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Book
PRESENTED BY
HIS WIFE
THE
PLURALITY OF WORLDS.
heard of
stand
"
Him
Job xxvi.
but
how
little
a portion
OTHER WORLDS
THAN OURS
THE PLURALITY OF WORLDS
STUDIED UNDER THE LIGHT OF RECENT
SCIENTIFIC RESEARCHES
RICHARD
PROCTOR,
A.
B.A., F.R.A.S.
Not
to this
ITS
Poorly confined
NEW YORK
D.
QBsri
Authorized Edition.
Gift
from
1932
PREFACE.
The general purpose
I have
had in view
in writ-
be seen
that,
on
to offer here a
few
detail.
many
this
attract attention
of the
by
new views
Each
as for
more
arguments in
successful than I
its favor.
have been in
my views,
am
free
If
I shall
I trust I
man
to re-
PREFACE
to
be defended
at
all
hazards.
]S
As Faraday
science.
mary
said,
of
pri-
be the case
if,
more
o weakness
of the student
Some among my
readers
will recognize, in
the
ness, in the
weekly
serials,
papers.
me
less ful-
and
in
it
has happened to
when
on a
I have
course to
my
accusers)
It is not often
pen.
own
ideas,
but that
is
to those
Wherever
tom
it
me
mj own
my compliments
which (unknown of
one
is
fresh ideas
late,
who (anonymously or
other-
that luxury.
under
my own
name.
have obtained
fresh evidence on
PREFACE.
some
the
ol
dealt
theories
pages.
One
phenomena ever
wit-
with
my
subject
seems to me to
my
plying heat
(if
made by
to their satellites.
sat-
"where
the limb,
ished."
Two
other
equally
competent
observers,
But
ance."
it
is
precisely
it is
true
student of ^Nature
course
The
most
is
The observation
is
at defi-
very startling,
is set
satellite
But I think
it is
not
its
is
our
all
rendered
PREFACE.
easier instead of
more
difficult.
change of shape
in
as-
sumption of the square-shouldered aspect, would obviously account for the phenomenon.
We
know
that
Here we have an
of Jupiter's outline.
effective con-
simultaneously
If
we
made
all
Maps
for
my new
Atlas (now
gregation
seem
to
among
me
to place
beyond
all
naked
eye,
which
an erroneous hypothesis
system of star-gauging.
The
fact
and covering
less
the
work
Supplemented by other
am
aware, been
facts detected
during
sociation Catalogue to
rich region
my
this
PREFACE.
the hypothesis
Mr.
I shall be enabled,
by
my Lecture
on May 6th
by
on
my
gation
among
may add
it is
my
theories respect-
That
dis-
had been
many
nebulae
are gaseous,
nebula
is so,
My
by Le Sueur
of Melbourne.
pected
were
theory correct.
among
Sir
Milky
William
My
first
Way
Herschel's
fundamental
PREFACE.
io
Intellectual
" Notes
it
was led
and
nebulse.
between
stars
friend, the
Student,
for
the
and
my
kind
Observer
and
in the chapter on
is
it
is
The
discrete bodies
John Herschel,
my
That
independently to
on Saturn
treatise
ance with
deed),
and
my mind when
(at
which time
scientific literature
is
Sir
by
The
was writing
my
Note
of the
line of reasoning is
acquaint-
definitely stated in
Ap-
wholly
to
in-
show
which
PREFACE.
11
may
be
In the preface to
my
its
treatise
present con-
on Saturn
may
one day
rec-
its
present state.
is
full
cently promulgated,
which seems
re-
conjuncture to affect mischievously the progress of research into this interesting question of solar physics.
I have heard with
much
theory.
with
it,
mathematician so
skilful
his
it
name
associated
incredible that
my best
PREFACE.
l2
A.
S., for
and
to
Mr. Brothers, F. E. A.
S., for
my
scrutiny.
Richard A. Prootor.
Lokdon, April 12, 1870.
CONTENTS.
PAGE
CH4V.
INTRODUCTION
I.
II.
What we
22
.
IV.
VII.
Till.
IX.
X.
XL
XII.
71
World
123
159
176
187
202
230
XIII.
.35
.... .97
III.
VI.
.17
V.
258
282
805
ILLUSTKATIOtfS.
....
^colored)
Frontuplcoe.
{colored)
to
face p. 104
to
face p. 105
page 146
{colored)
....
{colored)
{plan)
{section)
face p. 167
to
page 262
page 262
page 264
page 268
.........
page 278
page 279
IN
HEAD OF
ARIES
page 280
17
to
face
p. 302
;
:
INTRODUCTION.
Astronomy and Geology owe much, of their charm
to the fact that
life
teaches us of days
when
We turn
we
Geology
was peopled with
now are not found upon its
are familiar.
this earth
when
The
air is heavily
18
we now find
one day
eras.
Astronomy has a kindred charm. We cannot indeed examine the actual substance of living creatures
existing
upon other
celestial bodies
we cannot even
But
we
see proofs
which we
live,
on
and
con-
We further find
is
matched by a thousand thousand suns amid the immeasurable depths of space and the mind's eye pictures other worlds like those which course around the
sun, travelling in stately orbits around his fellow;
luminaries.
revealed to us,
men
of inquiring minds
who has
discussed such
highest eminence
questions,
in science.
but
men
of the
INTR OD UCTION.
regarded,
itself
under
new
The
aspects.
charm belonging
question, in
new and
to subjects
ever old.
which men
it is
asso-
of
for
modern
science.
instance,
two
disputants.
No
and
doubt a large
skill
with
which each of them presented the arguments belonging to his own side of the controversy, few could have
read with any interest a discussion on a subject so
well worn, had it not been that the arguments were
drawn from the discoveries which had recently been
made by astronomers. Nor was it uninteresting to
notice how these discoveries at once seemed to acquire
a new interest when they were associated with the
Facts which had
subject of life in other worlds.
attracted little notice at the time of their discovery, at
when
it
2o
were enforcing.
gard
many
No
if
we connt by
years, has
elapsed since the " Plurality of Worlds " and " More
Worlds than One " were written. Yet so rapidly has
science progressed, that already the subject of
new
aspect.
life in
Arguments
facts,
One
is
anew a
subject which
sifted
by
men
stellar systems.
Never, since
celestial depths,
coveries rewarded
the
labors
of
first
explored the
dis-
astronomers and
INTRODUCTION-
And
scheme.
21
which bears
we have
learned to recog-
is
My
is
not
Man.
But
it
is
when we
consider recent
worlds,
when we attempt
immense
to
to the
closed
by modern
full
researches, that
we
dis-
recognize the
Although the
ever accompanied by a
is
unknown
we have
we seem
Come on
The
steps of time.
CHAPTEE
I.
US.
stances under
surround us appear to
inquire
how
subsist,
it
may
be well to
far
consideration
which
exist
is
to argue directly
from the
fact
other planets are inhabited also, nor thence to the conclusion that other stars have, like our sun, their attend-
life.
An
but certain, as
we
shall presently
Certainly she
is
is
inhabited by
inhabited by none
US.
23
another light.
earth's surface
If
is full
we range
of significance.
ice,
its
On the
blazing heat,
its
life flourishes
in a
long-continued droughts,
its
trying alternations of oppressive calms and fiercelyhurricanes, nourishes even more numerous
and more various forms of life than either of the great
temperate zones. Around mountain-summits as in the
depths of the most secluded valleys, in mid-ocean as in
raging
we
But
find a
this is far
of other
varieties
we
24
The
He
remains
tered
creatures
few of
those
old-world
preserved, the
others
of only
clearest evidence
that thousands of
now
He knows
existing, scarcely
one
from superimposed
lition,
strata, to
life.
2S
prodigal of
life.
We
wide
limits,
Nor
is
like
wide
they seem to be
as
spoken
In
we have
of.
fact, if
we
restrial analogies
unaffected.
We
as
so founded
on terargument
assume that the argument
is
have to
26
The moon
all
times habitable.
The sun
And
all
same lesson.
necessary that
many
the midst of
perplexities
fitness or
life,
of
soil,
is
we yet
Some minute peculiarity
absolutely uninhabitable
the other.
thrives in
stances in
which an apparently
insignificant
change in
first sight,
not, at
And
it
processes of change to
is
races
now
subsisting on
its
surface,
number
of the
US.
2j
adapt themselves continually to the varying circumstances under which they live.
The
lesson taught us
by
this peculiarity is
very
obvious.
On
see that it
would be by
no means
resemblance
we
is
we
are
we
is
uninhabited.
we have been
banish
life
of
life
all
forms of
as
upon us
On
the
considering
would
suffice to
life
which
exist
tions.
On
our
and of physical
habitudes generally, which are much more important
than those hitherto dealt with. "We see that not only
would certain races perish in the long-run, if removed
from their own abode to other parts of the earth, but
that, in some instances, the process of destruction would
earth
If
we were
to
28
to
warmer
the
would
see the
we
find a
power of enduring
Those creatures,
other races.
for example,
which man
the seemingly
subdued to
Even man
is
power of migration.
The Englishman,
fiercest
for example,
terest cold
bit-
But he
must send
There can be
little
doubt that
if
a thousand
men and
animals which
which
is
tolls
man
and enjoy, as
in
country were to
this
US.
2g
tives),
couple of centuries.
unfitness, accord-
if
other countries.
We
before, but in a
more
same lesson
striking manner.
We
as
see that
own
earth,
which render particular countries absolutely uninhabitable by particular races, insomuch that, though the
individual might survive, the race itself would quickly
And we
perish.
see,
more
fortu-
nate abodes.
Now,
if
in-
yet
it
was possible
to learn
how
might be reached, that some at least of those inaccessible regions must be wholly uninhabited, simply
because their physical habitudes appeared un suited
to the wants of the only creatures with which the
observer was familiar.
ample, that
men
can
live,
Who
Again,
if
we knew nothing
of India, and
with,
which replace
to the
and
all
who could
believe
that,
men
that
tem-
perate zone
it
will not
be
sufficient to
prove that
their surface.
Yet another
step
There
however.
farther,
are
The
our
own England
indeed, there
would not be
is
is
death to
many
numbers of
And,
creatures.
though thus
air of
many
which
live
spot,
inhabited by
others,
animals and
Yet each
its sur-
face.
* Perhaps the most striking instance of man's power of living under
circumstances seemingly the most unfavorable,
is
to
be found
in the
by the rarity of the air at great elevations, yet races of men live and thrive hi
Potosi, Bogota, and Quito, and
to use the words of a modern writer
that bull-fights should be possible at an elevation at which Saussuro
fact that,
is
affected seriously
hardly had energy to consult his instruments, and where even his guides
fainted as they tried to dig a small hole in the snow,
is
show
We
US.
3,
are taught, by
that a planet
prove that
it is
therefore uninhabited.
What
we not
could
familiar with
the fact, than that there are living creatures within the
many minutes ?
how
element which
river
creatures, each
race
as
We
that,
If fishes could
is
death to them
alike
well
which
we
that orb
is
peopled with
adapted as
it is
its
placed.
We
even though
our-
in comfort in that
living
we
see
would
at once perish if
we cannot
uninhabited.
On
removed
to the conclusion
fish
which cannot
only live out of water, but can travel across the dry land, or climb trees,
tdfords
32
that
many
worlds
living creatures
would
animalcule
moments.*
There remains yet a
terrestrial analogies.
perish in a few
last lesson to
On
be drawn from
its
being.
Yet even
all
her working
forms of
already exist.
scene of
is
to afford scope
The volcano
activity will
its
and room
for
new
life,
will
die
out,
and the
moment
melt, and
busy
life.
its
in its
consuming
fires.
The
iceberg will
But
this is little.
It is the
work of which
boring districts.
US.
33
volcano
is
what
signifi-
Tho
is
making continents
of oceans
But
it
which
exist
upon the
earth.
depends.
And
so
of a multitude of other
bound
in a cold
we know
were
arctic frosto
34
would seem
npon and
even then we could not conclude that the
principal purpose for which the Almighty had created
within
it
it
,-
come.
life,
either in long-past
And
lastly,
though we
it
which
life in
it
other ways.
seems
serve as
are led
by
has yet
So that
they are, have ever been, and must ever remain uninhabited, speak to us,
no
less
exist-
CHAPTER
II.
SUN.
am
dealing with,
them
us.
I wish to consider
Let us
first
Then
let
him endeavor
36
He will then
have formed some conception, though but an inadequate one, of the enormous dimensions of the earth's
is cast.
nary sitting-room.
A room about
twenty-six feet in
scale,
Such
solar
is
system.
The
largest of his
earth or
Yenus almost
to nothingness,
spoken
of.
when we merely
regard
his dimensions.
fully seven
around him, so
of his attraction,
all
that,
when we regard
still
find
we
the energy
him a worthy
ruler of
all,
SUN.
37
body of the
solar system.
It is
when we
what
is
the
see
scheme.
may
it is
as it
But the
worlds.
indeed be so
sent
it
subject
is
difficult to
to our contemplation.
way
Nor
we remember
that
it
implies a mo-
rate exceeding
38
surface-stains,
The changes
of appearance presented
by the
spots aa
they traverse the solai disk led Dr. Wilson to form this
theory so far back as 1779
it is
hanging suspended
at a considerable ele-
analogies,
was led
to look
from
terrestrial
He
argued
we
we
ings
may
impressed upon them, for a length of time corresponding to the weeks and months during which the solar
spots enduie.
And
umbra or
nucleus, Herschel
mg
two beds of
SUN.
39
self-
and
it
from
would otherwiso
receive.
The darkness
may
possibly be
is
found,
on the contrary, to give proof that in that neighborhood the sun is hotter, because it parts less readily
with
its
We
heat.
Meantime
let it
how
this
is.
two
zones on our
own
younger
from
had formed.
He
terrestrial analogies.
On
our
own
storms have their birth, and rage with their chief fury.
Here, therefore,
spots, if only
any
causes
resembling
terrestrial cyclone
those which
generate
the
make
their appearance.
40
We know
is
is
Ordinarily,
therefore,
cause tornadoes.
is
insufficient to
maintain
Now we
more
sun shines
directly
be
little
axis, this
oblate spheroid,
solar
equator.
is
shallowest.
equator which
is
SUN.
41
terrestrial cyclones,
seems
satisfactorily established.
It
this reasoning,
If there
ought to be appreciably
less
words,
But
is
This
is
interpretation.
It
is
may
its
we
terrestrial
nature.
discoveries ever
a periodic manner.
We
owe
work.
Schwabe found
At
as gradually diminish.
comes not only clear of spots, but a certain wellmarked darkening around the border of his disk disap-
At
and
this
time the
Then gradually
become more and more numerous,
is
disk.
Kew
minor
As
variations.
is
marked by
several
be traversed by small ripples, so the gradual inand diminution in the number of the solar spots
are characterized by minor gradations of change, which
will
crease
of the planets
what way
upon the
that influence
perfectly clear.
solar photosphere,
exerted
is
is
though in
not at present
that the
mere
some
sort
in the
solar envelopes.
power of the
a planet
when
distance,
it
in perihelion
when
in aphelion.
SUN.
43
this
riod.
in
marked
periods.
so
much
to account
fact that
many
spots, at another it is
at present concerned so
much
We have to
consider rather
than
why
is
these
so.
him
to change
If
Herr
moved himself
sun's disk
ences
lies
effective
been able
crease
its
light
is
The discovery
sun's
of the
we have
is
to consider.
that,
came
to be carefully examined,
spond to a
sort of effort
For example,
its
sun
make equal
its
Four times
mean
is
in the
position, or is di-
sun
4.5
SUN.
But,
when the
Had
minute
variation,
phenomena.
But
men
science
was
to do
much
more.
The
into
spirit so exacting,
all
It is thus that
But
it
is
*.6
to
are being
and
fancies,
The minute
carefully
minute
watched
oscillatory change.
oscillatory
was
least until it
had reached
no
less
its first
its
value,
much
change was
satisfactorily determined.
The reader
The
to.
tend
period of ten and a half years, and the magnetic diurnal vibrations vary within a period of the
ration.
It
might seem
same dutwo
presents in any sense even a general view of the labors of those who
have studied the earth's magnetism. I touch only on those points by
which the association between the earth's magnetism and the physical
because these points
condition of the sun is most clearly indicated
Hew they do so will appear
alone bear on the subject of this chapter.
;
further on.
+7
the idea
first
occurred to Lamont,
it
it
facts,
expectation in
we may
when
the correspondence
of the
needle's
over
its
is
Then the
vibrates
indicates
The
vibra-
the progress of
magnetism
which are known as magnetic storms, have been found
not merely to be most frequent when the sun's face
is most spotted, but to occur simultaneously with the
appearance of signs of disturbance in the solar photosphere.
j.8
eminent
-the
solar observer,
The
was
so intense, that
he ima-
gined the dark glass which protected his eye had been
By
broken.
Now it
self-register-
Kew Observatory
had
The reader
lations
very
will
now
which hitherto
see
connected with
little
my
subject.
He
sees that
there
is
sun
But
if
so
much
magnetic influences.
we
dis-
But beyond
SUN.
