Chapter VI: Letter THE SECOND (3)

'Tis true, the Sun may be said to be the Governor of all those Bodies round him; but how? no otherwise than he himself may be governed by a superior Agent, or a still more active Force; and methinks it is not a little absurd to suppose he is not, since we have discovered by undoubted Observations, that the same gravitating Power is common to all; and that the Stars themselves are subject to no other Direction than that which moves the whole Machine of Nature.

Thirdly, From many Observations of the polar Points, and the Obliquity of the Earth's Equator to the Plane of her solar Orbit compared together, the Sun is very justly suspected to have changed his sidereal Situation; and this must either arise from a Change in the Position of the Earth's diurnal Axis, or from a Removal of the Sun himself, out of the primitive Plane of the _Orbis Magnus_. I believe you are so much of a Mathematician, as to know that if either of these Facts be allowed, the Consequence I want will follow. I shall not therefore here enter into any farther Dispute about it; but I think it will be necessary to submit some Observations to your Consideration, that may convince you that there is a Motion somewhere to be thus discovered, and whether in the Sun, or in the Stars, or in both, I leave to your own Determination, but to assist your Imagination, I refer you to

PLATE XVIII.

The Globe S is here supposed to represent the Sun, having changed its Situation by a local Motion from A to C, and B represents the Globe of the Earth in a permanent Position, with its principal Points and Circles, respecting the primitive Plane A, B, K. Now in Consequence of the Angle of Variation, A, B, C, it evidently appears that a new ecliptic Plane, will be produced, as C, B, and also a Variation in the greatest Declination of the Sun, North and South from the Line of the _Equator_ D, L. Hence, as in this Figure, the Obliquity of the Poles P, N, and G, F, will naturally decrease, and is shewn in Quantity by the Line of Aberration H, I.

Here follows a Table of the Change observed in the Obliquity of the Ecliptic by Astronomers of different Ages.

_A Table of the Obliquity of the Ecliptic._

_Ante Christi_ ° ′

124 Arato 24 00
---- Hiparchus 23 51⅓
127 Eratosthenes 23 51½

_Anno Dom._ ° ′

140 Ptolomy 23 51⅓
749 Abategnius 23 35½
1070 Airahel 23 34
1140 Alomean 23 33
1300 Profatiograd 23 32
1458 Purbacchio 23 29½
1490 Regiomontaus 23 30
1500 Copernicus 23 28½
1592 Tycho Brahe 23 21½
1656 Cassini 23 29½

Now sure, if we consider this continual Decrease of the Sun's Declination, which can proceed from no other Cause than that of his having moved out of the primitive Plane; we need make no great Difficulty thus far, to think our Conjectures not irrational.

The following is a Citation from Dr. _Edmund Hally_, Astronomer-Royal. See _Philosophical Transactions_, N^o. 355. p. 736.

"But while I was upon this Enquiry (_of the Obliquity of the Ecliptic_) I was surprized to find the Latitudes of three of the principal Stars in the Heavens, directly to contradict the supposed greater Obliquity of the Ecliptic, which seems confirmed by the Latitudes of most of the rest; they being set down in the old Catalogues, as if the Plane of the Earth's Orbit had changed its Situation amongst the fixed Stars, about 20′ since the Time of _Hipparchus_, particularly all the Stars in _Gemini_ are put down, those to the Northward of the Ecliptic, with so much less Latitude than we find, and those to the Southward, with so much more southerly Latitude; and yet the three Stars _Palilicium_, _Sirius_, and _Arcturus_, do contradict this Rule: For by it, _Palilicium_, being in the Days of _Hipparchus_, in about 10 gr. of _Taurus_, ought to be about 15′ more southerly than at present, and _Sirius_ being then in about 15 gr. of _Gemini_, ought to be 20′ more southerly than now; yet _Ptolomy_ places the first 20′, and the other 22′ more northerly in Latitude than we now find them: Nor are these the Errors of Transcribers, but are proved to be right by the Declination of them set down by _Ptolomy_, as observed by _Timocharis_, _Hipparchus_, and himself; which shew, that these Latitudes are the same as those Authors intended. As to _Arcturus_, he is too near the Equinoctial Colour, to argue from him concerning the Change of the Obliquity of the Ecliptic; but _Ptolomy_ gives him 33′ more North Latitude than he is now found to have; and that greater Latitude is likewise confirmed by the Declinations delivered by the abovesaid Observations: So then these three Stars are found to be above half a Degree more southerly at this Time than the Antients reckoned them. When, on the contrary, at the same time, the bright Shoulder of _Orion_, has, in _Ptolomy_ almost a Degree more southerly Latitude than at present, what shall we say then? It is scarce to be believed, that the Antients could be deceived in so plain a Matter, three Observers confirming each other. Again, these Stars being the most conspicuous in Heaven, are in all Probability the nearest to the Earth; and if they have any particular Motion of their own, it is most likely to be perceived in them, which in so long a Time as eighteen hundred Years, may shew itself by the Alteration of their Places, though it be intirely imperceptible in the Space of one single Century of Years: Yet, as to _Syrius_, it may be observed, that _Tycho Brahe_ makes him 2 Min. more northerly than we now find him; whereas he ought to be above as much more southerly from his Ecliptic (whose Obliquity he makes 2′½ greater than we esteem it at the present) differing in the Whole 4′½.

