212 
ASTRONOMY. 
least, near to one another. The spissitude of the sun’s 
rays at the earth is such, that the number which falls upon 
a burning glass of an inch diameter, is sufficient, when 
concentrated, to set wood on fire. 
The tenuity and the velocity of particles of light, as as¬ 
certained by separate observations, may be said to be pro¬ 
portioned to each other; both surpassing our utmost stretch 
of comprehension; but proportioned. And it is this pro¬ 
portion alone which converts a tremendous element into a 
welcome visiter. 
It has been observed to me by a learned friend, as hav¬ 
ing often struck his mind, that if light had been made by 
a common artist, it would have been of one uniform color; 
whereas, by its present composition, we have that variety 
of colors which is of such infinite use to us for the dis¬ 
tinguishing of objects; which adds so much to the beauty of 
the earth, and augments the stock of our innocent pleasures. 
With which may be joined another reflection, viz. that, 
considering light as compounded of rays of seven different 
colors, (of which there can be no doubt, because it can 
be resolved into these rays by simply passing it through a 
prism,) the constituent parts must be well mixed and blend¬ 
ed together, to produce a fluid so clear and colorless as 
a beam of light is, when received from the sun. 
CHAPTER XXII. 
ASTRONOMY.* 
My opinion of astronomy has always been, that it is not 
the best medium through which to prove the agency of an 
intelligent Creator; but that, this being proved, it shows, 
beyond all other sciences, the magnificence of his opera¬ 
tions. The mind, which is once convinced, it raises to 
sublimer views of the Deity than any other subject affords; 
but it is not so well adapted as some other subjects are to 
the purpose of argument. We are destitute of the means 
of examining the constitution of the heavenly bodies. The 
very simplicity of their appearance is against them. We 
* For the articles in this chapter marked with an asterisk, I am indebted 
to some obliging communications received (through the hands of the Lord 
Bishop of Elphin) from the Ifev. J. Brinkley, D. D. Andrew’s Professor 
of Astronomy in the University of Dublin. 
