ConJlrudlion of the Heavens. 21 y 
which muff produce a balance that will effectually fecure all 
the great parts of the whole from approaching to each other. 
There remains then only to fee how the particular liars be- 
longing to feparate duffers will be preferved from ruffling on 
to their centers of attraction. And here I muff obferve, that 
though I have before, by way of rendering the cafe more fim- 
ple, confidered the ftars as being originally at reft, I intended 
not to exclude proje&ile forces ; and the admiffion of them 
will prove fuch a barrier againff the feeming deftruCfive power 
of attraction as to fecure from it all the ftars belonging to a 
duffer, if not for ever, at leaft for millions of ages. Befides, 
we ought perhaps to look upon fuch duffers, and the deduc- 
tion of now and then a ffar, in fome thoufands of ages, as 
perhaps the very means by which the whole is preferved and 
renewed. Thefe duffers may be the Laboratoriesof theuniverfe, 
if I may fo exprefs myfelf, wherein the moff falutary remedies 
for the decay of the whole are prepared. 
Optical appearances. 
From this theoretical view of the heavens, which has been 
taken, as we obferved, from a point not lefs diffant in time 
than in fpace, we will now retreat to our own retired flation, 
in one of the planets attending a ffar in its great combination 
with numberlefs others ; and in order to inveffigate what will 
be the appearances from this contradfed fituation, let us begin 
with the naked eye. The ffars of the firff magnitude being 
.111 all probability the neareff, will furnifh us with a ffep to 
begin our fcale ; letting off, therefore, with the diffance of 
Sirius or ArCturus, for inffance, as unity, we will at prefent 
luppofe, that thofe of the fecond magnitude are at double, and 
Vol. LXXV, F f thofe 
