Some Cranks and their Crotchets 419 



title : " David and Goliath, or an Attempt to prove 

 that the Newtonian System of Astronomy is 

 directly opposed to the Scriptures. By William 

 Lander, Mere, Wilts, 1833." And here is De 

 Morgan's terse summary of the book : " Newton 

 is Goliath ; Mr. Lander is David. David took 

 five pebbles ; Mr. Lander takes five arguments. 

 He expects opposition ; for Paul and Jesus both 

 met with it." 



There are few subjects over which cranks are 

 more painfully exercised than the figure of the 

 earth, and its relations to heavenly bodies. Aristo- 

 tle proved that the earth is a globe ; Copernicus 

 showed that it is one of a system of planets revolv- 

 ing about the sun ; Newton explained the dynamics 

 of this system. But at length came a certain 

 John Hampden, who with dauntless breast main- 

 tained that all this is wrong ! His pamphlet was 

 prudently dedicated "to the unprofessional pub- 

 lic and the common sense men of Europe and 

 America; " he knew that it could find no favor 

 with bigoted men of science. This Hampden, like 

 his great namesake, is nothing if not bold. " The 

 Newtonian or Copernican theory," he tells us, 

 " from the first hour of its invention, has never 

 dared to submit to an appeal to facts ! " Again, 

 "Defenders it never had; and no threats, no 