The
as the
feels
magnetic wave
thrilled
is
rolls in
light.
upon
it
then Saturn
which
lie
are swept
by the
ever-
"Who
what outer planets it then seeks ? or who,
looking back upon the course over which it has travlessening yet ever-widening disturbance-wave.
shall say
elled, shall
produced
of
the
or
terrestrial
planetary magnetic
storms.
When we remember
that
what
is
true of a rela-
is
true also
is
at
influ-
we
of union ex-
The
all his
warms them,
the
mem-
so strik-
ingly to indicate that the ends for which our earth has
OURS.
when He planned
the other
mem-
members
Hitherto
the telescope
by means
learned
powers.
troscope,
what
it
it is
its
many
of
its use,
my
Were
without describing
in reality
facts
We may
re-
all,
mode of working,
He
has estab-
time.
We
know
infinite,
nature than
Lime
it
but
SUN.
concern
Our
us.
earth
isle
which
a minute
as
is
and to the
lie like
other
With
isles
amid the
which
By
to
else
would have
Precisely as
and
fall
through a wide
Light proceeds.
The
the appliances
by which
its full
is
simple, though
$2
emerge unchanged
ferent portions
that
travel side
in character.
Dif-
differently bent, so
The
side as before.
from
violet
less
and
less.
way
rough work
work of the
spectroscope.
It is well
worth
many
of the wonders of
modern
placed with
its
refracting angle
downward and
having
its
violet
hori-
end up-
it.
we take
ular color,
really
is.
we know, from
on the prism.
They
own proper
is
in reality
SUN.
S3
formed of a multi-
tude of overlapping images, varying in color from vioIt thus appears as a rainbow-tinted streak,
let to red,
long, there
would
still
be overlapping images
but
if
were square.
much
as possible
oblong
were in
all
slit
as
narrow
reality
an
as possible
infinite
we make
the
might be
so
narrowed
as
not to overlap
in
which
case,
Or, again,
if
we failed
in finding gaps
In other words,
dations corresponding to
all
^4
the effect
we
call color is
light-
we
him light-waves
Of
all.
so
of
many
is
ordi-
nary daylight.
But
and
hopeless,
time
it
and
to
many would
They examined
like),
and
lines.
lines
dif-
ferently arranged.
They
number of
ac-
it
passed.
SUN.
55
from an incan-
various
facts,
through
seemingly too
them
into unison.
all
to
bring
double dark
line,
sun
is
due
dark
lines) in the
spectrum of the
vapor of sodium in
the solar atmosphere, and that this vapor has the power
this, that
it
emits.
the other
dark lines in the solar spectrum are due to the presence of other absorbent vapors in
that the identity of these
its
atmosphere, and
est ab-
it
capable of absorbing.
The general
principles to
wliicli liis
ples
researches led
in
basis of spectrum-analysis
are
as
follows
An
1.
tinuous spectrum.
2.
lines,
so that,
one can
own
its
An
by dark
crossed
same position
spectrum
rainbow-tinted
lines, these
so that,
to the
tell
the
* To these
4.
it
If the reflecting
to it is
7.
make up
for
or they
in
may
emit just so
much
will
ligh
as to
remain no trace
of their presence.
8.
The
compounded
According
to
new method
SUN.
of research to
It
57
number
pors of iron,
calcium, magnesium,
other metals.
The dark
lines
chromium, and
corresponding to these
seem
it
lead,
the sun
indeed
arsenic,
though we
is it at all
silver,
mercury,
his substance.
we
Now we
notice
at
once
how
importantly these
It
upon
itself,
$8
it
all probabil-
ity,
We
we found
we
are acquainted,
when
earth.
certainly, that
we
the elements
all
we
we
are
in
all
in
differences: in
There
may
of course be special
may
differ,
and even
differ
very
that the
been
known
any reason
as terrestrial; for
for believing that
we
cannot recognize
all
It
will
be seen,
in the
WHAT WE LEARN FROM THE
SUN.
$g
For
will be
it
it
all,
be asserted that
or nearly
all,
Hence we conclude
concave.
around
that
which we are
And
familiar.
intended to subserve.
in
the
mind
is
immediately
circling
around
Sirius,
present
is
we
speculate
either now
or in the past, or at
purposes which
man makes
it
subserve.
The imagi-
world.
trades
We
know how
civiliza-
we
element which
is
so
of an
we
are to form
60
man,
new
to believe, with a
would I enter
at length
esting discoveries
with the
last
two
Gladly too
on an account of those
inter-
in connection
The
re-
warn me
to
forbear.
One
nected with
my
been proved that the solar prominences conof glowing vapors, hydrogen being their chief
It has
sist
constituent.
It has
been found
also,
by comparing
borhood of the solar photosphere, these vapors probably exist at a pressure so moderate as to indicate
that the limits of the sun's vaporous envelope can-
not
lie
layer.
Now,
So
61
by
his
fail to
many thousand
In
fact,
it
could
we can
be as rare as
upon the
such an atmosphere,
let
conceive,
its
earth.
outermost layers
if
its
not solidified, by
We
this.
corona to be a
solar atmosphere.
Yet
it is
am aware
such a conclusion.
In the
place, the
first
moon
mere
fact
that,
during a
when properly
understood, the
is
also.
That
this is so is
as
moon
is
is
but slightly
it
62
The
And, secondly,
as
out,
in questiou,
we ought
distance from
understood,
* It
is
also
is
the sun.
shown most
conclusively,
mentioned,
argument
we
fails.
expand
until
difficulties
presently to be
shall
it all
There
Now, conceive
Still
will
be atmospheric
this small
moon
to
moment when
the
moon just
that body.
It is only
moon's limb.
lias
SUN.
63
and
it
how
During the
we
by
is
If
by
Referring to the
will
be seen that
we
It is difficult to
suppose that
phenomenon.
shone by
already adduced.
E"ow_,
facts for
(i.)
54
Let
it
lines
Since
we have
of the aurora
is
due to
air, we are
may be due
invited to
to similar
Now, though
to
some
is
due
upper regions of
air.
In
all
all
times present
probability, they
continually encountering.
meteor-systems must be
And
since
we know
that
light,
way the
spectrum may be
In
this
We
know,
WHAT WE
LEAR'S
FROM THE
SUN.
65
eclipse.
What
corona
is
for,
without
phenomenon
reis
terrestrial one.*
at least the
We
tions.
know
is
rela-
associated
Astronomical Society,
the counter-trades
will serve to
by
but
pheric
indeed,
in
wholly untenable.
5
prevail.
The hypothesia.
66
We know, also,
upon the
earth's atmosphere.
and that in
mass
suffices
his
planet Mercury.
It
would not be
Mr. Baxendell,
also,
magnetism point to the existence of such a family of bodies and he has been
able to assign to them a position according well with
that determined by Leverrier.
Now, whatever opinion we form as to the exact
character of the system of bodies pointed to by the
researches of Leverrier and Baxendell whether we
suppose that system to form a zone around the sun,*
or that (as I believe) the system is merely due to the
variations in the earth's
borhood
this,
am
that during
fail to
become
a
WHAT WE LEARN FROM THE
Hence there is a double
put forward by Mr. Lockyer and
it fails
by the corona
67
risible.
place,
SUN.
In the
others.
first
to render an
it fails
this reason
these views
We
must be regarded.
know
light
Whence
suggests itself
amazing
stores of force
does the
sun
from whence he
derive
is
those
continually
sumed
in a
few thousand
years.
We know that,
were
he simply a heated body, radiating light and heat continually into space, he
exhausted
all his
would
in like
manner have
our reason
tells
it
68
Now,
there are two ways in which the solar enermight be maintained. The mere contraction of
the solar substance, Helmholtz tells us, would suffice to
gies
if
the
many
thousands of
diameter.
sun's
all
of worlds.*
It
seems
far
is,
for
fall
upon the
sun.
And
if
the
,o
helia of
many
* Altogether undue stress has been laid upon the probable change iu
the length of the year, owing to the downfall of meteors upon the
sun'ii
SUN.
69
emission.
It is well
worthy of
We
know
is
Now, in
the enormous
dif-
by the emission of
question
is
worth inquiring
into,
And
whether we can
the
in-
deed assume that the meteors which reach our atmosphere are solid bodies, and not rather of cometic
fusion
since
it
is
difficult
dif-
Friction through
And
all
probability, associated
are,
manner with comets, we may recognize in this diffusion, as well as in the mere downfall of meteors, the
source of an enormous supply of light and heat.
And
lastly,
we
formed by meteoric and cometic systems for otherwise each would quickly cease to be a sun. Each starsun emits, no doubt, the same magnetic influences
;
which give
and
own
restrial
that on
which we
refer to ter-
them
also there
must
be, as on our
own
earth,
In those
trackless oceans; in
while,
ens,
amid the
constellations
which deck
their heav-
celestial
vault, a
CHAPTER
III.
we have
system,
draw a marked
to
distinc-
habited
is
concerned,
es of reasoning to
Until
it
we may apply
life
is
inhabited.
But
it is
impossible to con-
earth, than
we find
among the outer planets. We are struck, at once, with
the marked effects which seem associable with their
different set of relations to deal with than
This feature
72
are
of their year
we have
that
to deal with.
to the
more
to circle yet
closely than
it
we have
saw a dark
object,
round
whose name
is
of Liais,
astrono-
on the solar
disk.
There
is
all
unlikely
Still, as
yet
we
known
to astronomers,
bounds of the
sideration of bodies
examined.
Mercury
circles
months.
So
must
73
liglit
when he removes
one-half.
Undoubtedly these
belief that
this planet,
We see,
adapted to
much more
at
upon
are familiar.
upon the
And
subsist
we
structure has to be
their
Let
on Mercury must be
life
see
around
us.
us,
It has
we
axis, and, if
we may put
is
been
equator
is
lies.
It has
much more
but
little
reliance
74
We
some
seasons of
sort
we
perature quite as
marked
as those
known
which characterize
in tropical regions.
Of
course, if
Near
cli-
his poles,
cles.
At
down upon
the planet an
amount
There
is
portion of the planet, at any rate, the Mercurial seasons might be tempered.
If his axis
is
so placed that
planet
is
it
may
very well happen (the inclination of his axis being suitably adjusted) that this so-called winter season
is
the
of the
But
75
In
this
in the
correspond to
is
very
much
which Mercury travels, it cannot be doubted that no form of life known upon earth
can possibly exist upon Mercury, without some special
arrangements for tempering the seasonal changes.
This will appear when we come to deal with the effect
of the great inclination which some astronomers have
ascribed to the equator of Yenus, and therefore we
need not consider the relation with regard to Mercury,
of whose axial inclination no trustworthy information
has hitherto been obtained.
It remains for us to consider what sort of provision
may have been made to temper the great heat poured
by the sun upon Mercury.
inclined to the plane in
The
largely influenced
is
planet's atmos-
phere.
in
We
we ascend
to the
mnch
the air
summit of
colder than at
a lofty mountain,
its
we
find
In India, though
base.
Not
The heat
have no power.
is,
intercepted
by vapor-laden
not heated.
it
Owing
it
even
But the
air.
that the
in reality,
air itself is
and dryness,
earth,
We have,
cerned,
two points
to dwell
upon
the
is
con-
readiness with
which
space.
it
Now, we might
feel
"At
10,000
feet, in
January, at 9
a. m.,
it
Everest at a temperature of
little
more than
160.
7?
We
is
relatively
know
much
Thus we
cooler than
to
It is not true
Andes
in the case
supposed
but the
and more
warmer because the
air is denser
means
We
must
result
we
are
we know
of,
78
We
encountered.
air,
with-
Mercurial inhabitants.
Whether
in this
when we
rays
may
way we
in-
be doubted
upon the
It will
In
would comview of
fact, this
sofferir
Dante
torment! e caldi e
as
doomed
gieli."
Whewell proposed
to people
to
Yenus
with.
consider whether an
We
have
The ordinary
we have no analogy
so tliat
that, possibly, a
7g
it
as
by no means
we
would follow
Up
mosphere.
crease
of warmth
increase
And,
rays.
as I
have
said, the
only climatic
effect
we
warm
may well
as to
be
it
is
that of
we know
a cloudy day
day,
But, just as
that
commonly
serves as a protection
So
more
distant
led to see in
Although Mercury is not a planet which can be satisfactorily examined with the telescope, yet, so far as can
be judged from his aspect, his atmosphere is in reality
go
the evidence on
Still
from satisfactory
is
far
pare the light he then sends us, with that of Jupiter at his brightest, on
the assumption of equal reflective powers,
we must take
Jupiter at a
put
all
full
(3,000)
i (4)
The observation above
state of things
(15)
find,
(9O,000) 2
m
S
2 (9(y)00,000) 2 x (30,000,000) 2
or
We
is
cited
is
(30)
(360,000,000) 2 x (450,000,000)*
2
,
or exactly 2 to
sufficient to
1.
different
different.
%\
when the two planets were very close toMercury being nearly at his brightest, whereas
Jupiter, then near conjunction, was considerably less
bright than when in opposition.
Yenus was close by,
and outshone both Mercury and Jupiter.
23, 1868,
gether,
It
seems
difficult,
it
cir-
partly in shadow.
is
cloud-layer
much
light as
it is
would be seen
still,
clouds
may be
who do not
look at the
fall,
After
all,
visible.
the reader
may
of Mercury places
lire,
whose dan-
g2
(that
is,
manage
There
municate.
may
to com-
the other
may
cir-
much
travel to
night.
run, or sheltered
can be none,
if
sun's heat
find
its
suffice to boil
way
there.
minished
tend to
effects
of gravity
upon
its
would
and the
surface
easier,
What
cury had a
members of the
satellite,
we
could
solar system.
tell bis
weight
If Merat once.
way
cause
we
is
83
how much
turbance of a comet
planet's attraction.
Formerly,
of the dis-
due to the
was supposed that
the mean density of Mercury was equal to that of
lead; but, from the perturbations of Encke's comet in
is
it
diameter
Mercury.
Gravity at his
not more
It follows
Hence
ounces on Mercury.
is
is little
about
is
earth's.
less
than seven
very
much
simpler
But
Mercury.
at the outset
in situation,
we
and in density,
But in
size,
amount of
Venus bears
in the
light
sun,
more
In
fact,
is
many striking points of similarity; but between neither of these pairs can we trace so many features of resemblance as those which characterize the
twin planets Venus and Terra, while the features of
present
but a
moon
in the
we might doubt
exist
more ob-
Had Venus
whether,
which are so
And
here
we may pause
for a
moment
to consider
Are we indeed
85
certain that
Venus
lias
less condition of
character of
if I
attendant orb.
would have done. From these observations M. Baudouin deduced for the new star a diameter of about
two thousand miles, and a distance from Venus nearly
equal to that which separates the moon from the
In March, 1761, again, Hodkier saw the enigearth.
matical companion
Horrebow saw it a few days
and Montbaron saw it in varying positions on
later
March 15, 28, and 29. Lastly, Scheuten, who wit;
saw a
satellite
56
the sun.
must be conceded
be, the search
There
is
that,
however
it
are considered,
slight the
hope
it
may
occasion to
much
less affected
rior planet
would
own moon,
as a
us most usefully.
is
the least
It is as the
moon
befriends
JSTow,
of lunar
raised in our
wave
is
own
oceans.
And
solar one,
we have
tides
as
tides,
high as the
Yenus has constant tides, therefore, corresponding very closely to the mean tides on our own
solar wave.
earth
to sub-
serve all the purposes winch our tides render us, only
mode
of operation.
$?
may
tides,
Mer-
supposing he
reasonably be ques-
by
his great
Yen us
is
fully
somewhat
is
less
little
thirty-five
Her day
us.
is
about
Venus
of
compensated
earth's.
The
by
sun, as seen
presents to us
he
and his apparent surface-dimensions,
upon her
surface.
Here, however,
we have been
supposing that
38
in character,
of rotation
is
inclined
number
the case, a
of singular and
If this
is
really
somewhat compli-
may be
interesting
very
cially as there is
Uranus an
In the
to
little
bowed
really
zones, larger
by
far
so that
two
her
arctic
and to her
It is difficult to say
whether her
would
ex-
the axis
Yenus
(if
as
tropical
it
espe-
her globe.
An
*
take
Why
is
is it
made
that, in so
many works
habitable.
f If the observations of
Venus, though
less
than
De Vico may be
*75, is still
deduced
89
suffice
upon the
earth.
circlea
short time, in
and
like
hours
lasts
about twelve
and
though he does not show his face, he yet lights up the
southern skies with a cheering twilight glow. But
;
many
familiar on earth.
At
for
our
own
passes
skies.
he is above the horizon nearly throughout the twentythree and a third hours of Venus's day * but he at;
On
the equator
itself,
is
always equal in
am
Celestial
work
in which, so
have been at all considered, it is stated that in the year of Venus there
are but nine and a quarter of her days, " reckoned by the sun's rising
and setting, owing to which the sun must appear to pass through a
whole sign in little more than three-quarters of her natural day." He
does not give any reasons for this remarkable statement, which most
In all places outside the arctic circles of Venus,
certainly is not correct.
the year contains as many natural days as there have been rotations of
Venus, wanting one only (as in the case of our own earth) in the remaining regions there will be more or fewer days, according as the
station considered is nearer to or farther from the arctic circle. Smyth'a
remark that the varying amplitude of the sun (his distance, that is, from
the east and west points), at rising or setting, would give travellers on
Venus readier means than our seamen have, of determining the longitude, is just.
