PRIMITIVE ASTRONOMY. 
437 
itself especially to the attention of the student of nature, namely, 
that the operations of the great laws which rule the physical world 
may also be traced hi the realm of mind. 
There is a rule, well known to naturalists, in the development 
of the animal races, and one to which we have frequently had 
occasion to refer elsewhere, that those creatures which hold a 
hig-her place in the scale of life, have to pass during’ their life- 
time through the various stages which characterise the humbler 
forms in tlieir perfect stage. Many examples might be addi ced 
from the history of the animal tribes to illustrate this fact ; but 
it is only necessaiy to refer to one, which we shall thus state 
familiarly. Man, hi the course of his physical development 
from the germ to me mature being, passes through the various 
forms assumed by the lower vertebrates in their perfect 
state. 
Now, the same law will be found to exist in the mental de- 
velopment of the individual, as well as in that of the whole 
human race. Each intellect, before it can become fully ex- 
panded, must pass through the stages of utter ignorance and 
semi-enlightenment, whilst the records of history show that 
the human race also has had an infant mind, and is passing 
through progressive stages of intelligence. 
The ancient Greeks and Hebrews, who conceived that the 
stars were set in the vault of Heaven, may be ranged side by 
side with the child who says that God has made a star ; 
believing that He has just set up a twinkling light in the 
heavens. 
The more advanced Pythagorean, seeking to break through 
the cloud of ignorance which obscured the intellect of his age, 
and groping his way darkly towards the truth, resembles the 
youth who passes through the probation of his school-days ; 
whilst the modem astronomer, who is still younger in know- 
ledge compared with those who will succeed him, may be 
likened to the young man immersed in his collegiate studies : 
upon whom the principles of truth have dawned, and who will 
employ the remainder of his life in their practical applica- 
tion ! 
This is no fanciful picture ; no vain and imaginary simile ! 
It is but another illustration of the unity and simplicity of that 
law which regulates the affairs of the universe ; alike bringing 
the humblest protophyte into existence, and developing the 
noblest of all living creatures — man ! And it is the enunciation 
of the awful yet beneficent will of that one great Creator 
and Euler, who has made, and who sustains and governs 
all things, visible and invisible — in the world of time as in 
that of eternity ! 
no. iv. 2 II 
