«ct. iv.] DISSERTATION SECOND. 1 4 1 



ing fhera from one another, offered, (o an astronomer, a 

 series of new and interesting observations. 



In Saturn he saw one large disk, with two smaller ones 

 very near it, and diametrically opposite, and always seen 

 in the same places ; but more powerful telescopes were 

 required before these appearances could be interpreted. 



The horned figure of Venus, and the gibbosity of Mars, 

 added to the evidence of the Copernican system, and veri- 

 fied the conjectures of its author, who had ventured to say, 

 that, if the sense of sight were sufficiently powerful, we 

 should see Mercury and Venus exhibiting phases similar 

 to those of the moon. 



The spots of Ihe sun derived an interest from their con- 

 trast with the luminous disk over which they seemed to 

 pass. They were found to have such regular periods of 

 return, as could be derived only from the motion of the 

 disk itself; and thus the sun's revolution on his axis, and 

 the time of that revolution, were clearly ascertained. 



This succession of noble discoveries, the most splendid, 

 probably, which it ever fell to the lot of one individual to 

 make, in a better age would have entitled its author to the 

 admiration and gratitude of the whole scientifick world, 

 but was now viewed from several quarters with suspicion 

 and jealousy. The ability and success with which Galileo 

 had laboured to overturn the doctrines of Aristotle and the 

 schoolmen, as well as to establish the molion of the earth, 

 and the immobility of the sun, had excited many enemies. 

 There are always great numbers who, from habit, indo- 

 lence, or fear, are the determined supporters of what is es- 

 tablished, whether in practice or in opinion. To these 

 the constitution of the universities of Europe, so entirely 

 subjected to the church, had added a numerous and learn- 

 ed phalanx, interested to preserve the old systems, and to 

 resist all innovations which could endanger their authority 



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