214 COSMICAL ARRANGEMENTS. 



We are certain, therefore, that our views, with 

 regard to this part of our subject, must be imper- 

 fect and limited. Yet still man has some know- 

 ledge with regard to various portions of nature ; 

 and with regard to those most general and com- 

 paratively simple facts to which we now refer, 

 his knowledge is more comprehensive, and goes 

 deeper than it does in any other province. We 

 conceive, therefore, that we shall not be engaged 

 in any rash or presumptuous attempt, if we 

 endeavour to point out some of the advantages 

 which are secured by the present constitution of 

 some of the general mechanical laws of nature ; 

 and to suggest the persuasion of that purpose and 

 wise design, which the selection of such laws 

 will thus appear to imply. 



CHAPTER X. 

 The Laiv of Gravitation. 



WE shall proceed to make a few observations 

 on the Law of Gravity, in virtue of which the 

 motions of planets about the sun, and of satellites 

 about their planets take place ; and by which also 

 are produced the fall downwards of all bodies 

 within our reach, and the pressure which they 

 exert upon their supports when at rest. The 

 identification of the latter forces with the former, 



