An original theory or new hypothesis of the universe: $b founded upon the laws of nature, and solving by mathematical principles the general phænomena of the visible creation; and particularly the via lactea ...Wright, Thomas
Philosophy
An original theory or new hypothesis of the universe: $b founded upon the laws of nature, and solving by mathematical principles the general phænomena of the visible creation; and particularly the via lactea ...
Wright, Thomas
Astronomy -- Early works to 1800
Perhaps you may expect that I should here give you my Conjectures of
what sort of Beings may be supposed to reside in the _Ens Primum_, or
_Sedes Beatorum_ of the known Universe, whether mortal, immortal, or
Creatures partaking in some Degree of the Properties of both; as such
may be conceiv'd to change their Natures and States, without a total
Dissolution of their Senses by Death: And farther, it may possibly
be judged unpardonable in me not to point out every blessed Abode,
suited to the Virtues, and all the various States an immortal Soul
may be translated to; but this is a Task above the human Capacity, or
is the pure Province of Religion alone; the Business of a Revelation
rather than Reason to discover. Besides, it is enough for the present
Purpose, to prove, that Miriads of celestial Mansions, are to be
discovered within our finite View, and by a kind of ocular Revelation,
which visibly extends the human Prospect, as it were, far beyond the
Grave. It matters not whether a Race of Heroes fill these Worlds, or
a Tribe of happy Lovers people those; whether a Peasant in the Realms
of Orion shall ever become a Prince in the Regions of _Arcturus_, or a
Patriarch in _Procion_, a Prophet in the _Precepæ_. Not to mention all
the Stages human Nature may, or have been destined to in any one World,
as believ'd by the ancient Philosophers, besides the final Coalition of
all Beings much more naturally to be expected in the _Sedes Beatorum_.
I say, whatever our Case may be with regard to these _Queries_ and
Futurity, the Plan and Principles of this Theory will not be at all
changed by it, since what it is chiefly founded upon may be clearly
demonstrated, so clearly and incontestably, that, with the Reverend Dr.
_Young_, we may justly conclude,
Devotion! Daughter of Astronomy!
and affirm with him also, That,
An indevout Astronomer is mad.
But I find what I at first proposed will prove too long for this
Letter. However, I will endeavour to reward your Patience in my next,
and continue, &_c._
LETTER the SIXTH.
_Of General Motion amongst the Stars, the Plurality of Systems, and
Innumerability of Worlds._
_SIR_,
Since my last, you'll find by this, speaking in the Stile of _Kercher_,
that I have been very far from home, round almost the visible Creation.
I have indeed applied myself very closely to transcribe my Thoughts to
you upon the old Subject the _Milky Way_, which my former Letter left
imperfected. To return then to the Theory of the Stars, and that yet
unreconciled Phænomenon; let us reason a little upon the visible Order
of the Stars in general, and see what Conclusions can be drawn from
what every Astronomer knows of them, and cannot be disputed.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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