One Half of this Difference may perhaps be excused, if Refraction were not allowed in this Case by _Tycho_; yet 2 Min. in such a Star as _Syrius_, is somewhat too much for him to be mistaken in.

But a more evident Proof of this Change is drawn from the Observation of the Application of the Moon to _Palilicium_, _An. Chris._ 509. _Mar. 11._ when, in the Beginning of the Night, the Moon was seen to follow that Star very near, and seemed to have eclipsed it, ἐπέβαλλε γὰρ ὁ ἀστηρ τῳ πᾶρα την διχοτομίαν μέρει τῆς κυ'ρτυς περιφειας τõυ πεφωτισμένου μερους, _i.e._ _Stella apposita erat parti per quam bisecabatur limbus Lunæ illuminatus_, as _Bullialdus_, to whom we are beholden for this ancient Observation, has translated it. Now, from the undoubted Principles of Astronomy, this could never be true at _Athens_, or near it, unless the Latitude of _Palilicium_ were much less than we at this Time find it[AM]."

[Footnote AM: Vide _Bulialdi Astr. Philolaica_, p. 172.]

The [AN]Motion of _Arcturus_ seems further confirmed, from the Observations of _Tycho Hevelius_ and Flamstead; for _Hevelius_ sets down the Distance of that Star from _Lyra_ 4′ greater than _Tycho_ had observed it seventy-two Years before him, and _Flamstead_ twenty-two Years after measured the Distance betwixt the same two Stars, still 3′ greater than _Hevelius_ found it; so that if _Lyra_ had stood still all that while, there was an Appearance of _Arcturus's_ having gone 7′ out of his Place in the Space of an hundred Years. See Dr. _Long_'s Astronomy, p. 274.

[Footnote AN: These are the nearest and greatest of the fixed Stars, the Motion of the others not having been observed, or being at too great a Distance, are either imperceptible, or have not been taken notice of.]

It is further to be observed, in Confirmation of the Motion of one of these Stars, that _Flamstead_ found the Distance of _Arcturus_, from the Head of _Hercules_ 3′ greater than it is set down by the Prince of _Hesse_; and that his Distance from the _Lion's Tail_ was a little decreased with 5½′ less Latitude than _Tycho_ had observed. Hence, to make these Observations agree, one or both of them must have moved together equal to 7′. This Change of Place, which is quite contrary to all known Causes proceeding from the Earth, must therefore be occasioned either by the Motion of the Sun, or by a particular Motion of their own; but if, amongst themselves, they must all move, and if all be in Motion, the Sun must also move.

If these Observations, delivered down to us by very able Astronomers, be either true or near it, as great Allowances have been made for the Ignorance of the Ages in which they were taken, and the Inaccuracy of the Instruments, we may naturally conclude, that these Stars must have a Motion; and if they move, as has been before observed, the Sun must also; hence he cannot now be in the original Plane of the Earth's annual Direction, or at least in the same identical Place he was at first possessed of: And if so, the Stars must also have the like Motion, though in different Directions, and all may thus be governed by the same impulsive Power.

To illustrate this primitive Motion of the Stars, and at the same time to show that the Variety which appears in the Quantity of Motion can be no Objection to it,

See PLATE XVIII. _Fig._ 2.

