66 EXCURSIONS ROUND LONDON. 



Huygen ), at the conclusion of a work, in 

 which he maintains that the planets are 

 inhabited, and possess productions similar 

 to those of our own, adds, in the simplicity 

 of his heart, that if he were transported 

 thither, and should find no person to whom 

 he could communicate his ideas, so far from 

 their affording him a source of delight, his 



o r> 



soul would be overwhelmed with dismay. 



The Author of nature has created man a 

 social being; and in order to arrive at this 

 end he has adopted means less -wonderful 

 than those which he has employed to nlace 

 our senses in relation with external ob- 

 jects. 



Let us together, my young friends, exa- 

 mine some of these means ; and investigate, 

 as far as is compatible with our limited un- 

 derstandings, the counsels of that eternal 



o 



Beincr, whose goodness and benevolence to 



o ' O 



us weak mortals demand our warmest grati- 

 tude and admiration. 



Doubtless, by his almighty command, he 



might 



