comets. But a« the parti- 

 cular study of these is a i>art of the higher 

 astronomy, I shall pass it over, and go on to de- 

 scribe our own solar system, or the sun and his 

 attendant planets, which alone is necessary to our 

 present piu'pose, reminding the reader in the mean 

 time tliat the fixed stars are supposed to be distinct 

 suns, which may have the like systems of worlds 

 moving round them, aiul may be producing indivi- 

 dual life and happiness on their surfaces, in a 

 countless number of forms, and through a bound- 

 lessness of space, ajid in an endless series of ages 

 of time past and to come. For as the creator is 

 infinite in goodness and power ; so are the creatures 

 in number and variety. 