Where A represents the Eye of an Observer, and B, E, F, H, various Systems, moving in different Directions thro' the mundane Space; it is evident that the Sphere B, having moved from C, and that of E, not having appeared to move at all, there must be a sensible Change in the new Position of these two Systems to one another, and so of the rest; and tho' the apparent Motion of H, be much more than that of F, from the Point A, yet from C, they will appear less different, and from B, they will appear nearly equal. And farther, as the Direction from H, is in the Line I, H, and that of F, in the Line K, G, those two Systems will appear to approximate, and the Magnitude of the Star in the first will be increased, and in the latter diminished. Thus, many of the Stars in the oldest Catalogues, which were said to be of the second Magnitude, are now become of the first, and several of the first are now judged to be of the second, &c.

But as this apparent Motion of the Stars at the Earth, must, from its Nature, be very small, so as scarce to be discovered in some of them in less than an Age, with any Instrument by the nicest Observer, I judge it will be extremely proper in this Place to propose some Method, by which, in process of Time, the Truth of the Theory may be ascertained. The Way I think most likely to succeed is this.

PLATE XIX.

Is a Plan of the principal Stars that form the Pleiades, correctly taken by a Combination of Triangles, as in the Figure, from whence it will naturally follow, all the whole Form being comprehended in much less than one Degree. That the most minute local Motion in any one of those Stars in a very few Years, will be made sensible to an Eye at the Earth. For Instance, if any of the Stars that form the Letter A, or T, within the Term of ten or twenty Years, be found in the least to deviate from the Lines of their present Position and Direction, it will be evident beyond a Contradiction, that they have a Motion amongst themselves, and since at such a Distance they cannot possibly be affected by the Earth, it must be a Motion of their own; and thus if any one can be proved, to change its Situation, with regard to the rest, we can have no new Difficulty in concluding that they all may do the same.

Thus if any of the regular Triangles M B Z, Z P H, A Z M, Y A Γ, or Π Ο I, &_c._ in due Time be carefully noted, we may venture to say with great Safety, that the thousandth Part of a Degree will be plainly discovered.

PLATE XX.

Is a true Plan and Combination of the principal Stars that form the Persedes, in which other Observations may be made in a different Part of the Heavens, and perhaps with an Opportunity of being still more exact, the Areas of these Triangles, particularly that of Θ I K, and those of ρ and δ, being much less than the former, where the least Alteration possible must render them sensibly distorted. But here it must be considered, that the real Motion of the Stars, as well as their apparent, may be, and in all Likelihood, is extreamly slow, for the most minute, visible, local Motion, will answer all the Purposes we know in Nature, and the greatest seems to be that of the projectile, or centrifugal Force, which not only preserves them in their Orbits, but prevents them from rushing all together, by the common universal Law of Gravity, which otherwise, as a finite Distribution of either regular or irregular Bodies, they must at length do by Necessity.

I must now inform you, that the above Observations were compleated in the Autumn Season, 1747, and were taken by myself; the Letters A, T, in _Plate_ XIX, and the W in the XXth, as you may see, having a very near Resemblance, or Similitude, to the Order these Stars are found to be in, together with the _Greek_ Alphabet, I judged necessary, by way of _Asterism_ and _Nomenclatura_, in case such should be wanted, as _Data_ in future Discoveries.

I come now to the principal Point in Question, which is to find a regular Disposition of the Stars amongst themselves, which will naturally solve both their general and particular Phænomena, especially the _Nebula_ and _Milky Way_.

_I am now_, &c.

LETTER the SEVENTH.

_The Hypothesis, or Theory, fully explained and demonstrated, proving the sidereal Creation to be finite._

_SIR_,

I know you are an Enemy to all Sorts of Schemes where they are not absolutely necessary, and may possibly be avoided; and for that Reason I have purposely omitted many geometrical Figures, and other Representations in this Work, which might have been inserted and in some Places, especially here I might have introduced Diagrams, perhaps more explicit than Words; but as you have frequently observed, they are only of Use to the few Learned, and contribute more to the taking away the little Ideas and Knowledge the more ignorant Many may be endued with, by a prejudicial Impression of imperfect Images, rather than the adding any new Light to their Understanding, I have purposely avoided, as much as possible, both here and every where, all such complex Diagrams as might be in Danger of betraying any the least such conscious Diffidence in you, arising from the Want of a proper _Precognita_ in the Sciences.