But the problems involved must be very difficult, and I
;
gl
an elevation of a few
de-
bling
is
exceedingly short
mer
and
lastly, at
summer,
in the
In such regions
scarcely too
much
and
no races subsisting
terrestrial races
to say that
by no means
summer
solstice the
more
and
who
are to officer
inclined as
If they
summer even
bitter.
is
fact that
set.
it,
22
OURS.
Venus, astronomers are far from accepting with confidence the assertions of those observers
signed to
Venus an
who have
inclination so remarkable.
as-
If her
is
In
in
the opening
chapter of this work, seems to force upon us the conclusion that she
is
inhabited
while
we may
believe,
though perhaps with less confidence, that a close resemblance subsists between the creatures which people
her surface and those with which we are acquainted.
strength.
Venus
is
much
than Mars
ter,
is.
we have
tion,
and
still
Yet, as
we
is
much
clear evidence
Mars do not
those of our
differ in
own
earth.
93
may be the
is
abode
any which
exist
upon the
earth.
is
so nearly equal
any noteworthy
effects.
The
'
dis-
earth's gravity
her horns.
she
is
make
its
is
so far
it
refractive effects on a
So
that, as this is
siin
as seen
94
the
would be
it.
line
nus
is
On
strongly to
Yenus
as the
we
breathe.
points very
we have
With
suffi-
see nothing
to, since, if
there
to
an opposite conclusion.
is
least of all
one adaptati ve
be
power which
(in fable, if
There
is
Many
g$
who
can
little
force,
since
must
Surely the
we know
that
which the
glories of our
displayed,
moon has
passed through
all
The
Each has
which is
rest.
Certainly
Mercury and
not exhibited to the
Yen us are no exceptions to this rule. The inhabitant
of Mercury sees in Venus an orb which, when favorsystem to which
some
it
So
far,
indeed,
Yenus must be no
contemptible moon to the Mercurials when she is nearly
in opposition.
Our earth, too, with its companion
as light-giving
power
is
concerned,
9&
To
we
enough
to
live
upon
to be
CHAPTEE
IT.
It
is
singular that,
among
all
around the sun, one only, and that almost the least of
the primary planets, should exhibit clearly and unmistakably the signs which
of
life.
We
mark
only other orbs which belong, like the earth and Mars,
to the
little
to guide us to
When we
beyond the
wide gap which separates the minor planets from the
their physical habitudes.
giant
members of the
solar family,
belief that
much
we
pass
shall find
to force
much
upon us the
little to justify
us
in the clearest
we
in space
which ap
98
on
side
we
insist, as
know
that on every
may
appear to savor of
wastefulness.
raised
by
forces
ness,
And
may be
wholly wasted.
ently in vain.
desert,
at
in a
in our short-sighted-
But
there
is
marked
distinction
between such
Mars.
we can
Little as
we
out a necessity (depending upon the order which actually exists) for that
waste.
We
continent
is
to
to resemble
country or a
rain,
be described as a
what
random
to us resembles waste.
fall so
Nature
is
by what may
as to
If,
out of a thousand
99
In
any waste
is,
distri-
I infer, merely,
But
in the case of
Mars
he
is
we
observe, if
we
For
be, indeed,
if
and century
utility.
clouds
not unintelligible
is
but
if
least,
we seem
Nature's forces
is less
earth
Mars.
is
more
His
more
as extensive as that of
iOO
The substance
of
is
even
much
less
than
less
Thus gravity
terrestrial gravity.
at his
It
is,
in
surface of
I have
and
shall
may
this,
remark, in passing,
how
singular
it is
But
that
we
if
we wish
to bring the
more suitably
man
terrestrial
as
when
in aphelion.
When Mars
we
101
two
is at
his
mean
the light and heat he receives are less than ours in the
The length
of his
about
owing
five
summer
But,
and
not equal.
is
His equator
is
and
of the earth
grees,
differ
on
it
will
much
is
about
inclination,
The
Mars
axis of
is
summer
when he is at his
The same relation
holds in the case of the earth, the sun being one million five
ter
to us in win-
* More exactly, the length of the Martial day is 24h. 37m. 22.735s,
This estimate I have obtained by comparing pictures taken by Hooke in
1666, and
sight
of.
with precautions
in 1866-1869
no complete rotation should anywhere be lost
102
summer
But the effects resulting from the
the case of Mars must be very much more
than in winter.
relation in
we
recognize.
is,
we have been
dealing with,
Although the least but one among the primaa mere speck compared with Jupiter and
Saturn Mars has been examined more minutely and
under more favorable circumstances than any object
He does not apin the heavens except the moon.
proach us so closely as Yenus, nor does his disk appear so large as Jupiter's, yet he is seen more favorably than the former planet, and on a larger scale, in
In fact, whereas Yenus is
reality, than the latter.
one of the most unsatisfactory of all telescopic objects,
Mars is one of the most pleasing and, whereas Jupiter is always more than three hundred and eighty
millions of miles from us, Mars sometimes approaches
tures.
ry planets
this distance is
enormous, and
it
1Gj
affords
it
is full
is
not
lost,
the
it
is
confined to
we might imagine
the
to
Toward
We
planet.
rightly understood,
is
fea-
Xo
telescopist has
satellite
It
was
discerned,
ago,
which
lie
104
first to dis-
this.
now well-known
oceans.
took so
as to
many and
render
it
him the
title
of the eagle-eyed,
Sir
made by him-
sufficient,
when
865 Jan.l
1864 Nov
7h
45 m
10 12
I864jNov.20
6 TO
1864 Nov 23
Creenwich
Me an Time
Dawes.)
ll
I2
36n
24r
Four of
his
They
plate.
105
are
so selected,
is
is
is,
commonly used by
map we
which
be-
observers ex-
At
the
lies at
the
top of the
This
inverted
Around that region is a sea unnamed in the map. Then along the southern temperate
zone there lie several tracts of Martial land, named
southern pole of Mars.
These
on
this point,
owing
though there
is
some uncertainty
We now
visible.
map where
all
circle of water,
one
strip
equatorial continents of
S.,
Beginning
at the eastern
we have
a long sea,
which give
to the
* Mr. Browning, F. R. A.
chart,
Next
a nearly complete
is
approach,
series of
my
lo6
called
Dawes Ocean;
into
still
two vast
Jacob Island and Phillips Island, between which runs Arago Strait. Beyond these islands
islands, called
lies
it,
we have only
that in Delarue
which presents
seas.
straits
Ocean there
is
a large island,
it
snow.
It has
now come
to the
Martial geography
areograjphy.
map
This
is
is
Herschel
to say,
continents.
the
these.
Continent.
On
the
Next
is
left
of
Dawes
by a long
This sea
lie at
described.
At
its
northernmost end
it
turns sharply
Dawes
Farther west
lies
A large lake on
Huo;onns Inlet.
107
is
It consists of
shape.
Xext
hemisphere.
and
at another into
Tycho
Then
Sea.
lies
]Next
is
we reach
many may be
have on
this point
we
be held to be continents or islands, and the greenishcolored markings to be oceans, seas, and lakes.
know
that, for a
We
It
may
be asked, therefore,
At
first
to answer.
sight, this
Mars
how we
can
feel
are oceans.
sat-
lo
lies
its
so
ly attended to.
same
no
far, at least, as
The
surface of the
moon
is
always the
moon
is
ex-
certainly different.
is
once adduced.
tures as constant.
Many
We have spoken
They
from the
as changeful as the
But though the same markby Hooke in 1666, by Maraldi in 1720, by Herschel in 1780, by Beer and Madler
in 1830-'37, and by Dawes in 1852-'65, yet it by no
means follows that it is always visible when the part
of Mars to which it belongs is turned toward us. A
veil is sometimes drawn over it for hours or even days
aspect of our April skies.
ing
may have
been* seen
And
this veil
109
own
at-
spot wil]
mosphere permits us to see the planet.
be blurred and indistinct when a neighboring marking
is exhibited with unusual clearness.
Let ns consider an instance of this peculiarity. On
October 3, 1862, Mr. Lockyer was observing Mars
late in the evening.
Ocean, where
it
He
Dawes
was observable.
As
when he gave up
became
light still
continued to
Now, Mr.
Dawes observed Mars on the same night, at a quarterpast twelve.
The drawing which he took at that
veil the outline of a part of
Dawes Ocean.
Dawes Ocean.
The Padre Secchi, of the
the shores of
Collegio
Eomano,
states
observing Mars with the fine refractor in the observatory of that institution.
peculiarity of the
same
sort re
no
mains to be mentioned.
winter and
summer
Mars, as I have
what season
tell
is
has his
the po-
his surface,
we can
upon
said,
we know
Since
seasons.
it
when
is
nearly always
veil as I
have spoken
of above.
I
led
Now, what
is
this veil
terpret this
by means
phenomenon %
analogies,
To answer
is
drawn
Have we any
we may in-
of which
conceive the
spreading
often,
as
meteorologists record,
can we
for hundreds and even thousands of miles
pierce
could
Yenus
suppose that the astronomer on
we cannot
Since
lu
may
Yen us cannot see the
earth when thus cloud-
shadowed.
may
resemble terres-
cloud-banks.
veil to
we
medium
hemisphere which
is
know
that this
is
own
earth
We
that
air is
passing into
it,
and
is
we
see
supposing
it
precisely the
Nor
why
to resemble our
any reason
same manner.
Thus we
recognize, in
112
And
jection to the
make
with
use
of,
many
mode
yet, as it is
minds, and
is
am
next going to
one which has great weigbt
not without its own peculiar
applying
considerable ob-
is
of argument I
am
as a subsidiary
it
discussing.
It is
which characterize
known
terrestrial at-
perature.
skies, far
ter
The
from acting to increase the coldness of wineffect in keeping off the sun's rays,
through their
an
in reality represent
enormous
supply of heat
And
we
them
may be
water assumes
as
JSTow,
evidences of
on Mars,
we
between
it
Hence,
if
can scarcely be
on earth
is
the Martialists.
yet
more necessary
Thus,
we
to the welfare of
nomena
actually observed.
may be
disposed to inquire
113
disk observed
To
this it
may
be replied
from the observed position of the region in quesMartial time of day there must have been
somewhere about noon when Mr. Lockyer began hig
observations, and about one o'clock in the afternoon
that,
tion, the
mode
It is
midday; and
features
is
if
when
no uncommon
up soon aftei
of reckoning)
is
precisely
what hap-
is
more
He
urged
face, as seen
hence
by
in
the Martial
summer
the sur-
us,
its
ruddy
such changes as
this interpretation,
According to
were noticed by
tint.
To
that
U4
own
our
skies are
in
may
difficulties
To begin
is
conducted by
must
be exceptionally clear; and none but the practised
the terrestrial observer.
day for
bad an
Martial
features
effect in
similar
as
phenomena on
earth.
Thus
it
hap-
pens that, although Mars has been telescopically observed for more than two hundred years, the actual
much
it
ef-
account
may
less
all
Of
course, if
we admit
days.
have
indi-
own cumulus
that,
near the
head, the Martialists would see a clearer sky overhead than near the
horizon.
face of
that
is,
we should
in a nearly vertical
direction,
EARTH
115
own
seas,
we
ish parts of
Mars
We
own
But
might be
from fluids
it
upon Mars wholly different from that which prevails upon our own earth.
Ten years ago it would have been very difficult to
disprove such an argument as this, however bizarre it
may seem. But the wonderful powers of the spectroscope have been applied to this question, and there is
no mistaking the results which have been obtained.
We must premise that this is hardly a favorable case
for the application of spectroscopic analysis, which (as
available to the astronomer) deals most effectively
with self-luminous objects. Still, there was a possibility that the light which comes from Mars might have
been so acted upon by vapors in the Martial atmosphere, that its spectrum would be affected "in an apists
preciable manner.
The rainbow-colored
ange part, by groups
was
streak
tion "
solar
is
low down,
so that its
To determine whether
phere."
planet.
was not
was clear that
the Martial atmosphere, and not to
lines referred to
Hence
they belong to
it
ours.
is
the light
which
this fact
Martial atmosphere.
It
must contain
at least those
trum.
Hence
there
must be some
between
But we know
similarity
Hence
there
must be aqueous
of the
from
it.
The water
Beas
and
consist
n7
rivers
doubtful appearances.
exists
on Mars,
it
to pro-
two
and the progress of the Martial seasons. But
many astronomers felt that there was still room to
doubt whether we could really speak of the spots as
spots
"The snowy
Nay,
if
Mars were
we
we
we know
that
falls
in-
n8
teresting.
among
are
the processes by
all
The heat
Thus the
air is
is
used up,
it
coolness
is
raised, is
mains unchanged
to colder regions, it
but, so soon as
is
it
is
in excess,
it
is
vapor distributes
We
it
into vapor.
it
parts with
Thus where
it.
on Mars there
exists the
same
we
find
on our own
But
let us
aqueous vapor.
earth.
by
Now,
the clouds on
Mars
said,
astronomers
sun's heat.
it
for
u9
fallins:
by refreshing
are
fields
and
may grow
But
rainfalls
forests
all sorts
abundantly ?
from place to
Clouds
and
fall
it
Mars were extensive and persistWe see, then, that Mars has winds as our earth
Doubtless his trade-winds are less marked than
pheric currents on
ent.
has.
tion-period
is
being
much
slightly greater.
But he has
being so
much
less
need
less exten-
nent.
own atmosphere
thermal and
circulation of our
The
air is cleansed
electrical conditions
is
rendered
fit-
for
and
are
;
all
purified,
regulated,
and, in
fine,
those pur-
120
it
created.
on our own
Doubtless
much
The
Maury have
served to throw a
Eut whether we
we
differ-
see that, in
Maury has
at least
been as successful
in
A theory more
probable
is,
i2
So that undoubtedly
the Martial oceans, so far as their peculiar conformation will permit, are traversed
directions
Then,
and
by currents
in various
at various depths.
lastly, there
must be
rivers
The
on Mars.
clouds which often hide from our view the larger part
of a Martial continent, indicate a rainfall at least as
considerable (in proportion) as that which
the earth.
its
we have on
way no
As
we may form
The
The
brook
burst
from
mountain
recesses
the
to the rivulet, and
forth the refreshing springs which are to feed the
reaches.
Martial brooklets
Who
things are
meant
to teach us
So
is
that
far, let
all
it
these
be
re-
l2 2
membered, we have been guided onward by no specufancies, but simply by sober reasoning.
But
can we pause just here % Shall we recognize in Mars
all that makes our own world so well fitted to our
wants land and water, mountain and valley, cloud
and sunshine, rain, and ice, and snow, rivers and lakes,
ocean-currents and wind-currents, without believing
lative
which
all
life
without
Surely, if
it is
that
it is
the abode of
life
if
we must,
lutely seen
more rashly
it is
indeed, limit
abso-
many
probable
animated existence.
CHAPTER
JTJPITEE,
V.
the noblest of
bulk
is
to
all
the planets
we come now
fitness to
If
be
inhabited
Exceeding our
this
mag-
Or
if
we
and weight.
if
we contemplate
the enormous
upon
its axis, or trace the stately motion with which he
sweeps onward on his orbit, or measure the influences
by which he sways his noble family of satellites, we are
equally impressed with the feeling that here
we have
124
the prince of all the planets, the orb which, of all others
in the solar
noblest forms of
life.
many hours
of study to the phenomena which the four moons present to the terrestrial observer.
But we can trace only the general movements
of the satellites of Jupiter. Their minor disturbances,
the effects of the varying influences which the sun and
Jupiter exert upon them, and which the moons exert
upon each other, must tax the powers of far abler
mathematicians even than he who " surpassed the
whole human race in mental grasp."
But, after all, we must judge of Jupiter rather according to the evidence we have, and the analogies
which are most directly applicable to the case, than
We
know
that
so that
mere
size
is
and mass
"Nor
must we
men
studied the
JUPITER, GIANT OF
motions of our
own moon,
^5
unperceived
as that, out
who
among
satellites.
habitudes
He
have
said, a
day
His axis
is
is
considerably
nearly perpendicu-
no appreciable
sea-
be convenient to consider,
first,
the proba-
26
power of Jupiter
creatures existing
The grandeur
live
first
both in might
upon the
Old
earth.
way.
by Admiral Smyth.
sailor,
much
height
will
it
encoun-
ters.
is
need to be
is
body
Assuming
are unquestionable,
on the earth
is
to
its
intensity
JUPITER, GIANT
OF TEE SOLAR
SYSTE2I.
l2 y
438."
p.
This exact
determination of the
dimensions of
Jovial
men would be
were
least
it
as conclusively to a
butes except
size,
men
If
we
in all attri-
we might
we
do,
with quite
as
much
reason
ion that
view,
we
we
possess.
