I 

 I. TO IIAMPSTEAD. 



sublime spectacle made a deeper and more 

 lively impression on my mind, than the 

 most able descriptions 1 had ever read of 

 this phenomenon. It inspired me with the 

 most exalted idea of the human race. I 

 was delighted at beholding such sublime and 

 distant objects contributing to embellish 

 their abode. I dwelt with rapture on this 

 terrestrial globe, which Aurora seemed as 

 it were to create out of nothing, and which, 

 to my eyes, appeared as a magnificent do- 

 main, embellished by the hands of nature for 

 the reception of her favorite, man. Like the 

 generality of mankind, frequently had I 

 viewed the same spectacle with indifference. 

 But, being now led to reHect on the vast 

 distance of the sun from the earth, on the 

 wonderful phenomenon 'of light, and on 

 the curious structure of the human eye, even 



in its external form, my mind was filled with 



% * 



surprise and admiration ; and I experienced 

 Jiow much pleasure may be derived from 

 even a superficial study of the relations 



which 