This Imperfection, much to be lamented, as greatly to the Disadvantage of all mathematical Reasoning, I would willingly always prevent, in my Readers, and to chuse in my Friend; I shall therefore content myself with referring you to a few orbicular Figures, concave and convex, as may best suggest to your Fancy the simplest Way, a just Idea of the Hypothesis I have fram'd, and naturally enough I hope, render my Theory so intelligible, as to help you sufficiently to conceive the Solution aimed at, of the important Problem I have attempted.

As I have said before, we cannot long observe the beauteous Parts of the visible Creation, not only those of this World on which we live, but also the Myriads of bright Bodies round us, with any Attention, without being convinced, that a Power supreme, and of a Nature unknown to us, presides in, and governs it.

The Course and Frame of this vast Bulk, display
A Reason and fix'd Law, which all obey.

Sher. Manilius.

And notwithstanding the many wonderful Productions of Nature in this our known Habitation, yet the Earth, when compared with other Bodies of our own System, seems far from being the most considerable in it; and it appears not only very possible, but highly probable, from what has been said, and from what we can farther demonstrate, that there is as great a Multiplicity of Worlds, variously dispersed in different Parts of the Universe, as there are variegated Objects in this we live upon. Now, as we have no Reason to suppose, that the Nature of our Sun is different from that of the rest of the Stars; and since we can no way prove him superior even to the least of those surprising Bodies, how can we, with any Shew of Reason, imagine him to be the general Center of the whole, _i. e._ of the visible Creation, and seated in the Center of the mundane Space? This, in my humble Opinion, is too weak even for Conjecture, their apparent Distribution, and [AO]irregular Order argue so much against it.

[Footnote AO: See the Zodaical Constellations, you'll find that in some Signs there are several Stars of the first, second, and third Magnitude, and in many others none of these at all.]

The Earth indeed has long possessed the chief Seat of our System, and peaceably reigned there, as in the Center of the Universe for many Ages past; but it was human Ignorance, and not divine Wisdom, that placed it there; some few indeed from the Beginning have disputed its Right to it, as judging it no way worthy of such high Eminence. Time at length has discovered the Truth to every body, and now it is justly displaced by the united Consent of all its Inhabitants, and instead of being thought the most majestick of all Nature's lower Works, now rather disgraces the Creation, so much it is reduced in its present State from what it had Reason to expect in the former.

Now it is no longer the only terrestrial Globe in the Universe, but is proved to be one of the least Planets of the solar System, and surprizingly inferior to some of its Fellow Worlds. The Sun, or rather the System, has almost as long usurped the Center of Infinity, with as little Pretence to such Pre-heminence; but now, Thanks to the Sciences, the Scene begins to open to us on all Sides, and Truths scarce to have been dreamt of, before Persons of Observation had proved them possible, invades our Senses with a Subject too deep for the human Understanding, and where our very Reason is lost in infinite Wonders. How ought this to humble every Mind susceptible of Reason!

In this Place, I believe, you will pardon a Digression; which, in Answer to Part of your last Letter, I judge will not be very impertinent, tho' perhaps just here I cannot so well justify it.

Your late Conversation with our Friend Mr. * * *, I am perswaded, must have been very entertaining; but I cannot help thinking his Reflections upon the Wonders of Nature and the Wisdom of Providence, though I must allow them all to be very just and curious, instead of elevating the Mind to the Pitch he would have it, rather as considered above, depress it below the proper, nay I might say necessary, Standard of human Ideas.

This, probably, you'll say is an odd Turn, and may want some Explanation, since every Object in the Chain of Nature, must of Force be granted, a Subject worthy of our Speculations, being all together made, as in the Maximum of Wisdom: But what I mean is this, since nothing is more natural for Beings in every State in search after their own Advantages, and the Enlargement of their Ideas to look upward, sure it may be presumed, that Time may be mispent, if not lost in inspecting too narrowly Things so little benefical in States below us; as Mr. _Pope_ says,

Why has not Man a microscopic Eye?
For this plain Reason, Man is not a Fly.
Say what the Use, were finer Opticks given,
To inspect a Mite, not comprehend the Heav'n.

_Essay on Man._

Amusement alone can never be supposed to be the sole End of human Life, where even true Happiness is a Thing we rather taste than enjoy. The Mind we find capable of much more rational Pleasure than can possibly fall within the Reach of human Power, either to promise or procure it; but then this very Defect in our present State of Existence affords us no less than a moral Assurance, that some where in a future, we may, if we please, be entitled to the very _Plenum_ of all Enjoyments.

