[Sidenote: Objections against the Earth’s motion answered.] 112. There is but one objection of any weight that can be made to the Earth’s motion round the Sun; which is, that in opposite points of the Earth’s Orbit, it’s Axis which always keeps a parallel direction would point to different fixed Stars; which is not found to be fact. But this objection is easily removed by considering the immense distance of the Stars in respect of the diameter of the Earth’s Orbit; the latter being no more than a point when compared to the former. If we lay a ruler on the side of a table, and along the edge of the ruler view the top of a spire at ten miles distance; then lay the ruler on the opposite side of the table in a parallel situation to what it had before, and the spire will still appear along the edge of the ruler; because our eyes, even when assisted by the best instruments are incapable of distinguishing so small a change. 113. Dr. BRADLEY, our present Astronomer Royal, has found by a long series of the most accurate observations, that there is a small apparent motion of the fixed Stars, occasioned by the aberration of their light, and so exactly answering to an annual motion of the Earth, as evinces the same, even to a mathematical demonstration. Those who are qualified to read the Doctor’s modest Account of this great discovery may consult the _Philosophical Transactions_, N^o 406. Or they may find it treated of at large by Drs. SMITH[19], LONG[20], DESAGULIERS[21], RUTHERFURTH, Mr. MACLAURIN[22], and M. DE LA CAILLE[23]. [Sidenote: Why the Sun appears to change his place.] 114. It is true that the Sun seems to change his place daily, so as to make a tour round the starry Heavens in a year. But whether the Earth or Sun moves, this appearance will be the same; for, when the Earth is in any part of the Heavens, the Sun will appear in the opposite. And therefore, this appearance can be no objection against the motion of the Earth. 115. It is well known to every person who has sailed on smooth Water, or been carried by a stream in a calm, that however fast the vessel goes he does not feel its progressive motion. The motion of the Earth is incomparably more smooth and uniform than that of a ship, or any machine made and moved by human art: and therefore it is not to be imagined that we can feel it’s motion. [Sidenote: The Earth’s motion on it’s Axis demonstrated.]