Proceeding according to
vis-
this
l2 8
what difference of
man
would
size
suffice to
make
a Jove-
]STow, the
weight
in
for example,
a body twice
as
will
be
sions
so that of
constituted,
He would weigh,
the other. He would
much
as
Similarly, an animal
and
relations.
on
so
would
man removed
to
it
two and a
mum
man on J upiter
men would be as ac-
half.
were
Hence, setting
ordinary height of
men on
to theirs as
one to
maxi-
the earth,
we
see that
our premises
and other little fellows, if removed to Jupiter, might be wondered at for
their enormous height, and eagerly sought after by
any Carlylian Fredericks who may be forming grenaare correct.
Thus,
Tom Thumb
One
line of
the Jovicolse as
JUPITER, GIANT OF
129
we may
two-year-old children,
this
method
of reasoning
is
fairly
fallacious.
conclude that
upon
We must
earth.
we -are
is
we
from those
may
which
life
admit the
where we have in
means of forming an opinion. We need not
imagine, as some have done, that " the inhabitants of
free scope to speculation
to give
truth mo
may have
warmed by
central
his "
fires,
may
home
in subterranean cities
by
float
So soon
as
we
may
flee
away and be
at
other worlds,
9
we touch
at
l3 o
It
is
sufficient to recog-
we
are
We may regard it as
creatures in Jupiter,
on a much smaller
earth.
scale
Trees, plants,
any
if
ally,
must
known
also,
part regulatepl
by the
force of gravity,
is
in
and therefore
it
plants
on
We
(no
by which the Creator rules the universe, and a measure (if one may so
speak) even of that which is inconceivable by us His infinite wisdom.
Now, man, with all his knowledge of the Creator's ways, yet so soon as
he passes the boundary of the known, pictures to himself all manner of
own
whose heads do grow beneath their shoulders," and other similarly incongruous beings. It is more excusable, perhaps, that an anatomically
impossible structure should have been assigned to angels (the cherubim
Lave been even more unfortunate), while the Evil One, that " goeth about
as a roaring lion,"
ruml
JUPITER, GIANT OF
out, if I
remember
destroyed at once
i$\
would be
month
He
is
nearly equal
no
has, however,
is
to his orbit.
this
words mean.
The word
ourselves, because
commonly the
is
we
associate
it
but
is
it
wants
we
heavens with great rapidity, while near the polar regions the sun's
^notion will be comparatively slow,
and he
will
The
direct reverse
132
always continue to do
so,
summer:
rangement."
this
mode
a perennial
in adopting
are
we
not dealing similarly with Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune, which, being farther from the sun, have greater
need than Jupiter of some special adaptation of the
It seems safer to consider the consequences
sort ?
which flow from the arrangement without any special
them,
lest, in
we
mode
should adopt a
have been
ill-cared for.
being nearly constant for all parts of Jupiter, and throughout his year.
Admiral Smyth seems to have thought that the variations of the sun's
path in Jupiter corresponded to those observed in the progress of a year
any place on the earth's equator, the sun always rising vertically
and always describing a complete semicircle, though attaining different
at
The
real fact
is,
that
in
all
parts of
JUPITER, GIANT OF
33
arrangefact,
of
equal length.
spring
or perpetual autumn,
The
if
we
please
reigns on
latitudes
different
In intermediate
greater or
less,
marked
difference
is
lati-
which
is
nearer to or
Owing
is
to be found.
This
must be readily
we
and
is
much
infe-
!34
rior to ours.
The smallness
must help
Jupiter,
to render the
He presents
tible.
equal to
to
The
own
diameter.
Of
One
of these poles
Draco
the other
lies in
rest.
lies close
The
exhibiting
the same
power suggested by
may
seem, at
visible
first sight,
passage * in which
*
Homer
135
and
as at
moon
and
Thus, in
all,
they cover a
so
capacities
less
equal
to
the
combining
this result
if
they could
all
it fol-
be "full" together,
matter of
The motions
though there
we
fact,
they cannot
is
full together.
modern observers.
istic
Horace
be
best
times, as
all
But,
tells us,
Homer
did,
all
soma
136
all visible
be
together,* yet
when
full.
in fact,
may
way, since
so visible,
full at
or,
its
as
a full
estimate of the extent of the mistake which those astronomers have made who speak of the splendor with
which the satellites of Jupiter illuminate his skies.
When at that part of their orbits where they would
otherwise be
full,
moons
are always
distance,f sometimes
fourth,
relation detracts
We
taken
it
how
largely this
who
will be seen
cir-
all
invisible together.
all
the
so that
JUPITER, GIAXT OF
during the Jovial night
"but
The
nocturnal skies.
moon
illunainates our
aginative
respecting the
That the
337
satellites,
in
been created
fine,
Perhaps,
if
is
intended to subserve,
might be argued
it
moons
supply,
by
The
Jupiter
together,
satellites of
and
(iii.)
(i.)
in pairs,
while,
(ii.)
by
their suc-
But
let
to our notice.
rela-
we have now
tc
,38
OURS.
less
The
ated.
fact, as
own
five.
And
it
arrangements
effects of
may
ciency of heat.
that the
one to twenty-
this difference
is
situ-
If
exist to
we can demonstrate
of consequences which
We
know,
we
cannot disregard.
it
is
principally the
We
which might
can con-
by preventing
the escape
the general
is
at
as great as it
that such an
omy
of evaporation and
its
affect the
iffi
whole econ-
clouds, mist,
And
manner other
in like
his
It
atmosphere in preventing
is,
its
even this
is
possible, because
and desolate
as
is
we
know that
In the
sun's heating
ment.
which would
an atmosphere
two inches
in thickness,
that
it
would cut
the
'
4o
planetary radiation.
It
thickening of the layer of vapor to double this absorption ; and it is perfectly evident that, with a protecting envelope of this kind, permitting the heat to
its
when we were
is
Precisely as the
mean tem-
may be no
own
air,
while yet the sun's direct rays continue wholly unbearable, so the outer planets
may have
a perfectly
many important
influences on the
we
am
far
in their nature
was led
nous creatures
the other,
we
(!)
and
gluti-
gument by which an
effort
has been
made
ar-
to indicate
JUPITER, GIANT
And
we
here
suggestive of
all
+1
which lead
In common with the other large planets lying outside the zone of the asteroids, Jupiter has a
mean
mean
density of
we were
by
it
mentioned
extent.
The
42
a certain
symmetry on
torial
a rather
is
marked contrast between the northern and the southern halves of the planet. In color the dark belts are
usually when seen with suitable telescopic power *
tint,
while the
The
is
There
is
picture of Jupiter
many
intended specially to
be dealt with.
atmosphere.
The dark
that
we
so
that
reflectors.
JUPITER, GIANT OF
af Jupiter are those regions
where
if at all
H3
we
see
Now, viewing
So
what
the extent
far as I
know, the
first
we any
is
their aspect
it
is
well
disk
we ought
some
to see
cloud-belts projecting
line of the planet
if
irregularity of level
slightly
beyond the
the
real out-
know, but
it
detected.
We
atmosphere of Jupiter
interfere
is
measurement of the
We have
These
belts.
though surely
may
Now,
44
The reader
some resemblance
will not
notice here
to
ated features I
that there
am now
may be more
at first sight
dealing with,
it
will be seen
might
be disposed to imagine.
is
the
in-
much more
which
no
may be
It
might lead to the diswhich could not fail to indicate physical conclusions of the utmost imDortance.
sort,
JUPITER, GIANT OF
we cannot doubt
in
is
some
sort reflected,
might
4c
it
tell
even though
no direct evidence of their existence might ever reward
the observer. In these days, however, nine-tenths of
his deserts, lakes, or rivers, are situated,
those
who
are fortunate
subjects of inquiry
turn arrives, or
*
It is painful to
till
those
devoted to
the
chef-d'ceuvres of English
and
when
many
first,
acter
so
over,
themselves to going
10
146
So
all
far,
they are
now engaged
upon.
ering
is,
extent,
dusky
disk,
we
are consid-
At one time
the
now
Now
they seem in
regular figure.
et (Fig. 1) as
Jupiter (Browning).
ot the plan
JUPITER, GIANT OF
own
reflectors, indicates
monly
^?
The number
of belts
singularly variable.
more
if
striking evidence
to the
changes which
it
its
is
clear that
any
ISTow,
during the
full
ochreish
had assumed
I4 8
an even darker
occasion,
first
tint,
On one
hibiting strongly-marked
its
it.
above described
unmistakable.*
In the phenomena here described we have a problem whose interpretation is far from easy. Changes in
the shape, disposition, and extent of the dark belts are
sufficiently intelligible
seem
when we
justified in doing,
associate them, as
we
the earth's
atmosphere.
But the
equatorial zone
is
by
doldrums,"
* I had written thus far only, when I attended the meeting of the
Royal Astronomical Society on January 14, 18V0, where Mr. Buckingham,
the owner of the great refractor, 21^ inches in aperture, from whose performance so much was expected, mentioned that, as seen with thia
powerful instrument, the great belt was resolved into a number of small
solored clouds on a white ground.
months in
We
progress
ot
by the
are taught,
Jupiter,
his surface,
we regard
equatorial
belt
Sup-
as
indicative
of
the
existence
of
unknown
But
swept away.
way
even
if
we assumed that in
partially,
had been
We cannot
by Messrs.
is,
to
some
is
inherent
that
extent, self-luminous-
filled
5o
full
and bright
as to reach our
But
sidered
last con-
at-
It
this state-
ment.
is
wholly watery,
It
around
us.
It
the only
is
member of the
planetary
is it
likely that
Mars
is
the only
exists,
sun
itself,
we
Differences
as
but
nj
we have no
evidence
any important
differ-
Thus,
we
Whewell
as
insisted on.
It will
Let
it
mendous
as those
When
to this
as efficiently
our
own
is,
regions
where corresponding
effects
152
OURS.
atmosphere ought
to
be very
much calmer
than
seems to
me
different
its level.
so frequently
globe.
are
to
is
still
still
a glowing
bubbling and
the primeval
fires,
may
otherwise, as
it
seems
vitality, if
one
Jupiter
his
No
is.
No
atmosphere
all
JUPITER, GIANT OF
1$3
"When we
see
dis-
theory
we adopt
be other-
or
consideration of the
to
fit
is
at pres-
disappointed.
If Jupiter be
still
indeed resplendent like the great centre of the planetary scheme, but
still
a source of heat,
is
cles
still
exist
re-
which
may
* Even
if
54
circle nearest to
I have
the sun.
many
can-
astronomers
the small
So
passed surface.
place
ject
and
may
that,
view that the purpose of any obbe regarded as ascertained when we have
superficial
of
life,
and on
this
body,
or, if
he
is,
He
is
not an incandescent
is
veiled
heat of Jupiter
when
is
The outer
not sufficient
We
am now
dealing with be
correct.
That Jupiter
may
JUPITER, GIANT OF
155
is
kim.
When we
once
how
mitting to them.
From
is
we
recognize at
capable of trans-
some
eightfold,
and
(as
innermost he
is
seen
by
From
the
We have
may
it
far
proportion of light.
and
his distance
us.
The
more
light to
much more
and conmoon, or the earth, could possibly reflect to us if placed where Jupiter is. Whereas
Mars reflects but one-fourth of the light he receives,
Jupiter reflects more than three-fifths. The moon sends
less than a fifth
Saturn, Jupiter's brother giant, more
than a half. The late Prof. Gr. Bond, of America, actually calculated that Jupiter sends forth more light
than he receives. Whether his observations or the
light than a planet of equal size
more systematic observations of the German astronomer are accepted, we see that, unless we adopt some
such hypothesis as I have dealt with above, we must
recognize a marked difference between the relative
light-reflecting capacities of the two largest planets of
the system, and those of Mars or the moon. In fact,
from other researches of Dr. Zollner's
if
face
must possess
reflective
Now,
of white paper.
it
by native
follows that,
light, his sur-
this
would scarcely be
credible,
seem forced
to
it
but, as
we
find a
admit that
it
we
by Zollner.
being admitted,
It
may seem,
is
But, as a matter of
fact,
is
oear as dark as
its
The
JUPITER, GIANT OF
Diaekness, then,
In
trast.
is
i$ 7
reality, if
know no
reason for
is
dis-
not black,
and therefore there seems no escape from the conclusion that the surface on which they are projected is
partially self-luminous.
is
that Jupi-
must be remembered,
It
we
we might
when
noble planet,
to pass
and so instructive. Jupiter, the centre of a noble system of worlds, or Jupiter, himself a world, inhabited
by beings as high perhaps in the scale of creation as
he himself is in the scheme of the planets, is alike a
worthy subject of study. The more one dwells on the
features he presents, the more one is impressed with
the sense of the grandeur of his position in the universe.
Surely, whether
must be intended
to be
now
inhabited or poy, he
58
races.
name can
who, be
it
tronomer.
remembered thankfully, was not an asHe who has not gazed hour after hour on
tiny
he who
la-
but
it is
fine,
" he
may
But in
Still
his
motion
it."
CHAPTEE
SATURN
If Jupiter by his
a
forceful
earth
is
VI.
commanding proportions
affords
which he
is
the centre.
glorious planet, as
shown by a
telescope of adequate
he
is
Whether he recognizes
now
as they
were fashioned
at the
is
160
to erroneous con-
sort,
tion.*
Jupiter
Saturn
is
Saturn
sufficiently large
is
piter.
his
hours.
have a
The
mean
much
In
sity of water.
fact,
composed
is
Saturn's substance
mean
ally lighter
we have in
this relation
den-
specific-
is
It
seems
some
in-
The equator
* I
know nothing
of Saturn
exhibits.
is
inclined about
men
28-J-
de-
to choose astronomy
nian system.
view as
my
some
saw the ringed planet for the first time. I look on
introduction to the most fascinating of all the sciences,
seasons
his
161
(so far
as they
depend on
this
circum-
Mars.
et
Saturnian year.
circling
length of the
is
nearly
about
-^-st
of the earth's.
however, there
by a
similar portion
receives
more
proportion of
Most of the
in
relations
among
the other
members of the
is
marked
solar system.
Near the
poles there
is
pole.
The length
11
this peculiarity
62
but there
(so far as
may
these
not be
And
which
live
upon our
globe.
we
These
effects are
may
I
life
made the
subject of
some
discussion, I
apprehend
that,
when
Sir
John Herschel
said
years in duration,
first
to the northern
and then to
ply that during an interval of such length a large portion oi either hemisphere
was
in shadow.
He knew
is
show that no
'
moved
so as to pass
that, in
occulted
by them
and
after
certain
number are
objects
the
is
more
limited."
incorrect,
the truth.
in
less
satellites of
Saturn stand
they travel
common
and
is
So
far is
it
whole planet)
is
more
for the
164
sun to be eclipsed
(if at all)
together unnoticed
by Dr. Lardner,
is,
is
Nor
is
true that
it
be totally eclipsed
whence the rings are visible at all has the sun eclipsed
by the rings throughout the whole day for a longer or
shorter succession of rotations, and, in the remaining
O
7
is
altogether
is
remark
As
for the
more than
is
totally
while
Madrid he
is
This
suffices to
my
treatise on Saturn.
The problem is not
and the only way in which the erroneous
by Dr. Lardner can be explained is, by considering that
I
the problem in a general instead of an exact manner.
any doubt as to the accuracy of my results, but I was
pleased to receive a letter from Mr. Freeman, a Fellow
are given in
a difficult one,
by any means
views formed
he dealt with
could not
feel
St.
John's
if
we
we
65
shall see
all,
is
received
been imagined.
insist
obvious
difficulties.
stance, really
reflect to
him.
And
light derived
planet, that
is,
is
most
166
band upon
They undoubtedly
spectacle, especially
are nearly
that,
full.
back to
primary would be wholly inadequate to com-
-f, -J,
y^-, $.
In
all,
and
as,
owing
then,
moon
by only j^oth of the light which illuminates our moon, they could only send back to the
planet, if it were possible for them to be all full
are illumined
we
receive from
It will
could be
all full
We
same propor-
human
167
posed.
to consider peculiarities
which
suggest that Saturn's globe has not jet reached a condition fitting it to be the abode of living creatures,
These peculiarities resemble in great part those which
phenomenon belongs
to
The
belts of
companying
and
see the
ac-
plate.
are of a faint
yellowish
all
The
poles are
brightest of
commonly dusky
The
belts
change
in aspect
to
do
much
as those of Jupiter
The
planet.
much
light sent to us
case
of
this distant
from Saturn
also bears
actually received
the
upon
is
so
observed iu
nearly ap-
same inference
i68
of Saturn's light
t:'on
is
planet.
we seem
which points
to recognize evidence
(if
circle
creatures.