The peculiar Business then of the human Mind naturally precedes its Amusements, as evidently ordained to soar above all the inferior Beings of this World; and however our Natures may, thro' Indolence, or thro' Ignorance, degenerate, that of the Man can never be supposed to sink into the Mole.

The properest Way then sure for Men to preserve their Pre-heminence over the Brute Creation, is to make use of that Reason and Reflection, which so manifestly distinguishes their natural Superiority. A right Application of which, must of course then direct us to a forward, rather than a backward Search in the vast visible Chain of our Existence, which clearly connects all Beings and States as under the Direction of one supreme Agent.

This is all I would have understood by the foregoing Position, which, in one Word, implies no more than that the sublime Philosophy ought in all Reason to be preferred to the Minute; but I hope you will not infer from this my seeming Partiality for the celestial Sciences, that I mean to insinuate, that the Study of terrestrial Physicks is not a rational Amusement.

Mr. ***, you say, seems to lament the Taste of Mankind in general much in the same Degree as you do his I readily grant you; a Man who can talk so well upon an Ant, might make a more entertaining Discourse upon the Eagle; but I beg his Pardon, and though we are all too ready, and most apt to condemn all such Pleasures as vain or trifling, which we have no Share in, or Taste for ourselves; yet I don't think it follows, that those ingenious Labours of his are useless. The Pleasures arising from natural Philosophy are all undoubtedly great ones, whether we consider Nature in her highest, or in her lowest Capacity; the Beauties of the Creation are every Day varied to us below, as much they are every Night above, and in both Cases, through every Object, the Creator shines so manifest, that we may justly consider him every where smiling full in the Face of all his Creatures, commanding as it were an awful Reverence, and Respect, due not only to his Omnipotency, but also to his infinite Goodness and endless Indulgencies. This is the only Return our Gratitude can make for all those Blessings he daily bestows upon us, and to this great Author of her Laws; Nature herself cries aloud through Myriads of various Objects, and after her own expressive and peculiar Manner, seems to command us with an attractive Grace, to observe her Sovereign, and admire his Wisdom. The Majesty, Power, and Dominion of God is best displayed in the external Direction of Things, his Wisdom and visible Agency in the internal: Hence, by proper Objects, selected from both, attended with just Reflections, we may certainly raise our Ideas almost to the Pitch of Immortals; but how far the human Imagination may possibly go, or how much Minds like ours may be improved, is a Question not easily determined; but as natural Knowledge evidently increases daily, and astronomical Enquiries are the most capable of opening our Minds, and enlarging our Conception, of consequence they must be most worthy our Attention of all other Studies. But of this I have said enough, and think it is now more than Time to attempt the remaining Part of my Theory.

When we reflect upon the various Aspects, and perpetual Changes of the Planets, both with regard to their[AP] heliocentric and geocentric Motion, we may readily imagine, that nothing but a like eccentric Position of the Stars could any way produce such an apparently promiscuous Difference in such otherwise regular Bodies. And that in like manner, as the Planets would, if viewed from the Sun, there may be one Place in the Universe to which their Order and primary Motions must appear most regular and most beautiful. Such a Point, I may presume, is not unnatural to be supposed, altho' hitherto we have not been able to produce any absolute Proof of it. See _Plate_ XXV.

[Footnote AP: Not to mention their several Conjunctions and Apulces to fixed Stars, &_c._ see the State of the Heavens in 1662, _December_ the first, when all the known Planets were in one Sign of the Zodiac, _viz._ _Sagittarius_.]

This is the great Order of Nature, which I shall now endeavour to prove, and thereby solve the Phænomena of the _Via Lactea_; and in order thereto, I want nothing to be granted but what may easily be allowed, namely, that the _Milky Way_ is formed of an infinite Number of small Stars.

Let us imagine a vast infinite Gulph, or Medium, every Way extended like a Plane, and inclosed between two Surfaces, nearly even on both Sides, but of such a Depth or Thickness as to occupy a Space equal to the double Radius, or Diameter of the visible Creation, that is to take in one of the smallest Stars each Way, from the middle Station, perpendicular to the Plane's Direction, and, as near as possible, according to our Idea of their true Distance.

