OF NATURE. 255 



confidered as worlds in diforder; for the orbits 

 of the planets are more regular, and their move- 

 ments more equal ; their temperature is always 

 the fame ; they feem to be places of repofe, 

 where, every thing being permanent, Nature is 

 enabled to eltablifh a uniform plan of operation, 

 and to mature fucceflively all her various pro- 

 ductions. Among the planets, that which we 

 inhabit feems to enjoy peculiar privileges. Lefs 

 cold and lefs diftant than Saturn, Jupiter, and 

 Mars, it is alfo not fo much fcorched as Venus 

 and Mercury, which appear to be too near the 

 body of the fun. Befides, with what magnifi- 

 cence does Nature mine upon the earth ? A 

 pure light, which gradually ftretches from eaft 

 to weft, alternately gilds both hemifpheres of 

 this globe. It is furrounded with a light and 

 tranfparent element. A mild and fertile heat 

 animates and unfolds all the germs of exis- 

 tence ; and they are nourifhed and Supported by 

 wholefome waters. Various eminences, diftribu- 

 ted over the furface of the land, ftop and coll eel: 

 the moift vapours which float in the air, and give 

 rife to perpetual fountains, lmmenfe cavities, 

 deftined for the reception of thefe waters, fepa- 

 rate iflands and continents. The extent of the 

 fea is as great as that of. the land. This is not 

 a cold and barren element. It is a new empire 

 equally rich, and equally peopled with the for- 

 mer. The limits of the waters are marked out 

 by the finger of God. If the fea encroaches on 



the 