Without
facts in the
whole range
condition
Saturn
of
new
and
If
it
is
subject to
it
will at once
Now,
be seen that
it is
figure.
was
William Herschel
to
him an
The
planet,
elliptical figure,
A well-marked
169
accompanied by an equally
nian latitude 43 20' so exactly was the great astronomer able to indicate the nature of the deformity,
owing to its well-marked character.
nomenon
clue to
atmospheric disturbances
Such
dis-
Was
then
shouldered aspect
ticular extent
aspect by the
ringed planet.
when
and
slightly
open
illusion,
Besides,
when looking
we
at a
mendous
?
that
is
we can by any
is
their ordinary
one to be avoided,
if
)7
but the reader might entertain the explanation as conceivable that Herschel might for a while have lost the
that
But we have abundant evidence that the great astronomer was in the full possession of all his wonderful
powers as an observer during the month of April,
1805 we know further that by careful measurements
;
he rigidly excluded
his judgment.
It
all possibility
would be more
reader, however, to
of illusion affecting
changes of figure.
Fortunately,
many
such obser-
series of
papers on Sat-
On August
5,
1803,
for a
He
i?l
On
another occasion,
Mr. Airy noticed the exact reverse, the planet seeming flattened instead of upheaved, in latitude 45.
In
S.,
cember 6th he
it
says,
while on De;
" I cannot persuade myself that
is
maximum
any
illusion should
to that observed
acter
when
closed.
for
860-'61,
appeared
to
The eminent
Merzre
frac-
flat-
summer
toward
of 1848,
us.
On
when
when
most
left
of the pole,
172
the pole.
Now,
there can
planet Saturn
is
In 1832,
toward
us)
came
to the conclusion
it,
exhibit
any
when
distortion
We
is
to accept
subject to the
adopt,
we cannot
tense heat
must
fail to
mean
Whichever view we
In
fact,
unlike the sun, whose real substance emits a less intense light than the cloud-photosphere surrounding him.
solid or liquid
73
shining
with an
Why
when we remember
readily explica-
is
re-
by the
solar action.
No
such co-
in
tion,
travels.
It is
worthy of men-
he could detect partial flattenings of the disk of Jupiter (see also Preface).
of
asteroids
are
not
themselves
light,
ing to the
Undoubtedly,
if
we
such questions,
if
we
so often
applied to
174
moon
primaries,
we
eration that a
much
by the
consid-
much more
completely.
it
seems
In
diffi-
tended to
fulfil
On
am disposed to demur
man to assign a reason for all things which science may reveal to him.
For reasons which seem to me far more convincing,
I am led, however, to believe that the two most imgreat force.
the contrary, I
portant
members
given to
175
The condition of
CHAPTEE
TTKANUS
VII.
circumstance which
is
of great importance in
be lost sight
of,
which, in nearly
owing
all
to the unsatisfactory
is
apt to
manner
in
To
We know
Uranus
J
;
it is
extremely
difficult to
177
form any
we have
lately
been consid-
74, the
earth.
of the
Uranus
mean
is
is
but -j^ths,
Neptune -j^-tlis,
Thus each
The mass
though these
sive
two
It will
many
The
we
Uranus
is less
-j^o-th
solar light
78
So
far
planets
we have found
sider a relation
similar.
shared in by Neptune.
know
so little
somewhat
to conis
not
may
be remarked that we
about either planet that any very care-
ful consideration
It
The evidence
a waste of labor.
am
about to adduce,
and, as
we cannot
we
are
reason-
Neptune to be inhabited by such creawhile Uranus is not, we may very fairly regard
ably suppose
tures
the question
thong)
We
as
know
is
peculiar to Uranus.
Saturn, the position of the plane near which the satellites travel is
primary's equator.
nearly at right angles to the plane in which the planIt may be mentioned also, though not imet travels.
portant for
my
retrograde direction.
We
of
skies
from west to
The
latter relation is of
7g
east, in-
no
sults
The
to the
it
serious.
We have
result of so
effects are
more
wide a range of
and
how importantly
the
must
in
at noon, in
But
in a similar
Uranian
dav
would in summer
degrees only from the pole (raised of course 51J deAnd obviouslv,
crees above the northern horizon.
180
would
last for
many
So
years.*
far there is
nothing
render
life
in
the
summer path
sun
is
65
J-
is
raised above
degrees, at nominal
it.
At midnight
noon he
And
as
is
the
37^ degrees
comes
in a latitude
to
an end.
years,
Uranians
nian sun.
in
m winter
181
situ-
visible
somewhat
than a
fiftieth
when
in opposition.
When we
Uranus
In
all
ill
we
still
find
forty.
is
In latitudes nearer
latitude
or so.
we must
we reach a
shorter, but
is
a perennial suc-
cession of days
full
But we
zone in Uranus.
excursions
changes which
From
we should
to a sun
which
rises vertically
is
a change which
be
but,
visible,
he can hardly
At his elongations he is twice as far from the Uranifrom us when in opposition, and further he presents but a
a fine object.
ans as he
is
half disk.
that
82
OURS.
At
is
desirable in
celestial
at the
equator.
Here for many years together the sun passes day after
day to a point nearly overhead. But then comes the
long winter, in the heart of which the sun rises barely
fourteen degrees above the northern or southern horizon.
By
Uranian winters in
we render
summers unendurable
we
frosts,
contrasting so distressingly
Uranus be inhabited
must be by
manner from
To such crea-
at all, then, it
are certain
may
be devoted
183
per-
year.
Uranus a
dis-
would be
Other
and perform some
may
thus be enabled to
the
actual
tem.
The
ISleptunians
favorably circumstanced.
One
astronomers.
of the year of
when he was,
184
In Neptune
life
in
One cannot
mark the
such circumstances.
In
fact,
familiar with.
is
Neptune when
known
it
to see
Uranus, or
Perhaps, though
the point,
185
we have very
will be thought
little
evidence on
more reasonable
to sup-
re-
these
selves
Their
satellites
cannot
possibly
On
supply of heat
(at
any
may
it is
not
afford an
rate) to their
difficult to
important
dependent
orbs.
still
gigantic
brethren.
thus,
lS6
incandescence
as
he
is,
but
still
to his in a variety of
ordered
that
is
circle
than the
in fine, not, as he
whence
all
is
sup-
combinations, in such
worlds which
not heated
far greater
supplying an
sort
all
CHAPTEE
VIII.
Although
moon can be
many
are
life,
work on other
first
in the
re-
there
us.
In
cir-
life
we
asteroids.
it
may
be remarked that
no
life
we
exists
upon her
sur-
we have
bly exist
that
it
moon
to
dogmatize
in this respect.
88
resemble those
In the
first
atmosphere.
we
place, the
We
moon
has no appreciable
ly,
know this would not be the case had the moon an atmosphere of appreciable extent.
But if any doubt
could have remained, the evidence of the spectroscope
in Mr. Huggins's hands would have sufficed to remove
it.
He
much
The
inclina-
tion of the
travels
clination
189
can
there
is
no
be
appreciable
in-
seasonal
changes.
what is
The lunar day
life.
Were
equally long.
this
all,
is
suit-
lasts
of course,
is,
But
far
more
serious consequences
must
result
is
radiated rapidly
away
into
The mere
is
always invisible
known passage
bility.
(!)
do on the earth.
analogy, that
it
fall
way.
The evidence
is,
how-
9o
to
is
one which
condition of the
moon
is
into
forced
(as at
moon
travels
tiful
moon
in those long-past
her deserts.
is
invisible
from a large
Adams
moon's motion,
under the influence of the
show
that,
In fact,
that the moon's rotation has been brought to its present rate.
independently of the evidence afforded by the earth's gradual loss ui
rotation, we cannot account for the moon's peculiarity of rotation with
out regarding
it
perfectly
its
surface to us.
moon whence
can be seen.
191
she
no tides in them.
Were
to compensate, in
some
sort,
that
at some far-distant
Taking for our guid-
we
When we
we
activities,
have been
so busily at
presents of past
it
how
If
Na-
no form of force which is not the representative of some other preacting form of force, she also
teaches us that no form of force ever works without
there
is
city
own
its
The meteor which sweeps with planetary velothrough space may be brought to rest upon the
wasted
the sun
derives
up
may expend
idly;*
all
may be asked, What becomes of the immense supand heat continually poured by the sun and other stars
We cannot tell yet we know certainly that they cannot
* The question
plies of light
into space ?
be wasted.
that, small
as
the amount
we
receive
may
be,
ac
we know
gives an
we must multiply
thai
92
we
feel
we
tween the era when she was thus disturbed, and the
present time, when she seems absolutely quiescent,
there must have been a period when her energies were
Nature's workings
the support of
life.
by all the
But we know that a large por-
its
fail
to fall on
(for, if
from the sun in every direction encountered orbs, the sky ought to
be lighted up at all times with star-splendor which is no other than
sun-splendor).
In either case we cannot tell what becomes of the portion seemingly wasted, though in the latter case we may affirm confidently that there is simply a change in the nature of the force. In both
lines
cases
we know
There
is,
ferent in character
Independently,
seas.
subject of
life
also,
^3
are led,
by the reve-
system are in
and, if this be
upon the
so,
What
moon.
been an-
and air
moon's
have been withdrawn
substance.
Others have imagined that the air and
oceans may have passed away to the farther hemisphere of the moon. According to a third theory, a
comet has carried off the lunar oceans and atmosphere.
And, lastly, a fourth theory has been maintained, according to which the lunar air, and a fortiori the
lunar seas, have been changed by intensity of cold into
swered.
nation.
Independently of
this,
will
will
(in a
plane
13
94
posed by
all
that
respect-
The theory that an atmosphere formerly surroundmoon has passed with the lunar oceans into
ing the
low
moon
(little
The relatively
more than half
enough
oceans
that
suffice to ren-
took place.
understand
Certainly
how
it
It
is
ine
when by
and
little
being vaporized.
From
thus understand
that,
up
why
to the last
moment,
moon
indicates
We can
thus see
how
it
has come to
The theory
librations,
fcarth, will at
*95
own
moon
In
some
respects,
the aspect of
the
(especially the
Nor need
is
sufficient
we have no means of
would act where there is no
atmosphere to prevent its immediate and entire reflection into space.
"We know that, despite the intense
heat which is poured upon the summits of the Himalayas, the snow there though a portion may melt
during the day remains year after year and age after
age undiminished and on the summit of the Himalayas the atmosphere is dense and heavy compared with
that which exists even in the lowest abysms of the lunar
ravines.
If absolute reliance be placed on the results
which have been deduced from the application of the
great Parsonstown mirror to the measurement of the
lunar heat, it would seem as though we must abandon
the belief in the existence of frozen oxygen or nitrogen
on the moon's surface, since, according to those rereason for rejecting
judging
how
it,
because
that heat
sults,
is
radiant
by the
solar rays.
At
made
at
96
made
reflects
On
to distinguish
its favor,
it.
or rather the
marked circumstances
In the
first place,
own moon.
we have no
satisfactory evidence
It is true that
But we have
armed with
telescopes of the
modern
observers,
is
quite in-
Bond has
it
It
97
its
primary, no
The following passage from Webb's " CeObjects " points strongly also to the conclusion
ing transit.
lestial
must be inde-
may be caused by
upon their surface, he proceeds
" A stranger source of anomaly has been perceived
the disks themselves do not always appear of the same
the variable light of the satellites
the existence of spots
size or form.
fact in 1707,
latter,
Miidler, Lassell
Roman
and
observers,
same way."
and
varying position
change in
we
is
is
worthy of
98
OURS.
moon)
of our
result in
two inner
satellites
satellites
half hours.
So
far as
we
But very
we have
results,
little
reliance
is
that
cumstance that
very
it is
these perturbations.
difficult
"When
to this
indeed to estimate
we add
the
cir-
on meas-
urements of the minute disks presented by the satelwill be seen that our estimate of the specific
gravities of these bodies cannot by any means be
lites, it
regarded as trustworthy.
As
magnificent scene.
satellites,
To
lg9
The
would cover a space on the
heavens exceeding more than fourteen hundred times
To the second satellite,
that which our moon covers.
eighteenth part of the horizon's circumference.
To
And,
lastly,
about 4^ degrees
that
our moon.
So
that, if
correct, the
part for
moon, exhibiting phases such as those preon a far vaster scale. But, besides
his phases, he must exhibit to the inhabitants of his
satellites the most marvellous picture that can be conceived.
His belts' changes of figure and color, only
rendered visible to our astronomers by powerful telescopic aid, must be distinctly visible to creatures on
his satellites, and cannot but afford reasoning beings
on those orbs a most astounding theme for study and
like a vast
sented
by
ours, but
admiration.
To the
which
circle
zoo
Between these
ries as
we
sixth
satellite
apparent
is
his
surface
times, while
large as
disk,
But,
From
the inner
satellite,
is
seen on the
Saturn "
full
light
201
is
corre-
bis disk,
innermost
as seen
satellite.
from
The
cer-
display
away.
satellite
much more
moon
from
is in-
clined
Of the
be said, because so
little
is
known
either respecting
mark
may
re-
brought forward to
doubt that Uranus has
little
Sir
W.
but one cannot read the account of his method of procedure without feeling that no amount of mere ne:ative evidence can
tive information
Indeed,
far
he has
left
when we remember
from us
Uranus is twice as
has only been in recent
that
as Saturn, while it
been discovered, we cannot but conmany more Uranian satelwill one day be discovered.
Neptune also, no
in position) has
him.
CHAPTEE
meteo.es
and comets
IX.
SYSTEM.
The^e
are few
more
economy of the
Regarded
solar system.
(though
ion), it
many
se-
light.
of those researches
is
not only
of interest, but
full
its
is
details.
not the
I
must
calculations
by which those
we cannot suppose
though
this
is
It will
these small
be found, how-
203
face unbroken,
like
the
or
explode into
fire balls
aerolites
consumed in traversing the upper regions of the air, as happens with shooting or falling stars. All these objects, we now know,
served to do
or are apparently
The
tricity.
numerous
(or
must be very
many
ages
number
compared with
as
fire-balls,
and
still
It has
more
so
been calcu-
earth, in passing
her
own
thirteen thousand of
ies,
them
by
ognizable
counter as
tions,
many
as forty
we may
would only be
is
rec-
supposed to en-
space.
air
stress
on these calcula-
mere
minute
fact that,
slice (so to
though
at
20 4
OURS.
slice
may be
the average
It will
on
Now
we know
that
own
though each
attrac-
the former
from
spaces, or
fact that,
be individually insignificant,
Regarding meteors
as planetary bodies,
ent bodies.
composed of
number
this
number
of these bodies
for it
What
dis-
table, that
orbits of
enormous
eccentricity.
205
velocity with
would be
made
requisite,
earth's
atmosphere
But an
exact.
in 1862,
Now,
a period of one
plies,
mean
And
since
the orbit
is
as the orbit of
Neptune.
206
So
far,
then, as
many
known
we
most part
We
eccentric.
know,
we
see that
in direc-
tions
with the
to near coincidence
ecliptic.
Now,
these
full
of meaning.
mean
mean
dis-
and
if
Again,
if
fail to
mean
encounter
But under
the
earth's
mean distances of
way associated with
the
the
and the inclination of these ornot being in any way limited the
distance,
1.
What
is
the
207
Now,
we
random
to a meteor-system,
through the
members
two
sun.
(a relation
trials),
points,
And,
which would
it is
to encounter
requisite that
But
earth's orbit.
whatever
these points
that one of
requisite position
members
of a meteoric system
indefinitely small
is
is
indefinitely great,
encounters.
But she
longing to no
number
total
less
than
fifty-six
number
fifty-six, or, in
other words,
it
must
all,
systems, and
how
densely
we may
suppose meteoric
and, secondly,
may
what
we
which may
2 o8
or,
portantly the
which must
economy of
Now, we have
most im-
affect
November meteors,
wax and wane in splendor, there
the annual
displays
is
no abso-
And
taking
full
mous
we
meteor-system
that
is, its
its
information, because
As
to the
width of a
orbit
we have no
a meteor-system
satisfactory
may
extend
we may
by observers on the
earth.
lies in ex-
plane in which
it lies.
Now,
its
square to the
we
209
stances.
way, just
system
as
by the earth
thousand miles in the part traversed in 1867, and considerably greater (though the zone
tem
in
Now,
are strewn in
as well as the
This, however,
an erroneous mode of dealing with the problem.
We
number
of encounters.*
14
number contained
210
the
number
We may
ber meteor-system.
assume
fairly
Novem-
that, tak-
or,
minute
as she
distance
"gem
may
its
width than
its
Now,
of the ring."
is
be
its
the
at least 1,000,000,000
fairly
assumed
as aver-
less
much more
largely to affect
its
thickness.
we
cannot contain
amount of
less
by these
bodies,
and a
cal-
etrate
that they must, for the most part, be very small, rarely,
We shall
we
assign one-
for the
in
meteors
this
it,
but
The
211
thousand
tons.
November meteor-system
amount
is
who
esti-
mated rather by pounds than by tons. We have certainly no reason for thinking that the November system, though one of the most important encountered by
the earth,
tem.
