52 



Though the table we furnish does not present a regu- 

 larly graduated arithmetical progression, nature seldom; 

 presents us with precise applications of general rules T 

 and we must take her as she is. The leading principle 

 of solar arrangement is clear enough. Mercury and Venus, 

 whose orbits lie inside the orbit of the earth, appear like 

 pigmies in comparison with Jupiter and Saturn. 



Jf cosmic movement was limited to solar systems such 

 as I have sketched, it would soon undergo a change 

 without attaining the maximum results of life. The sun 

 utilizing the planetary oxygen would burn itself out by 

 degrees, becoming ever smaller and smaller. The dimi- 

 nishing solar radiance would chill the planets. The whole 

 system, deprived of circulation, would perish. But such is 

 not its cosmic destiny! 



The sun in fulfilling its function is nursing and tending 

 creatures like itself, and planets only attain their ultimate 

 perfection when they become suns. This is the idea of 

 the Cosmos! 



The process is, to us, enormously prolonged, and human 

 life is too brief for effectual research; but scientific inve- 

 stigation continues from age to age, and perhaps the time 

 will come when some favourites of destiny will live to 

 witness the grand transfiguration of a planet into a sun. 

 Meanwhile let us now modestly occupy ourselves witta 

 the study of the comets and the moon. 



