30 
capable of aiding geology. But, because the celestial science 
has not condescended to aid the terrestrial, there is no reason 
why the terrestrial should not aid the celestial ; and geologists 
might therefore, without much presumption, tell the astro- 
nomers that the sun must once have done more in the north 
than it now does, and that they must examine their A, B, C, 
lest some slight facts should have escaped them, and their 
mathematical conclusions, built upon imperfect foundations, 
be consequently erroneous. 
This we would remark, would not be presumptuous, for it is 
merely geological facts versus astronomical theories. 
When we reflect upon the difficulty which astronomers 
have to encounter, not only with regard to their instruments, 
but also with the state of the weather, the refraction of the 
atmosphere, personal error of observation, and many other 
causes, it is most creditable to them to find, in spite of 
these drawbacks, how accurate have been their observations ; 
and that within the last twenty years they have been able to 
decide upon the latitude of their observatories to within 
six or seven seconds. (Vide Nautical Almanacs, 1845 — 
1859.) 
There are, however, two points upon which astronomers 
appear to be at least forming conclusions without evidence. 
These two points we may call theories. The first theory is, 
that astronomy is now the most complete, perfect, and 
accurate of sciences, and that in it, all has now been 
discovered. The second theory is, that all observers, in 
nearly all times, must have been most completely wrong if 
their observations do not agree with the present accepted 
theories. This latter theory is one which is so generally 
accepted, that it is not unusual to find modern astro- 
nomers, not only rejecting the observations of ancient 
astronomers, but actually ridiculing these observations, and 
citing them as proofs of the folly of ancient times. 
