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
Here a Groupe of Worlds, all Vallies, Lakes, and Rivers, adorn'd with
Mountains, Woods, and Lawns, Cascades and natural Fountains; there
Worlds all fertile Islands, cover'd with Woods, perhaps upon a common
Sea, and fill'd with Grottoes and romantick Caves. This Way, Worlds all
Earth, with vast extensive Lawns and Vistoes, bounded with perpetual
Greens, and interspersed with Groves and Wildernesses, full of all
Varieties of Fruits and Flowers. That World subsisting perhaps by soft
Rains, this by daily Dews, and Vapours; and a third by a central,
subtle Moisture, arising like an Effluvia, through the Pores and Veins
of the Earth, and exhaling or absorbing as the Season varies to answer
Nature's Calls. Round some perhaps, so dense an Atmosphere, that the
Inhabitants may fly from Place to Place, or be drawn through the Air
in winged Chariots, and even sleep upon the Waves with Safety; round
others possibly, so thin a fluid, that the Arts of Navigation may be
totally unknown to it, and look'd upon as impracticable and absurd,
as Chariot flying may be here with us; and some where not improbably,
superior Beings to the human, may reside, and Man may be of a very
inferior Class; the second, third, or fourth perhaps, and scarce
allow'd to be a rational Creature. Worlds, with various Moons we know
of already; Worlds, with Stars and Comets only, we equally can prove is
very probable; and that there may be Worlds with various Suns, is not
impossible. And hence it is obvious, that there may not be a Scene of
Joy, which Poetry can paint, or Religion promise; but somewhere in the
Universe it is prepared for the meritorious Part of Mankind. Thus all
Infinity is full of States of Bliss; Angelic Choirs, Regions of Heroes,
and Realms of Demi-Gods; Elysian Fields, Pindaric Shades, and Myriads
of inchanting Mansions, not to be conceived either by Philosophy or
Fancy, assisted by the strongest Genius and warmest Imagination.
All harmoniously crowded and provided with every Object of Beatitude,
that Friendship, Love, or Society can inspire, the Muses or the
Graces Frame; and all as permanent and perfect, that is destin'd to
a Duration, suited to the Nature of their Existence and Degree of
Cognisance; for as a very learned Writer observes upon this same
Subject:
"How can we tell, but that there may be above us Beings of greater
Powers, and more perfect Intellects, and capable of mighty Things,
which yet may have corporeal Vehicles as we have, but _finer_ and
_invisible_? Nay, who knows, but that there may be even of these many
_Orders_, rising in Dignity of Nature, and Amplitude of Power, one
above another? It is no Way below the Philosophy of these Times, which
seems to delight in inlarging the Capacities of Matter, to assert the
Possibility of this."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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