On
is
the contrary,
we have
members
of the
November
to the
which has
been detected between comets and meteor-systems. Bizarre as the relation appears, it has been established on
I have already referred to the relation
evidence which cannot reasonably be disputed. It carries with it results of extreme interest and importance.
any considera
questions which are
enormously
difficult
That
212
and promising
line
of
phenomena
for,
al-
But
for
my present
which
may be formed
is
altogether incon-
associated together.
sion
213
we
that
November stream
is
insignificant as Tempel's,
comets which
nificent
source at once of
omer
we
culably
to the astronincal-
has so often
filled
Now, combining
all
falling; stars.
we seem
these results,
fairly
If,
indeed,
we
them simply
we might form
own
another opinion.
be dissipated into
and we cannot
members
satellites
falling,
all
upon
the primary
asteroids
and
These
all
it is
consequences
214
Now,
if
meteoric masses
must
fall
numbers inconceiv-
fall
in
and
it is
becomes apparent.
Let us clearly recognize, however, why and how
the sun must be assaulted by a Continual inrush of
meteoric bodies. "We have seen how enormous must
be the number of these bodies
we know how
swiftly
ions of miles.
for
he
is
But
it is
infinitely
number
An
indefinitely
and
collisions
215
all.
Among
in
In
Prof.
port from
it,
is
But I am
no flaw in the evidence I
have adduced from the laws of probability and that
we are bound to accept, as a legitimate conclusion
from that evidence, the theory that at least an importo account for the solar light
and heat.
is
is
216
around him.
it
sys-
as the sun,
sun a
They may be
domain.
title to
all
the forms
It,
forces derived
or in the
we may
and
around him.
But we must not forget one most important consideration, which makes the sun (as might be anticipated) again the chief source of
existing within his system.
teoric
all
The motions
of the me-
sun's
force
in reality derived.
2i y
Nor would
it suffice
if
upon the
such materials,
We
tiveness.
element of
owe
scale,
system.
to
dependent worlds.*
In it he points to the
onward through space,
passes through regions in which cometic and meteoric materials are now
richly, now sparsely strewn, and gathers in accordingly new stores of
force of greater or less amount.
The bearing of the views of this acute
butions to the history of the
evidence
we have
solar
system.
<>d
2i8
it
we
should regard
may be
Now,
supposed to
to such a conclusion
me-
Have we
circle.
?
upon a
its
course
must in
For example, astronomers sometimes
assert that meteoric masses passing near the earth might become
many
It is
satellites
the
maximum
velocity
is,
which a body
is
travelling
body
circling
toward the sun cannot by any possibility become satellites of the earth,
because they would always have a velocity greater than that which her
Even in the rare event of their grazing her
attraction can master.
atmosphere, and so losing a large share of their velocity, they could not
of
so
that the
own
forced to
21 g
thus
relatively few.
When
comets
and
aphelion close
giant
is
so
revolving in an
orbit
having
its
to
it.
In
this case
its
new
orbit,
by the
piter.
orbit of Ju,
Now, we know
must be
orbit.
220
(if
whose perihelia
less
lie at all
conceivable distances
The comet
pointed out
when
this
comet
fell
so also
have
Uranian
distant planet.
And
here I
may
refer to a
it
may
its
primal condition to
to processes
its
present state,
resembling those
* Since the present chapter was written, I find that the hypothesis
put forward has in a general way been touched on by more than
ftere
one astronomer and physicist. I believe, however, that here, for the
first time, it has been associated with the chief features of the solar
It was suggested in note b (Appendix) to my treatise on Satrystem.
But, as a matter of fact, when that note was written, as also when
those passages were published in which the same hypothesis is touched
by other authors, the decisive evidences in favor of the theory were
urn.
wanting.
22 \
travelling also in
all
and
inclination,
making
marked tendency to
up of each individual planet.
aggregate around one definite plane, and to move in
directions which, referred to that plane, corresponded
would
The
would necessarily be to
of exaggerated eccentricity, and to
eliminate orbits
circular resulting
mean plane
of the
result-
sys-
tem.*
It
seems to
me
view
may be
thus illustrated
hundred black
balls,
If
we have
It
in a
at
more nearly
balls included
in
it
approach to a
ratio of
222
of the
mode
is
now
its
pres-
actually
it
more
satisfactory
manner
tem.
might indeed go
further,
and say
that,
where
these peculiarities seem to oppose themselves to Laplace's theory, they give support to that
which I have
put forward.
For example, what is there in the nebular hypothewhich affords even a general explanation of the
sis
tem
How
remarkable
the
among
variations
of
inclination
observed
Nor, again,
is
satellites
of Uranus
tems which
we must now
Now,
all
for-
these matters
is
at
fact,
now
have considered,
They would, in
actually observed in
sys-
223
In
we should
and we do ac-
Yenus
is
the
larger,
would be
These
as they
swept
round the central aggregation, continually gathering
centres
fresh recruits.
still
gather in no in-
"Where the
224
Assuming that the region of maximum aggregawas that where the influence of the ruling centre
became
so far diminished with distance as to renfirst
tion
we
we
most bulky
by the
sun's
still
The
assumption
is,
in
itself, at least
it,
we
initial
though
we
all
the asteroids.
es-
Beyond
still
attendant system,
we
is
him
accounted for
yet farther
away
an abundance of material,
and that material somewhat more uniformly strewn,
look for and find
still
is
indicated
by the
ex-
And
members
of
by
we find some
;
member
Thus the
member
this theory.
225
no
less
mean plane
of the system.
the larger
The
they
may be
are undetermined
Of
of
little
considerable inclination
grees)
(more
de-
vations hitherto
ecliptic.
And
lastly, if
made on Neptune's
the obser-
satellites
are to
manner with
The
may
mem-
be said to
many
more
of
satis-
i2 6
tactorily
sis.
In
by
this theory
fact,
there
is
doubtless brings
Their minuteness
influ-
tic, since his path lies quite close to the ecliptic, and
even nearer to the mean plane of the solar system.
But bodies formed as the asteroids are supposed to be,
much
it
Prof. Kirk-
wood's researches into the various relations of commensurability presented among the periods of planets and
satellites,
effects of
commensurability
bations,
will
leader the
manner
at
way
in
have imagined, might be expected to exhibit the presence of law as regards distances and periods.
I know of nothing in the nebular hypothesis
as I
as
as are
227
scheme.
The hypothesis
if it
ets
my
at the
same
era.
According to
is
theory of Laplace.
all
we now have
every
When
know
that Jupiter
is
it
all
i 28
know
we have
them
in the
But, after
all,
means of which
There
may
be
little,
indeed, in the
little in
the present
all
speeding with inconceivable velocities on their interlacing orbits, which I imagine to have been the era-
planets are
falls
hypothesis,
by which,
is
cess of development,
229
fiats
of the Almighty.
In this
ward
last respect,
will doubtless
seem objectionable
to those
for-
who
God.
those
who
may be
re-
ment
as to be unlikely ever to
Otherwise,
it
might
we
abandon
their objection.
we
God
find
that
is,
universe
and
further, that
er idea of that
far
it
He
so acts
believing that
directly
in
any
case,
as so perfect that
we
upon the
be
God
will
all
the
phenomena of the
universe.
CHAPTER
X.
OTJES.
us.
Tremendous
stars.
human mind
come
to
is
From beyond
utterly unable to
by these
forth,
and
it is
light-rays that
from
we
are
to
we
proceed, if
imaginings.
difficulties,
to
leave
it,
that
we
around
us.
And
251
to explore.
are found,
when
and
so interesting,
We have,
in fact, to consider
of a system
the
is
our
sci-
theme.
ence has gathered together for us, endeavoring at each
step to gain the full
by our
evidence.
In the
first
what may be
The
the discoveries on which
study
we
is
made
so recently,
fresh-
as,
his
amid the
solar system a
scheme very
sidereal depths
different
by which
he saw in the
indeed from that
illustrious,
232
which
is
He
beheld
by a limited number
schemes of greater or
we have
considered
known
members
of
all
With
exists
us
it is
We
very different.
which
is
faintly
and aggregation,
by our
sun.
Perhaps
it is
in
itself,
we
regard
it
as supply-
we
we
we
new and
scheme in
ions on millions
233
and
less certainly,
but
still
mill-
not
in-
distinctly,
of
hitherto
What
we
at
how
modern
as-
If,
discrete orbs,
another in
size,
somewhat
must adopt a
scheme also.
ently,
is
far different
is
who know
cer-
constituted so differ-
here
so far as our
respect
we have
men
are
to choose
34
all,
his
mere suggestion)
that
we must abandon
If,
on the contrary,
se in magnitude
and splendor.
There can be no doubt which course is preferable.
We know certainly that Sir William Herschel was
often mistaken, as all men must be, in matters of fact
while
we know with
is
We
and
the greatest astronomer of modern
admiration for
as,
from what he
imagined.
We must be prepared to
If
to find
much from
We may
look for
from Saturn
or
So
that, if
we
235
a whole
system
we may accept
that
probability of
Again,
we may
to
which
much from
Saturn
atively
minute
clusters,
si-
discrete stars or
differ
points.
it
from the
So
that,
either
most powerful
telescopes,
from
all
far-
So
that, if
we
it
23 6
OCTRS.
different
from those of
to,
all
other
we need by no
For the
may
we have re-
is
at once the
stars
most
structed.
And
yet this
first
when we regard
into insignificance
237
thoughtfully the
There
might be a real shifting of apparent position which
yet the unaided eye would fail to detect, and such a
change would indicate distances so enormous that the
mind
fails
by
so
much
as the ten
thousandth part
when we remember
tion that
And
same propor-
observation
stars'
how astounding
that
it
is
all
lutely unaffected
even
strumental examination
by
We
stars
affected,
and thence
on the hy-
we
object
is
is
idea of
is
the scale
constructed, than to
more exact
my present
way
details
which find
on astronomy.
238
The
star
it
as likely to
an apparent change of place corresponding to the earth's real change of place as she
afford evidence of
Of
orbit.
but there
is
another
motions of the
stars, as
understood.
we
ments,
we must
motion
as
ity.
star's
Precisely as a
man walking
at a great distance
who
walking at the same rate close by, so the apparent rate of a star's motion is diminished in proporWhen, therefore,
tion to the star's distance from us.
is
239
it
to us.
rewarded by the detection of a very appreciable displacement. In fact, owing to the motion of the earth,
each year, in a nearly circular orbit one hundred and
eighty million miles in diameter, the star
tauri appears to trace out each year a
on the
Alpha Cen-
-^-g-g-th
apparent diameter.*
It follows
from
this that, in
distance of
millions
Now let
sign to
us consider what dimensions we may asAlpha Centauri, on the assumption that the
24-0
sixteenth as
much light
of Alpha Centauri
is
as the primary.*
distance
sun.
The
Now,
brilliancy.
1
62, 900> 000>000
esti-
16i9SOi
and therefore,
rion of
size,
the star
may
own
sun.
primary must
light
as
star, as
much
by
still
be regarded as considerably
In
fact,
one-sixteenth,
we
much
We have here,
then, clear
orbs which
to
may be
among
and
decisive evidence in
it
is
usually considered.
reflector,
I cannot
may more
be trusted.
is founded on Sir John Herschel's comparison between the light of the star and that of the full moon, and Zollner'a
comparison between the light of the full moon and that of the sun.
f This estimate
241
they
may
comparable in brilliancy
must
far surpass
so that
Sirius,
which
is
least
and Canopus,
Sirius
Alpha Centauri.
as bright, exhibits
sun.
The
latter,
no appreround the
tion
star's.
As
in reality
amount of
Alpha Centauri no
and that of our own sun no
that of
So
ninety-two times.
that,
light
it
it
is
four times as
less
less
judged from
mav
this indication
be held to exceed
which assigns
to Sirius a diameter of
method
tion to this
must
fall
far
many
we
star,
find
sixth-magnitude double
16
still
of estimating magnitude,
The
42
to
be nearer to us than
OURS,
Sirius,
is
Alpha Centauri.
We may roughly
So
that,
al-
sun, the
equal to about
equal to about
-J-Jths
of the
sun's,
The sum
-^-ths.
and a volume
sum
But here
at once
we have
We have
among
is
is
twenty-
six
one-fifth of
So
that,
by considering
we have found
2+3
We
solar system.
so
indicate
is
concerned
limits within
may
So that we
any thing
stars differ in
magnitude.
than Sir
far greater
"W".
is
very
But
it
is
we
amount of
fortunately
practicable
stars,
from the
It is desirable
to obtain
and
information as
may
Mere
however glorious, or
however wide the sphere within whicb they displayed
their splendors, would not be fit to sway the motions
of orbs resembling those which circle around our sun.
Nor would such lights serve to indicate to the astronomer that, out yonder, myriads of millions of miles
beyond the extreme limits of the solar system, there
exist materials suited to form the substance of worlda
resembling our own.
stances
It
exist.
lights,
44
we have on
this point.
The
star 61
Cygni
as a
double
star.
smaller
star
er
But many
stars
may be
to
is
shared in by both.
sun.
in
Hence it follows that the components of 61 Cygni are attracted together less forcibly than Neptune is attracted
OURS.
245
less
It is easy
compute the actual proportion, and we find accordingly that the two components of 61 Cygni, taken together, weigh about one-third as much as our sun.*
to
The
star
and, though
Alpha Centauri
it
is
also a
binary system,
there
Cygni,
From
made
a careful comparison
in recent times on
of
all
the observations
fif-
less
it
follows
mass of the two components of Alpha Cenmust be less than that of the sun. This result
the data be considered trustworthy) would indicate
that the
tauri
(if
a considerable difference
star
*
may
easily
be shown
around
the
former pair, taken together, hare a weight which bears to the weight of
the latter pair the ratio of
to
T2
246
much more
many
How
we
we have
Still,
in
We
planets.
we
must be a general similarthe conditions under which these bodies and our
light.
And
though
thus
we
as yet
unweighed
as mas-
around them, but regulating by their attracinfluences the orbital motions of their dependent
travelling
tive
worlds.
But we owe
much
fainter,
and that
at
So soon
effected
ford the
stars.
it
was seen
It
2 47
known
belonging to
But,
stellar spectra
belongino;
to various elements
CD
CJ
and laborious
And
eyes.
task,
lines
delicate
come.
But, undeterred by these
cists
by
difficulties,
results so interesting
covery
may
dis-
era in the history of sidereal research since the completion of the star-gaugings of the elder Herschel.
Two
of Orion,
star of
Taurus,
48
OURS.
were examined with special care. Mr. Huggins remarks that the spectra of these stars are as rich in
The places of no
lines as the solar spectrum itself.
less
lines
of Aldebaran.
With
remarks that
it
is
Huggins
may be remarked
for
as to the
its
is
the sun.
Nor should we be
which surround
known
we have no
it.
For, clearly,
we
find, as
we
Of
Now, when
Prof. Miller
OURS.
249
stars.
exist in the
We know
it is
there can be
forded
by the spectroscope
element in sun or
star,
as to the existence of
af-
any
lines is not to
be certainly
relied upon.
magnesium,
5c
lines
exceedingly
difficult.
physicists
numerous
lines
lines
and, in a great
belonging to
known
number
terrestrial
of the spectra,
tected.
And now
let
In the
first
place,
we
mere
Doubtless Dr.
lights.
Whe-
had some
day
it
And
re-
as in
evi-
as to the existence
those
which
as the sun,
deed in every
case,
way
and
that,
perhaps there
There
may
is
not
in-
not be in any
sun, or
among
the
members
evident,
2 $\
when we compare
is
ce-
undoubtedly
existence of the
same materials
in the
I have
earth.
to regard
this
we have no
we have
composed.
is
all
the
of the
exist in his
substance,
though these materials are not necessarily nor probably combined in the same proportions throughout the
solar system,
we have every
luminary.
Thus we
are led to a
number
man
The
can construct
is
of interesting: con-
lime,
and
so on.
soda,
salt,
same
class carries
E5 2
on the earth.
"We are
at
made
once invited to
life,
but
We
of those worlds
at the present
peopled with
is
we have good
in-
an enormous proportion of
the time during which our earth has existed as a
world no intelligent use has been made of the supplies
lieving that throughout
But
some
that at
stars,
circle
by the
stars,
"When we
find
the
planet
is
we do
as intensely
253
But, in
we
can
stellar
exist in the
Of course we are
when we find that
atmospheres.
The
by the
stars
those
may
be transmuted.
We
know
up
is
present in
of Nature
is
stored
in vegetable
all
the
and
phenomena
thunder
and lightning, storm and hail and that even the
works of man are performed by virtue of the solar
rain, in
2 54
in
much
as
cube
and placed
at a distance of
Vega, which
But
same
in other in-
found proportional to
The
forms a
act,
variation of
new bond
many
* Although these results cannot yet be regarded as numerically exit may be interesting to consider the amount of heat given out by
Arcturus in relation to the light sent us by this star, the more so as this
seems (from the nature of its spectrum) to resemble the sun very
star
closely in constitution.
light sent to us
that supplied
the heat.
It will
power of the
star.
255
which we have seen to he in reality a vari and suggests interesting inquiries as to the
able star
Some
much more
our own sun
we can
that
in the case of
scarcely conceive
we
how
creatures, resem-
we seem compelled
to
sys-
stars.
The star Eta Argus,
which sometimes blazes out with a light
surpassing that of any of the stars in the northern
it falls
to be the
may
to the sixth
fit
its
sudden
due
to
leading magnitudes
is
stars
by the
photograph themselves.