But to bring this Image a little lower, and as near as possible level to every Capacity, I mean such as cannot conceive this kind of continued Zodiac, let us suppose the whole Frame of Nature in the Form of an artificial Horizon of a Globe, I don't mean to affirm that it really is so in Fact, but only state the Question thus, to help your Imagination to conceive more aptly what I would explain[AP]. _Plate_ XXIII. will then represent a just Section of it. Now in this Space let us imagine all the Stars scattered promiscuously, but at such an adjusted Distance from one another, as to fill up the whole Medium with a kind of regular Irregularity of Objects. And next let us consider what the Consequence would be to an Eye situated near the Center Point, or any where about the middle Plane, as at the Point A. Is it not, think you, very evident, that the Stars would there appear promiscuously dispersed on each Side, and more and more inclining to Disorder, as the Observer would advance his Station towards either Surface, and nearer to B or C, but in the Direction of the general Plane towards H or D, by the continual Approximation of the visual Rays, crowding together as at H, betwixt the Limits D and G, they must infallibly terminate in the utmost Confusion. If your Opticks fails you before you arrive at these external Regions, only imagine how infinitely greater the Number of Stars would be in those remote Parts, arising thus from their continual crowding behind one another, as all other Objects do towards the Horizon Point of their Perspective, which ends but with Infinity: Thus, all their Rays at last so near uniting, must meeting in the Eye appear, as almost, in Contact, and form a perfect Zone of Light; this I take to be the real Case, and the true Nature of our _Milky Way_, and all the Irregularity we observe in it at the Earth, I judge to be intirely owing to our Sun's Position in this great Firmament, and may easily be solved by his Excentricity, and the Diversity of Motion that may naturally be conceived amongst the Stars themselves, which may here and there, in different Parts of the Heavens, occasion a cloudy Knot of Stars, as perhaps at E.

But now to apply this Hypothesis to our present Purpose, and reconcile it to our Ideas of a circular Creation, and the known Laws of orbicular Motion, so as to make the Beauty and Harmony of the Whole consistent with the visible Order of its Parts, our Reason must now have recourse to the Analogy of Things. It being once agreed, that the Stars are in Motion, which, as I have endeavoured in my last Letter to shew is not far from an undeniable Truth, we must next consider in what Manner they move. First then, to suppose them to move in right Lines, you know is contrary to all the Laws and Principles we at present know of; and since there are but two Ways that they can possibly move in any natural Order, that is, either in right Lines, or in Curves, this being one, it must of course be the other, _i. e._ in an Orbit; and consequently, were we able to view them from their middle Position, as from the Eye seated in the Center of _Plate_ XXV. we might expect to find them separately moving in all manner of Directions round a general Center, such as is there represented. It only now remains to shew how a Number of Stars, so disposed in a circular Manner round any given Center, may solve the Phænomena before us. There are but two Ways possible to be proposed by which it can be done, and one of which I think is highly probable; but which of the two will meet your Approbation, I shall not venture to determine, only here inclosed I intend to send you both. The first is in the Manner I have above described, _i. e._ all moving the same Way, and not much deviating from the same Plane, as the Planets in their heliocentric Motion do round the solar Body. In this Case the primary, secondary, and tertiary constituent Orbits, &_c._ framing the Hypotheses, are represented in _Plate_ XXII, and the Consequence of such a Theory arising from such an universal Law of Motion in _Plate_ XXIII. where B, D denotes the local Motion of the Sun in the true _Orbis Magnus_, and E, C that of the Earth in her proper secondary Orbit, which of course is supposed, as is shewn in the Figure to change its sidereal Positions, in the same Manner as the Moon does round the Earth, and consequently will occasion a kind of Procession, or annual Variation in the Place of the Sun, not unlike that of the Equinoxes, or Motion of all the Stars together, from West to East round the Ecliptic Poles, and probably may in some Degree be the Occasion of it. This Angle is represented, but much magnified, by the Lines F, C, G, and the Unnaturalness, or Absurdity of a right Line Motion of the Sun by the Line I, H.

The second Method of solving this Phænomena, is by a spherical Order of the Stars, all moving with different Direction round one common Center, as the Planets and Comets together do round the Sun, but in a kind of Shell, or concave Orb. The former is easily conceived, from what has been already said, and the latter is as easy to be understood, if you have any Idea of the Segment of a Globe, which the adjacent Figures, will, I hope, assist you to. The Doctrine of these Motions will perhaps be made very obvious to you, by inspecting the following Plates.

