754 THE UNIVERSE. 



the tail at least, if not the body, of comets might be looked 

 upon as a sign of celestial wrath. 



The imagination of Maupertuis gave way to all sorts 

 of phantasies in respect to these nebulous stars. He 

 never forsook the idea that they were probably peopled by 

 a certain race of men; and in their phosphorescent tails the 

 astronomer saw only a dazzling train of jewels. In speak- 

 ing of such a contingency as a comet falling upon our globe, 



331. Dooati's Comet on 5tli October, 1858, near Arctums, as seen with the naked eye. 



he expresses himself thus: — "Earth would enjoy the rare 

 treasures which a body coming from so far would bring 

 to it. We should perhaps be much surprised to find that 

 the remains of these bodies which we despise are formed 

 of gold or diamonds ; but which would be the more sur- 

 prised of the two, ourselves or the inhabitants whom the 

 comet would land upon earth? What a strange appear- 

 ance we should wear in each other's eyes ! " — Lettre sur la 

 Comete, 1752. 



