I 885 .J 
Spiritualism and Science. 
5i3 
estimation have freed Swedenborg from “the stain of delu- 
sion and imposture.” 
so^/Tn i he f d ° a r ine ° f , Evolution was known in America 
so as to be familiar, I have heard Mr. Davis, in a state 
? P?|°?, chlng trar ? ce > dellver many lectures on subjects setting 
u 1 i he Sa ™ e < t ( h ® ones and Principles as those contained in 
Mr Darwin s Origin of Species.” In his normal state 
Mr Davis was not particularly intellectual ; in his trance 
state a very different estimate would be given of him. The 
matter apropos to R. M. N.’s observation on Swedenborg’s 
clem sion was a spiritual communication given through Mr. 
Davis (March 15 and 16, 1846) which applies to the planet 
JNeptune, and was announced several months before its dis- 
covery by Prof. Galle, of Berlin, in September, 1846. 
Science, of course, could know nothing of Mr. Davis’s pre- 
dictions: The ninth planet (or cometary body), being com- 
posed of particles accumulated by the motion of the great 
Sun observed the same plane by the same specific force » 
( Natures Divine Revelations,” p. 165). “The eighth 
planet (Neptune)* “ was next evolved, observing the same 
pnnciples of formation and the same general law of motion 
and was situated m the orbit of the former merely because 
its composition was more dense than the first one evolved. 
From perturbations observed in the motions of the planet Uranus it was 
supposed that they were occasioned by the presence of a planet beyond it. 
y t le advice of Arago, Le Verrier was induced to investigate the subietf: of 
the motions of Uranus. Complete elements of the orbit of the unseen planet 
Z^Ar yde - UCe 9 d ' makm ? its longitude 325°, as seen from the Earth in 
847. Adams, in 1845, attacked the same problem which Le Verrier took hold 
elVmenhf nfVhZ' 0a ° ber ' i8 45 - Adams communicated to Professor Airy 
dements of the planet so near the truth that, if a search had been made with 
a large telescope in the direction indicated, the planet could hardly have failed 
to be found. The Astronomer Royal was incredulous, and deferred his search 
for further explanations from Adams. The extraordinary circumstance is that 
no account was immediately published on the subjedt of Mr. Adams’s labours 
In the summer of 1846 Le Verner’s elements appeared. Observations of the 
planet as a star were actually made on August 4th, and again on August 12th • 
t fh he r°A S f e n V f t ^ nS ’i 0WmS t0 Challis .’ s engagements, were not reduced -3 
o the fadl that the planet vvas observed did not appear. In September, 1846 
Le Verrier wrote to Dr. Gall, at Berlin, suggesting that he should try to find 
t e planet. On September 23rd, 1846, the planet was discovered. Later in- 
vestigation showed that Lalande had observed the planet both on the 8th and 
10th of May, i 7 g 5 , but did not verify it as a planet. The planet Neptune 
presents the appearance of a perfectly round disk, about 3" in diameter of a 
pale blue colour. No marking has been seen on it. A ring was susp’edted 
but observation showed this suspicion to be without foundation. One satellite 
only has been discovered ( vide Newcomb’s “ Popular Astronomy, p. o s 8 et 
infra) . Uranus has (as recognised) two satellites ; Herschel supposed he had 
discovered six, but this has not been confirmed. Prof. Newcomb supposes 
there is a planet beyond Neptune ; discovery has not yet rewarded his 
search. 
