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ried upwards, penetrated and animated by the presence 

 of that Divine effulgence, which shines on his soul with 

 the same light from Heaven as that which reaches his 

 eye from the remotest nebula. 



In accordance with these views, it is easy to show^ 

 that every important step which has been made in the 

 domains of science, has contributed largely to enrich and 

 vivify the sesthetic faculties. Who does not perceive 

 that many of the most sublime and beautiful passages 

 in the " Paradise Lost," are, as it were, the reflections of 

 those grand views of the universe developed by a full 

 recognition and appreciation of the Copernican system ? 

 How distinctly and admirably does the great epic poet 

 describe the rotation of the earth ! 



''Or slie from West her silent course advance, 

 With inoflfensive pace, ihat spinning sleeps 

 On her soft axle, while she paces even, 

 And bears thee soft with the smooth air along." 



In like manner, the central position of the sun, and 

 the orbital motion of the planets, form the theme of the 

 most beautiful poetic imagery. 



" That from his lordly eye keep distance due. 

 Dispenses light from far ; they, as they move 

 Their starry dance in numbers that compute 

 Days, months and years, towards his all-cheering lamp 

 Turn swift their various motions." 



The frequent allusions to the telescopic discoveries of 

 Galileo, in the same poem, show how deeply penetrated 

 was the mind of its immortal author, with the true 

 bearing of the great scientific achievements of the Seven- 

 teenth Century. For we must not forget, that the epoch 

 of Milton, was likewise the age of Kepler, Galileo and 



