8 Examination of the Theory of a Resisting Medium. 
of revolution.(31) ‘The younger Herschel refers to Encke’s me- 
moir; admits its conclusions, if the premises shall be found valid, 
and adds: ‘accordingly, (no other mode of accounting for the 
phenomenon appearing,) this is the solution proposed by Encke, 
and generally received.”’(32) Mrs. Somerville, adverting, also, to 
Encke’s memoir, deems the existence of resisting ether rendered 
“all but certain, within a few years, by the motion of comets ;” and 
this insinuated negation she quite recalls some eight pages afterwards, 
by substituting the emphatick words, ‘ which puts the existence of 
ether beyond a doubt.” The same pen not only prophesies that 
by this resistance, comets will be finally precipitated upon the sun, 
but also that ‘‘ the same cause may affect the motions of the planets, 
and be ultimately the means of destroying the solar system.”(33) 
Upon this memoir of Encke, theological arguments have been 
founded, having for their object to prove the destruction of the so- 
lar system, through the agency of this ether; and so certain has 
that result been considered, upon this authority, that the most posi- 
tive forms of expression have been employed in pointing to such a 
consummation.(34) 
It is believed that we have assembled, above, the leading facts and 
arguments upon the affirmative of the position of a resisting medium 
to the planets, so far as to embrace all that is requisite and necessary 
for a clear understanding and subsequent impartial investigation of 
the question. ‘The method of division incident to this arrangement 
has been adopted in the belief that such arrangement would afford 
a view, more distinct than any other, of the entire question. We 
proceed, then, to subject the several positions and arguments to ex- 
amination, in the order of their occurrence. 
The evidences, if any, upon which the Bramins and the Chalde- 
ans founded their belief in the existence of this ether, not having 
come down to us, the reasons for their faith are placed: beyond im- 
vestigation: nor are we better circumstanced in relation to the opin- 
ions of Alhazen, Tycho Brahe, and some others who, while they 
supposed such ether to occupy the celestial regions, gave no de- 
monstration of the fact, nor made-application of it to any of the 
(31) Silliman’s Journal of Science, vol. 17, p. 389. 
(32) A Treatise on Astronomy, American ed. p. 291. 
(33) Mrs. Somerville on the connection of the Physical Sciences. 
(34) Astronomy and General Physicks, considered with reference to: Natural 
Theology (one of the Bridgewater treatises) by the Rev. W. Whewell, of Trinity 
College, Cambridge. 
