Perhaps, too, the Author may be allowed to say, that he has tried to give to the book, not only a moral, but a scientific interest; by collecting his scientific facts from the best authorities, and the most recent discoveries. He would flatter himself, in particular, that the view of the Nebulæ and of the Solar System, which he has here given, may be not unworthy of some attention on the part of astronomers and observers, as an occasion of future researches in the skies. CONTENTS OF THE PLURALITY OF WORLDS. PAGE Introduction. 9 CHAPTER I. Astronomical Discoveries. 17 CHAPTER II. Astronomical Objection to Religion. 33 CHAPTER III. The Answer from the Microscope. 41 CHAPTER IV. Further Statement of the Difficulty. 49 CHAPTER V. Geology. 72 CHAPTER VI. The Argument from Geology. 98 CHAPTER VII. The Nebulæ. 135 CHAPTER VIII. The Fixed Stars. 163 CHAPTER IX. The Planets. 192 CHAPTER X. Theory of the Solar System. 219 CHAPTER XI. The Argument from Design. 236 CHAPTER XII. The Unity of the World. 275 CHAPTER XIII. The Future. 292 INTRODUCTORY NOTICE TO THE AMERICAN EDITION. It is an interesting feature in the literature of our day, that so many minds are turning their attention to the bearings of science upon religion. With a few honorable exceptions, Christian scholars have regarded this as a most unpromising field, which they have left to the tilting and gladiatorship of scepticism. But we owe it mainly to the disclosures of geology, that the tables are beginning to be turned. For a long time suspected of being in league with infidelity, it was treated as an enemy, and Christians thought only of fortifying themselves against its attacks. But they are finding out, that if this science has been seen in the enemy's camp, it was only because of their jealousy that it was compelled to remain there; like captives that are sometimes pushed forwards to cover the front rank and receive the fire of their friends. Judging from the number of works, some of them very able, that appear almost monthly from the press, in which illustrations of religion are drawn from geology, we may infer that this science is beginning to be recognized by the friends of religion as an efficient auxiliary.