NEBULAR HYPOTHESIS. 189 



and no more? Do we not, far more than ever, 

 require an origin of this origin ? an explanation 

 of this explanation ? Whatever may be the 

 merits of the opinion as a physical hypothesis, 

 with which we do not here meddle, can it for a 

 moment prevent our looking beyond the hypo- 

 thesis, to a First Cause, an Intelligent Author, 

 an origin proceeding from free volition, not from 

 material necessity ? 



But again : let us ascend to the highest point 

 of the hypothetical progression : let us suppose 

 the nebulosity diffused throughout all space, so 

 that its course of running into patches is not yet 

 begun. How are we to suppose it distributed? 

 Is it equably diffused in every part? clearly 

 not ; for if it were, what should cause it to gather 

 into masses, so various in size, form and ar- 

 rangement? The separation of the nebulous 

 matter into distinct nebulae implies necessarily 

 some original inequality of distribution ; some 

 determining circumstances in its primitive con- 

 dition. Whence were these circumstances ? this 

 inequality ? we are still compelled to seek some 

 ulterior agency and power. 



Why must the primeval condition be one of 

 change at all? Why should not the nebulous 

 matter be equably diffused throughout space, 

 and continue for ever in its state of equable 

 diffusion, as it must do, from the absence of all 

 cause to determine the time and manner of its 