PLATE XXIV.

Is a Representation of the Convexity, if I may call it so, of the intire Creation, as a universal Coalition of all the Stars consphered round one general Center, and as all governed by one and the same Law.

PLATE XXV.

Is a centeral Section of the same, with the Eye of Providence seated in the Center, as in the virtual Agent of Creation.

PLATE XXVI.

Represents a Creation of a double Construction, where a superior Order of Bodies C, may be imagined to be circumscribed by the former one A, as possessing a more eminent Seat, and nearer the supream Presence, and consequently of a more perfect Nature. Lastly,

PLATE XXVII.

Represents such a Section, and Segments of the same, as I hope will give you a perfect Idea of what I mean by such a Theory.

_Fig._ 1. is a corresponding Section of the Part at A, in _Fig._ 2. whose versed Sine is equal to half the Thickness of the starry Vortice A C, or B A. Now I say, by supposing the Thickness of this Shell, 1. you may imagine the middle Semi-Chord A D, or A E, to be nearly 6; and consequently thus in a like regular Distribution of the Stars, there must of course be at least three Times as many to be seen in this Direction of the Sine, or Semi-chord A E, itself, than in that of the semi-versed Sine A C, or any where near the Direction of the Radius of the Space G. Q. E. D.

But we are not confined by this Theory to this Form only, there may be various Systems of Stars, as well as of Planets, and differing probably as much in their Order and Distribution as the Zones of _Jupiter_ do from the Rings of _Saturn_, it is not at all necessary, that every collective Body of Stars should move in the same Direction, or after the same Model of Motion, but may as reasonably be supposed as much to vary, as we find our Planets and Comets do.

Hence we may imagine some Creations of Stars may move in the Direction of perfect Spheres, all variously inclined, direct and retrograde; others again, as the primary Planets do, in a general Zone or Zodiack, or more properly in the Manner of _Saturn's_ Rings, nay, perhaps Ring within Ring, to a third or fourth Order, as shewn in _Plate_ XXVIII. nothing being more evident, than that if all the Stars we see moved in one vast Ring, like those of _Saturn_, round any central Body, or Point, the general Phænomena of our Stars would be solved by it; see _Plate_ XXIX. _Fig._ 1. and 2. the one representing a full Plane of these Motions, the other a Profile of them, and a visible Creation at B and C, the central Body A, being supposed as _incognitum_, without the finite View; not only the Phænomena of the _Milky Way_ may be thus accounted for, but also all the cloudy Spots, and irregular Distribution of them; and I cannot help being of Opinion, that could we view _Saturn_ thro' a Telescope capable of it, we should find his Rings no other than an infinite Number of lesser Planets, inferior to those we call his Satellites: What inclines me to believe it, is this, this Ring, or Collection of small Bodies, appears to be sometimes very excentric, that is, more distant from _Saturn's_ Body on one Side than on the other, and as visibly leaving a larger Space between the Body and the Ring; which would hardly be the Case, if the Ring, or Rings, were connected, or solid, since we have good Reason to suppose, it would be equally attracted on all Sides by the Body of _Saturn_, and by that means preserve every where an equal Distance from him; but if they are really little Planets, it is clearly demonstrable from our own in like Cases, that there may be frequently more of them on one Side, than on the other, and but very rarely, if ever, an equal Distribution of them all round the _Saturnian_ Globe.

How much a Confirmation of this is to be wished, your own Curiosity may make you judge, and here I leave it for the Opticians to determine. I shall content myself with observing that Nature never leaves us without a sufficient Guide to conduct us through all the necessary Paths of Knowledge; and it is far from absurd to suppose Providence may have every where throughout the whole Universe, interspersed Modules of every Creation, as our Divines tell us, Man is the Image of God himself.

Thus, Sir, you have had my full Opinion, without the least Reserve, concerning the visible Creation, considered as Part of the finite Universe; how far I have succeeded in my designed Solution of the _Via Lactea_, upon which the Theory of the Whole is formed, is a Thing will hardly be known in the present Century, as in all Probability it may require some Ages of Observation to discover the Truth of it.

It remains that I should now give you some Idea of Time and Space; but this will afford Matter sufficient for another Letter.

_I am_, &c.