It has
This
can be
is
proved
made
to
256
power of a
heat-giving
power,
is
light.
So that in
star's
we
amid those very features which indicate most strikingly the general resemblance which exists between
the suns constituting the sidereal system,
of space
sun
which
circle
round them
own
may
be regarded as in
know
to
all
and
which we
Is it
been
made
in vain
If thoughtful
circle
around him
all
life
ment
stars.
is
Though here we
mind
presents
them
which we
clearly before
2 tf
is
and that each exhibits in the clearest and most striking manner the wisdom and beneficence of the Almighty.
17
CHAPTEK XL
OF MINOR STARS, AND OF THE DISTRIBUTION OF STARS
IN SPACE.
me
let
not be misunderstood.
am
And here
fully sensible
that
it is
omy
that a belief in
omers of authority.
is
It is not
real uniformity of
attributed to astron-
penetrate to
stars,
its limits
in
any
direction
that leading
MINOR STAES.
are arranged in groups
complex
too
for us to
2 59
hope
manner
altogether
and that in
degrees of real magni-
to interpret
down
Now let
us consider step
by
we
and
it is
known
Next
let us consider
magnitude
as to shine
separating us from such galaxies with a light exceeding that derived from
system.
many
Now, regarding
we
find in the
is
to
be regarded
as a feature of
2 6o
any
certain parts, at
rate, of
our galaxy
it is
we
and we
shall
a characteristic peculiarity
Now, with
regard to the nebulae (resolvable and irand their claim to be regarded as external
I shall have much to say farther on
but I
resolvable),
galaxies,
may
same reasons
lie
we have
many of
precisely the
these objects
component
stars, to
be visible at
all,
must
Their
fall
within
some
stars
even
when
in these objects
tinct stars,
and a
we
system there
and innumerable
may
side-
itself,
or only
comparison
with
MINOR STARS.
The star-gauging of
261
distribution,
as
on the average
first
magnitude (the usual estimate), we see that the outermost parts of the galaxy must lie (according to Sir
W. Herschel's theory) about eight times as far from
us as the sphere of the sixth-magnitude stars.
Sir
led
by
Xow,
Milky
flat
Way
down
as
to the tenth
magnitude
nitude
stars.
mean
distance of the
first -mag-
it
may be
we
is
made
in the hypothesis
Milky
Way
as
its
shaped like a
flat
ring
circumference) whose
which
SB
262
Fig.
The
2. The
cross-section
Eing
(plan).
would be somewhat
as
shown in
Fig. 3.
Now,
Fig.
3. The
W.
whether any
Way
forms a cloven
peculiarities of the
MINOR STARS.
Milky
Way
pretation of
In the
seem
its
263
structure.
place, then, there
first
a gap or
is
rift ex-
Argo
1,
so that
we must
conceive
as
is
Way
is
broken
Next there
is,
in the constella-
so that
tunnelled through
we must
flat
ring
as is indi-
A similar
must
exist in
fies
description
2 of the ring
line.
264
Fig. 4.
The
we
to the
companying
figure.
Way
between
its
"W".
Herschel's star-gaugings.
we
to the recognition of
of observed appearances,
it
MINOR STABS.
of the
Milky
In the
first
liarity
Way
place, I
One
265
the
Milky
fact,
Way
is
may
be quite
clear of stars, or
the
is,
is
Many
instances will at
at
any
rate,
as projec-
Way may
enormous
also
so
to speak, to
a definite edge
has
be removed bodily,
may be
as far
are.
266
in
Way,
is
even a telescopic
tion,
W.
HerschePs descrip-
be seen.
star to
all
opinions, such
laws of probability,
Way
Milky
in
which
moment
To
we
placed, as
ing.
It
is
many
We
should.*
enormous
Way,
lateral extension
its
depth.
which
is
stars over
occupied by the
Way.
For
instance,
we
find
no
stars
by the Milky
above the
fifth
many other matters which make strongly against the received theory of
the sidereal system.
Nor is he unconscious of their bearing. Apparently unwilling at present to press them to their full extent, he is commonly
satisfied
MINOR STARS.
in the rift
which
crosses the
267
If this
it
all
is
an accident,
when
occnrs
is
it is re-
the very
magnitudes
may
that the
is
of the sort.
is
between the bright stars and those small stars forming the milky light, which, according to the accepted
theory, would lie so many times farther from us.*
if we have not been mistaken so far, it is very
what views we are to form. If the Milky Way
Now,
clear
is
us
by an
from
same
field of view,
then must
its
* I may add that, in drawing the maps for my new star-atlas, I have
been very much surprised to find how in many cases the position, nay
the very shape, of the Milky Way is indicated by the iucid stars which
fall
on
its
zone.
Although my own views had led me to look for a peit has been much more striking in its character than
had expected.
2 68
structure be
the
somewhat
shown
as
in Fig. 5, in which
ated of course in
Fig.
5.
size),
much
It will
tures of the
figure.
Milky
Way
Toward a would
be seen at
the gap in
Argo
toward
Cepheus
toward
The
Way in
Coal-sacks would be
may
MINOR STARS.
by the way
bo
in
269
observed to meander on
light
is
its
appearance of the Milky Way between Centauand Ophiuchus, where the interlacing branches and
the strange convolutions and clustering aggregations
described by Sir John Herschel are chiefly gathered.
I would not have it understood, however, that I at
all insist on the general shape of the spiral shown in
for the
rns
Fig.
On
5.
is
several
What I do
most obviously forced upon us by the
that (1) the apparent streams formed by
upon
evidence
is,
the Milky
as
Way
and
(2)
round
stars,
and lying in
may not
placed at
all directions
The
tions flowing
among
the considera-
7o
In the
first
marked
difference be-
many
of them.
the
we do
In that region
itself.
lie
Way
from
it
if at all, in
In the second place, we must conclude that uncounted millions of stars exist which are very minute
indeed in comparison with those which we have been
That these relatively minute
led to regard as suns.
orbs
may
tain.
than our
own
own
sun.
One cannot
MINOR STARS.
271
We
judge.
It
may be
same
sort of re-
and
any large
star,
but jet
under the
somewhat resembling those I have
action of processes
move
will
of the
Milky
Way
to indicate that
ijz
stage of development.
de-
(assuming
my interpretation of them to
be
in the
main
in
such light
moter masses.
But,
nebulous ground,
we
if,
after struggling
re-
long with a
we
then
have every reason the circumstances can furnish on behalf of the supposition that at length
we have
pierced
still
larger instrument."
Sir
ex-
MINOR STARS.
But,
if,
hue- space
ground "
273
(to
a nebulous
come
we can no
longer
We
to the conclusion
haps
but
all
that
we
we have
stars
learned per-
we can no more be
said to
we can
when
Here, then,
if I
as
many
all
make amends by
powerful telescopes
man
my
But, according
tc
274
it
re-
stars to lie
beyond
Now,
according to
my
views, there
nothing to prevent
is
among
many
JSTay,
stars to
which
my
circle,
lows,
form,
are
and
must be regarded
these orbs,
us,
times vaster.
itself there
num-
views,
their
John Herschel
as
though inexplicably segregated from their felAccording to the views I have been led to
many
And
leads
me
which no
to consider
two phenomena
The
first
is
streams of light
the
of
existence
star-streams
excessively faint
components are not separately visible in certain reSir John Herschel, who degions of the heavens.
tected this strange
as so
ually
arisen
subsequently
yet
he dwells
far
too
MINOR STARS.
275
of view
the
minnte
it
exist that,
if these
by the ordinary
There
no continuity between the stars composing them
and even the minutest telescopic stars visible in the
same general direction so that a vast void must separate them from the outermost of those telescopic stars.
According to my theory, they simply belong to outlying whorls of the spiral galaxy, and the telescopic
stars seen upon them bear the same relation to them
that the lucid stars bear to the Milky Way.
The second point is perhaps even more striking.
In certain directions Sir John Herschel recognized the
existence of two or more distinctly-marked classes of
stars, as though, he says, definite sets of stars, sepaviews respecting the structure of that system.
is
rated
by comparatively void
directions.
It
is
clear that
ordinarily accepted as
to
it is
be expected according to
association of the
obviously an arrangement
my theory
of the constitu-
Quite early in
my consideration of the
subject I
am
276
now upon,
we have
me
that in the
means of form-
down
any signs of
The second
consist-
star-drift
The
my
these stars
(I
am
visi-
ble to the
had supposed.
had thought
MINOR STARS.
277
must in
reality
accounted for
is
but
it
whose smallness
appeared
is
be
There
so to
many parts
of the heavens a
among
had expected
Knowing
that,
community
star-groups far
whatever view
we
was conscious
that,
much
much
farther off
nearer,
tion Taurus.
accompanying
plate.
all is
more
Perhaps
that illustrated
and Gemini.
278
I
Q
It will
be noticed
tliat
stars ap-
The general
star-drift is
parallelism of motion
is
unmistakable.
very striking;
its
MIX OR STARS.
lateral extent,
must be such
2 ?g
as fully to
many
a, those in space
sets
those
and those
h,
P
/3
Fia.
6.
Observed
Neighborhood.
each in
its
special direction.
space h are 0,
three smaller
nificant.
y, 8,
e,
stars.
and
f,
Their
The
stars
within the
is,
2 8o
motion are to be regarded as accidental, the coincidence is one of a most remarkable character. But
such an interpretation can hardly be looked upon as
admissible,
when we remember
is
One
of these
is
presented in
a, ft,
and
<y,
Arietis,
stars
Here
/3
and 7
may
a,
suffi-
tem.
06
Fig.
of Stars in
Head
of Aries.
am
led,
by the
facts
thousand years.
MIXOR
my
STARS.
28l
own.
course
possible
is
and advisable.
go over
it
behooves us
now
To
consider averages
now
tible undulations in
is
it
on the contrary,
quire,
another
when
whereas
we
its
re-
level, so that
peculiarities presented
certainty
by that most
in-
Or, to change
which I have
been
We must not be deterred from
dwelling consecutively and closely on these speculative views by any idea of their hopelessness which the
objectors against
paper astronomy may entertain,
living master of that kind of research
advocating, "
'
'
present) to be woven.
'
is
Hypotheses jingo
'
in this
^Non jingo
provided always they be not
hypotheses as to modes of physical action for which
ISTewton's
'
From
August
CHAPTER
THE NEBULAE
In the
last
XII.
fur
man
It
any external
has yet
we
that,
cannot possibly
many thousands
own
for our
guidance points
have
limits,
and
systems must be separated from ours by spaces exceeding the dimensions of the several galaxies
thousand or
many
We
many
know
The
di-
all
And we may
TEE NEBULA.
mg
283
Of
course
may
it
but
we have no
by
step,
is
reason
from system
to system, until
system
We know, indeed,
that
if light
that
it does),
we have
no evidence
as yet
whole of the
starlit
r'
perhaps, obvious
may be
accepted
t.
is,
sky
And we
r'
shells,
much
one
we
number of
stars
it all
varieties of distribution
and aggregation.
apparent size of the stars of one shell will be to the average apparent
size of stars in the other in the inverse proportion of the respective
from the
Thus the total amount of light from the
amount of light from stars in the other,
stars of
asr'rx-j:
r'
is
t x
to the total
-^=1
1.
received from one shell to be -yth part of that which would be received
if
is
as a
OTHER WORLDS THAN OURS.
284
may
For, though
tems similar to
space, there
light,
it
would
And
this
were limited in extent, but surrounded by similar systems of systems in the infinity of space. And so on,
let the order of systems which finally becomes infinite
There is only one way to
in number be what it may.
escape from this limitless series of system-orders that
is, by accepting as true the hypothesis that light suffers
extinction as it voyages through space. But it is worth
noticing, when we are actually dealing with the infini-
ty of space,
and when,
if
we do
is, first
other
is
therefore,
k being inconceivably
be
-r
+ +X+
large, the
and the
total
from
all
to infinity.
%.
infinite
lighted
same visual
line
THE NEBULAE.
on to infinity, and
series
if
we
what we know
285
compared with
the dimensions of those components, we no longer have
as a conclusion that the whole heavens should be
lighted up with stellar (that is with solar) splendor
even though, in this view of the subject, there are in
reality an infinite number of stars, just as in the view
according to which the sidereal system extends withis
indefinitely great
the
at
any rate
*
is
It is clear that
we no longer get,
If we take our
we
_ finite.
We
infinite series
n times - where n
- to
of shells as before,
is finite
and therefore
nitely less
_ th part
V
within that system
is finite.
is
Therefore
very
we
much
system
itself,
say
falling
shells
where
'
and so
for the
kk'
fcystem of system of systems
we
^here k"
n" very
order
we
is
indefinitely large,
_,
And
where k
indefinitely large
K
and n very large indeed.
Suppose
- to
be the largest of
all
these multi-
2 86
parts of our
own
sidereal system be
of systems
is
1+
l(
(in
which
v is
infinite
system
y2
+ i? 4 v
supposed to be
less
than
tc),
t0 infinit
i.
e.,
y)
to less than -
vJ
k yk
finite quantity,
which
n and
greater than
will
even be minute
if
Jc
v.
This particular
mode
the illumination of the heavens, without adopting the theory that light
me while I was
Theory of the Universe,"
which appeared in The Student in the spring of 1869, and I there
exhibit the considerations just dealt with.
I was much pleased to find,
from a letter of Sir John Herschel's, that the same idea had suggested
itself to him
as I was thus encouraged to believe that I had not gone
very far astray in the whole series of papers, whereof the matter in quessuffers extinction in its passage
"A New
the words in
fallacious, for
infinite
it is
literally
inferior order
system to terminate with the visible fixed stars then imagine a system
of such systems as remote from each other, in comparison with their owv.
dimensions, as the distance of the fixed stars in comparison with the
;
THE NEBULAE.
287
then
Nor
will
be
it
system
is
But there
I prefer
sidereal
adopted.
are independent considerations, on
now to
which
me
be necessary,
to point out
how
let
this
once
it is
may be
me remark
matter
It
is
is
in pass-
associated
true that,
when
it
(so
whether
we
am
not,
of extreme importance.
They
288
own peculiar
forms
Yenus
circling
Mars
must be in their special characteristics from those existing on our own earth.
Freed from those analogies which led the elder
Herschel to regard the stellar nebulae resolvable and
round
the forms of
stars, as
irresolvable *
the relations
life
in
or in
We
must
first
yet enabled
man
to
make
the
scheme, because
we
shall thus
The reader
*
By
will see
how
not resolvable into stars, yet present the characteristic features which
lead astronomers to believe that only increase of telescopic
needed
in
power
is
THE
NEBTJLJE.
289
would be
all
The
nebulae
shown by the
is
char-
though that
The
nebulae.
was a nebula
"
On August
this nebula.
armed
At
first
is,
to
what would
I then found
that the light of this nebula, unlike any other ex-terrestrial light
me
to
A great part of
spectrum.
is
monochromatic, and
after
passing
through the
line,
occupy-
ful
more
care-
little
more
by a dafk interval
occurs.
Beyond
19
a narrower and
this again, at
much
it
fainter line
2 9o
was
The
seen.
spectrum were determined by a simultaneous comparison of them in the instrument, with the spectrum
of the induction-spark taken between electrodes of
The
magnesium.
The
air-lines.
This line
is
due to
la agrees in position
The
known
line of
any
Besides the
terrestrial element.
group of bright
this
By comparing
brilliancy.
of a sperm-candle (of the size called six to the pound), he found that
By
candle.
of
such a
it related to the
absolute brightness of the nebulas, saying that " such a candle a quarter
of a mile oif
gins's
is
from
this,
His comparison relates to the intrinsic luminosity of the nebular sub(The disstance, not to the quantity of light received from the nebulas.
tance of the candle in Mr. Huggins's observations
the result
it
was
is
not considered in
THE NEBULjE.
291
There was
laid
down by
answer to
all
But
Sir
William Herschel,
it
had been
as a legitimate
gaseous,
and
astronomers had
who
ranged
Telesco-
The
tions to be
nebulae,
(iii.)
(i.)
The
(ii.)
the ring
spiral nebulae
The
orders of nebulae
irregular,
and
(iii.)
seem
Of
the
to be gas-
mantown,
is
made
ig2
Here, then,
we
Yet one
by the
is
may
fact that
dis-
tempted to
in-
among
nebulee of cer-
And
may
tion.
We know
is
concerned, there
is
very striking
we
irre-
lines
superposed on
it,
We
Clusters
Continuous Gaseous
Spectrum.
Spectrum,
....
No
resolvability detected
Total observed
10
.5
.10
....
31
15
THE NEBULM
293
have not evidence of such completeness. But Lieutenant Herschel has observed in the southern heavens
a clustering nebula with a continuous spectrum, on
which he could
And,
so far aa
which
It will
strikingly corroborated
is
this conclusion,
by other evidence,
we
are to
The
first
process
to
form a correct estimate of the nebular system corresponds to Sir William Herschel's process of star-gauging.
We
to
what general
Now, when
from
The
itself.
nebulae seem to
withdraw
the
itself
is,
of nebulse.
