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hypothesis has been based. We are not informed why some 
planets were spun so much more rapidly than others. There 
appears no explanation why all the planets rotate in the same 
direction, and why the sun also rotates. We cannot, unless 
we retreat to the first explanation, show why none of the 
satellites rotate in the same manner as do the planets, for the 
former merely rotate once during each revolution, and thus 
show only one side to their primary. In fact if we calmly 
reflect upon the cause assigned for the rotation of the planets, 
we shall perceive that the spinning theory is merely accepted 
for the want of a better, and we must, therefore, remember 
that it is not a fair hypothesis based upon observed facts, or 
upon the analogy of nature's laws, but merely a guess, which 
to us is valuable or otherwise according as we venerate the 
guesser. Bodies may be made to rotate on earth by means 
of imparting to them a rotating power, either by means 
of a string wound around them, or by the application of 
certain other mechanical forces. Then it is granted that, if 
there be no opposing force exerted against the motion 
imparted, the motion will continue uniform and for ever. 
Starting from these data, it has been assumed that the 
various planets were first made to rotate in this manner, (viz., 
by a spin) ; and in several important astronomical investiga- 
tions, this assumption has been treated almost as if it had 
been an observed fact, hence several other assumptions have 
been made, all of which are really untenable in consequence 
of their being based upon a mere guess. 
If the only known causes of rotation were the mechanical 
forces spoken of, we might be pardoned if we assumed as 
possible, that it was by such means that worlds were made 
to rotate. When, however, rotation may be caused in another 
way, we may then consider which of the two causes appears 
to be that most in accordance with nature's laws, and that 
system which we perceive to have been adopted in the universe. 
