SIR ISAAC NEWTON 107 



Kirchhoff showed, first, that each chemical element emits 

 certain rays having fixed places in the spectrum, and sec- 

 ondly, that many elements emit rays that coincide in their 

 position with the lines discovered by Fraunhofer in the solar 

 spectrum. From these coincidences we are enabled to assert 

 positive knowledge as to the chemical constitution of the sun 

 and other heavenly bodies far beyond the reach of any other 

 known method of analysis. 



Thus Newton seems by his magic touch to have opened 

 doors to mysterious chambers in nature's mansion, some 

 destined to become workshops for man's practical needs, 

 some treasuries of his mental wealth. Well did he deserve 

 the eulogy of the poet Pope: 



" Nature and nature's laws lay hid in night, 

 God said, ' Let Newton be,' and all was light!" 