If this peculiarity
is
involved
is
Way,
294
tion
But
to
is
be the
chance
effect of
experimenters concluded
stance) that a
connection as
Have
(in
in-
who have
conas
it
Next
let
is
sidereal.
In the first
whether the different orders of
We find that
clusters exhibit a
seem
Way
re-
we
and
it is
only
among
the
ered
its
several orders.
The
we
consid-
number
will
affect the
THE NEBULAE.
295
first
part,
It
Milky
and the character of the nebulae as respects gaa relation which brings all the gaseous nebulae
Way
seity
When we
in the irregular
and planet-
ities
alike
nebulae
merge
when
to this
we add what
ir-
seems forcibly
the sidereal systems are but different parts of one single scheme.
89 6
it is
among
stars
nebulae,
as
Or,
we
to
is less filled
more
with glare
We
are forced
sidereal system,
by the
THE NEBULA
richly strewn, nebulae, even
down
2 gy
exists
We
tems.
well-marked star-streams.
ever,
earliest ages.
fishes,* indicate
how
clearly
ticulum,
etc.,
ern pole.
exhibit
streams.
Now,
a well-marked
So
that, in this
we have
is
a somewhat
But when we
which
am
for the
moment
it is
south of
98
much
strengthened.
nebular
There
is
this
evidence
is
the
nebular streams
stellar ones.
Such a
marked
stel-
very
found to be a well-
it
fol-
rela-
observed
ciated with
is
to be con-
sidered.
In the southern
known
JSTor,
again, can
THE NEBULJS.
299
cylindrical shape *
might be
us a circular figure
is
The probcluster of
so placed as to exhibit to
exceedingly small
but the
We
cent.
as evanes-
all
form
as,
its
nearest
from us
by a
its
its
little
may
which I
which in
fact
with
sidereal
system of
Dr. TVTie-
intimately associated
the
as con-
cone.
joo
lishing' this
pared to abandon
it only that " it must inspire some degree of caution in admitting as certain " facts directly
since he says of
opposed to
it.
It
must not be
however,
forgotten,
had
stars
pre-
and that
Whe-
spoken of as a demonstrated
fact,
and perhaps most strikingly of all, the assobetween stars and nebulae is indicated by the
Lastly,
ciation
same
irregular
field of view.
There
is
liarity in the
This
may
be
which
Sir John Herschel has remarked that the arrangement
may be, and probably is, purely accidental. His own
pictures prove in the most convincing manner that no
asserted even of those nebulae with respect to
Were
the peculi-
might adopt
his explanation.
The mere
THE NEBULA.
^o,
ing the
star
The
fact,
nebula surround-
variable
manner most
ob-
may
between the
around them.
stars
belt,
which
is
similarly involved,
and
to several other
being regions
a
mere
acci-
men
astray.
17, as
is
given a picture of
it
as af-
!No one
tem of
stars
shown
in this
drawing
is
not accidentally
302
itself.
At
seems just
but,
first
on consideration,
it
will
be found
that,
ment bear
in the
same
When we
direction.
find the
we
versa,
peculiarity,
sort
we
the relation
is
accounted for
if
we
Why,
vice
be checked,
we cannot
we
we feel
certain that
THE NEBULJE.
303
we
not accidental.
Even though
we
But
apparent.
The very
existence of such a
A stream would
if it
stars
my
theory.
But what
is
Xot only
the fact?
is
stars,
the telescopic aspect of the neighborhood of these mysterious clusters, dwells again
"
and again on
field
ulae,"
"
The
desert"
What
its
poverty.
he says of one
through a
how
is
The whole
his-
34
Magellanic Clouds and the great streams of interstars and nebulae which flow toward them as
toward some mighty lake. We see the wonderworking forces of gravitation extending their influ-
mixed
rivers
ing
stars,
and magnetism
and
heat
finally
and
light,
(though in
CHAPTER
XIII.
seem
to suggest themselves
verse around
him
as
wheu man
many
per-
manner the
and
solicitude,
is
brought to
uncounted millions
infinite love
"how
and
interest.
whom God
may
regards with
Whe-
which
must
be. disturbed
religion implies
man who
has
re-
306
do not, however,
OURS.
feel
among each
other,
own.
It
is
specially
as
is
thing, whether
it is
it
is
a wise
own
personal views
religion.
If I thought
But
307
effect
desire.*
comprises
many
infini
seem to
fall
of the student of
science.
It
is
it
suggests,
more
strikingly than
any
ceptions
we
we
all
the beginning.
*
to
be
silent,
follows
may
not
indeed be acceptable to many, but few will doubt the wisdom of the con" If we were disposed," he says, "to surclusion to which he comes.
vey the realm of sacred or inspired theology, we must quit the small
vessel of
human
Church, which alone possesses the Divine needle for justly shaping the
course.
Nor
will
not improper to
Book IX.
3 o8
such
I have
is
we cannot
reasonably con-
was a creation
and I have
all)
the infinities
we
"We know that space must be infinite. If the region amid which stars and nebulae are scattered with
so great profusion be limited, if beyond lies on all sides
a vast void, or if, instead, there be material bounds
enclosing the universe of worlds on every hand, yet
space, occupied or
ly be.
centre
Of this
is
bound ? Infinity of
unoccupied, there must undoubted-
limits of void or
infinity it
everywhere,
whether within
its
boundary nowhere.
be an
Now,
infin-
which
speak as inexact.
since
self also
as the
be
any
finite
So
infinite.
309
it-
is
ex-
ercised,
tained.
Time
must undoubtedly be
also
If the
infinite.
whatever
sort),
yet
it
we seem
is infinite
forced to
or,
more
And
thus
we
power of God
wisdom and power
infinite
since to con
Him whose
and in duration, is obviously
to conclude that the Ruler is infinitely incompetent to
rule over His kingdom
for there can be no relation
realm
is
infinite in extent
of
'
between the
and the
finite
infinite disproportion.
Now, although
the conception of
God
as a spirit-
is
yet
in
we may
He views
which
we men
way
we
can in any
way
Senses such as
or to any extent
become cognizant.
attribute
cognizant of
can be
all
And
affected.
clearly,
He
all
see
what we
effects
see, to
hear what
hear,
may
and
be said to
so
on
but
senses,
we
must be
minute
as obvious to
to be appreciated
God
by our
as the light of
day
The
His universe, we
senses
we
may
we can indeed
By
more
the sense
recognize the
but
it
is
31I
is
made to teach us
men to judge
an
object,
proceeding from
it.
Or again
municating intelligence
means of com-
same
And
what
exists or is
conceived.
processes
going on around
us,
might be readily
must be
infinitely
We must
its
operation,
Let us
first
312
which
is
man
given to
In a
the sense of
the faculties
all
sight.
"
The
modern
sults of
were dealt
I propose to
fol-
We know from
surely from the
aberration of
the fixed stars, that light does not travel with infinite
Its speed is
velocity.
fore, in travelling
to the
from any
visible object
on the earth
much
that
we
as
inso-
mo-
if asked which sense comes next to sight in this rewould answer hearing. Yet touch or rather feelinghas a range
exceeding that of hearing, since we can feel the heat emitted by the
spect,
far
sun.
Nor
is it difficult
the sense of touch, that even the minute amount of heat received from
the tixed stars might be felt, and so the range of the sense extended
many
million-fold.
3^
we
celes-
minute
little
we
the
obtain sufficiently
of our satellite.
early information
of the condition
But
light occupies
From
in reach-
ac-
thirty-five to
about
tively twice
we
see Jupi-
members
by
p4
is
system,
observer on
Neptune could
is
if
an
taking place
on the earth, he might remain for hours quite unconscious of an event important
enough
have supposed.
as I
We
an observer on Neptune watching the battle of Wateruntil the hour when Napowas yet full of hope, and our great captain
was watching with ever-growing anxiety, as charge
after charge threatened to destroy the squares on whose
We
steadfastness depended the fate of a continent.
can conceive how full of interest that scene would have
been to an intelligent Neptunian, and how eagerly he
loo
leon's heart
final
charge of the
de-
stroyed,
lentlessly
however, when
is,
we pass beyond
315
the limits of
Here we have
to deal not
From
Even the
Cygni
only reaches us in
is
ten years.
gone,
it
from us that
so far
And,
its light
whose
many
as a
views
we form
star 61
as to the
Whatever
revealed to us
which
star in
lie
by the
many
no doubt
right in adopting
that,
telescope, there
among
the stars
must be myriads
be supposed to reach
conceive, according to
faintly-seen orbs
us.
my
On
may
may be many
jl6
We
supposed.
dence that
may at any
many stars only
powerful
tele-
and therefore
galaxies,
many
an interval in traversing as
it
times as long
does in travelling to us
But
it
would be
astronomers have
On
anted.
own galaxy do
if
even
tem of
nebulae.
So that I
is
light,
am
though unrecognized by
we
mental
tial
aid,
celes-
357
many
centuries in age
had begun
to
its
central
orb.
It
is
when we
To
lie
in
us.
some
whence
would occupy thousands of years to wing its
flight to us, there would be presented, if he turned his
gaze upon our earth, and if his vision were adequate
to tell him of her aspect, the picture of events which
thousands of years since really occurred upon her surlight
a being placed on
far-distant orb,
i8
face.
winging
may
as swiftly as
when
now
is
travelling
left
it
And
which happened in
on
this
But now conceive that powers of locomotion commensurate with his wonderful powers of vision were
given to this being, and that in an instant of time he
could sweep through the enormous interval separating
earth, until
At
as
it
at its close
he
so that,
The
other conception
may
remark,
is
no
little earth.
less beautiful
also, that
it
is,
in
and
strik-
a scientific
progress of
to travel
which light
travels,
^9
travelling.
swiftly away, he
may seem
its
imperial chief.
little stress
upon the
But
as the
scientific truth
objections to the
first
conception,
it
may be
well to
idea.
He
20
would not
by him.
ceived
Among
But there
is
those thousands of years, have been thousands of revolutions of this earth around the sun,
many
rotations
would
city
So
and sweeping with even more tremendous veloaround the sun, so as to complete thousands of
He
would
see
clouds
though
all
And, even
him
to pierce the
However, we can
made
to illustrate
one mode at
be at
all
mighty.
by a
slight modi-
least in
may
which the
be conceived to
would
jving creatures
and having
first
at that instant.
Then,
if
we imagine
by the earth
millions of eyes
all
record of light,
Now,
when
in a
moment
of time presented
To apply this
We know
illustration to the
subject
we
are
Before
Him
that the
the light-messages
presenting
are
He
the
also is present
everywhere within the region through which the contracting sphere was conceived to pass.
He therefore
3ees the
light-waves.
21
We begin,
as
presented by the
however, already to
feel that
322
first
thought
of,
Him and we
and future
must be one in His sight.
But now, still considering only the information
which light conveys as it travels onward through
space, we see that what is true of our earth is true
also of every orb throughout the universe.
The whole
light-history of every such orb must be present at
;
also
who
is
omni-
have to add
ence, that
all
this further
He must
things, in the
is
cognizant
A sense which
tells us,
but
At
would
much
tell
us not
that no light-
us.
least it is conceivable
323
surface of
this sense,
ure, processes
Electricity, in like
elling
through space,
as regards these
so,
we must
imaginary
Him
way
could in any
before
less
distinct.*
is
at
is
thus cog-
may seem
is
that
He knows
man rightly
to grasp),
May
it
man
which people
sorrows
24
we have to
which the universe must be
regarded as present before Almighty God.
The senses by which we judge of what is going on
around us are, after all, merely one means by which we
judge of causes by their effects. When we say, for
instance, that we have seen such and such an object,
or watched such and such an event, what we really
imply is, that we have recognized certain physical impressions, which we can only explain by the existence
taken place in the infinity of past time,
consider another
mode
in
of that object, or
by the occurrence of
We know, in
fact,
that event.
by the actual
pres-
or
merous
so
more nu-
and
direct information.
saw the
battle of
am
I inquire
325
arises, I
find a
my
acqui-
My
number
of
more
or less com-
who
taught
me
my
con-
Not
it
Now, we
that,
are led
by these thoughts
to
remember
we
his-
Nay,
it
here
The
forms part.
26
bound up
in truth
is
OURS.
The Almighty,
an
then,
by
him
Him,
in the state
infinity
of space.*
to the future,
we must
not
way
in
future is present in
its
is
may
be regarded in fact as
merely a peculiarity of man's constitution that the
past is more clearly present to his mental vision than
present in
its fruits.
the future.
It
It is easy
form of
intelli-
obliter-
fact, if
we
mind
we
its
present exact position and state, had the history of any part of the universe,
however
insignificant,
it
in
327
nary
human mind
the past
is.
In considering the Omniscient, however, all questions of degree must be set on one side.
The future
and
it
is,
doubt that
this is so
it
and
infi-
con-
No
other view
His
In virtue
infinite
universe as
and
it
as it will
as true of
(1) of
(2)
He
whole
wisdom,
it is now,
and this being
of any other, we
be in the
infinite future
as it is
of
28
OURS.
new form
of infinity
to
And now
mighty,
who
trolling action
It
all
Does the Al
exercise any con-
things,
God
if
does exercise
tion, since
or in the future,
quite as
is
much
word
for
want of a
marily
set
better) as
He
has pri-
them.
we know
to
Here
I set
altogether
diffi-
not to
first place,
there
is
if all
It
felt
forced to
must
in a
men
we have
may be
will.
But
in reality
human foreknowledge,
is
We
have
a siense re-
;;
;
moment, the
329
possibility of miracles,
and
tional science.
happen according
man let us, then, inquire whether that attribute of man which,
though imperfect and limited, yet corresponds to the foreknowledge of
God, affords us any reason for believing that perfect foreknowledge bars
butes of
we
matter
is
so obvious,
free-will.
infinite
his actions.
which God
worlds in space
things
work according
all
the
need
of special interference on His part, has been thought by many, and is
painfully felt by some, to oppose itself to our belief in the efficacy of
prayer.
In touching on this point, I wish very carefully to avoid any
intrusion on matters apart from the general scope of my subject but a
all
few words
may be
the hearts of
all
permitted
me on
home
to
because they cannot believe that the action of the physical laws of God
can be interfered with in answer to the appeal of His creatures. It is
because I fear
lest
some of
my
felt this
difficulty,
33
Almighty
no
exercises
the-
His uni-
verse,
we
which
He
has assigned to
it
and should find their doubts confirmed by any thing I may here have
written, that I indicate the explanation which I suppose every one who
thinks
that,
it
has done,
fling,
indeed, to
human thoughts
for, in
but where
infinite
Nor
reasonable.
For instance, a
is
wisdom
is
this particular
human
father, desirous at
infini-
in question this
mode
of con-
conceptions of what
is
re-
does in the other, in reality bring about its own reward. And, further,
it may be remarked that, precisely as the greater or less certainty of the
father as to his son's obedience
would
in
no sense
God
as to the
prayers which His creatures will offer up, affect in any sense the merit
which He has been pleased to recognize in the sincere performance of
the act of prayer.
Lastly, there
is
that
is,
in
yet
of
all things.
Indeed, so far as
33
tilings take
all
place in
whether such and such an event is more or less wonderful to the unHodge or Styles on the one part, or to a Newton or a Faraday
on the other, but whether an event can really take place in which the
laws of Nature have absolutely been annulled and abrogated. I take it,
for instance, that if we could see a hungry multitude fed with a few
loaves, and were absolutely certain that so many thousands had been
learned
satisfied with what would naturally be the food but of a few, our wonder
would not be greater or less whether we viewed the matter as a laborer
would, who simply knows what hunger is and what is needed to satisfy
it, or whether we were familiar with the analysis of bread and comparted the amount of fibrine and albumen contained in the loaves with
what we knew of the daily or hourly exhaustion of the corresponding
materials in the
human
The arguments
frame.
in favor
were in
ages.
less scientific
:
God
longing to
The believer
alone
that
is,
by events of a supernatural
character.
the impossibility (in a natural sense) of an event of this sort can be ac-
cepted to disprove
its
Nor
is
it
is
essentially requisite to
that
it
since
its
connection with
a special manner
is
reasonablj
miraculous character
is
in question is to
tt 2
and
Almighty God.
will, of
We know,
of God.
often
works
may by no means
is evil
limited as our
good
or
wisdom
be
as the
is,
ac-
work
that evil
Almighty, whose
it,
we
(and
subjectively good in
fect
is
knowledge of
from it.
all
Him who
is
who
permits
it
objectively
does
it)
as
with a per-
to flow
Now,
it
it is
only
God
orable.
whose
is
supposed to have
been worked.
The argument against the occurrence of miracles has been already
As has been pointed out, it not only does not meet the
considered.
argument just
basis
stated,
of that argument
miracles
is
contrary to experience.
But
them
He who made
at
the laws
333
may annul
His pleasure.
though
it
has been
we
If His
finite,
been so planned
better),
law here, or
its
suspension there
in
foil to
wracK.
To sum
up,
we
unnecessary,
are,
all
in a very definite
past
Him
atom
334
is,
OURS.
Juration throughout
THE END.
mmm
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS
*k
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