Chapter II: Part 2

But I perceive I am got ſomewhat too far: Let us firſt enquire a little concerning the bodily Senſes of theſe Planetary Perſons; for without ſuch, neither will Life be any Pleaſure to them, nor Reaſon of any Uſe. And I think it very probable, that all their Animals, as well their Beaſts as rational Creatures, are like ours in all that relates to the Senſes: For without the Power of Seeing we ſhould find it impoſſible for Animals to provide Food for themſelves, or be ſore-warn’d of any approaching Danger, ſo as to guard themſelves from it. So that where-ever we plant any Animals, except we wou’d have them lead the Life of Worms or Moles, we muſt allow them Sight; than which nothing can conduce more either to the Preſervation or Pleaſure of their Lives. Then if we conſider the wonderful Nature of Light, and the [Sight.] amazing Artifice in the fit framing the Eye for the Reception of it, we cannot but ſee that Bodies ſo vaſtly remote could not be perceived by us in their proper Figures and juſt Diſtances, any other way than by Sight. For this Senſe, and all others that we know of, muſt proceed from an external Motion. Which in the ſenſe of Seeing muſt come either from the Sun, the fix’d Stars, or Fire: whoſe Particles being put into a very quick Motion, communicate it to the Celeſtial Matter about, whence ’tis convey’d in a very ſhort time to the moſt diſtant parts, juſt like Sound through the Air. If it were not for this Motion of the intermediate Ætherial Matter, we ſhould be all in Darkneſs, and have Sight neither of Sun nor Stars, nor any thing elſe, for all other Light muſt come to us by Reflection from them. This Motion perceived by the Eyes is called Light. And the nice Curioſity of this Perception is admirable, in that it is cauſed by the ſmalleſt Particles of the luminous Body brought to us by that fine Matter, which at the ſame time determine the Coaſt from whence the Motion comes; and in that all theſe different Roads of Motion, theſe Waves croſſing and interfering with one another, are yet no hindrance to every one’s free Paſſage. All theſe Things are ſo wiſely, ſo wonderfully contrived, that it’s above the Power of humane Wit, to invent or frame any thing like them; nay, it is very difficult ſo much as to imagine and comprehend them. For what can be more amazing, than that one ſmall Part of the Body ſhould be ſo deviſed and framed, as by its means to ſhow us the Shape, the Poſition, the Diſtance, and all the Motions, nay, and all the Colours, of a Body that is far remote from us, that it may appear the more diſtinct? And then the artful Compoſition of the Eye, drawing an exact Picture of the Objects without it, upon the concave Side of the Choroides, is even above all Admiration, nor is there any Thing in which God has more plainly manifeſted his excellent Geometry. And theſe Things are not only contriv’d and fram’d with ſo great Wiſdom and Skill, as not to admit of better, but to any one that conſiders them attentively, they ſeem to be of ſuch a Nature as not to allow any other Method. For it’s impoſſible that Light ſhould repreſent Objects to us at ſo vaſt a diſtance, except by ſuch an intervening Motion; and it’s as impoſſible that any other Compoſition of the Eye ſhould be equally fitted to the Reception of ſuch Impreſſions. So that I cannot but think them greatly miſtaken, that maintain theſe Things might have been contrived many other Ways. It’s likely then, and credible, that in theſe Things the Planets have an exact correſpondence with us, and that their Animals have the ſame Organs, and uſe the ſame way of Sight that we do. They muſt have Eyes therefore, and two at leaſt we muſt grant them, otherwiſe they would not perceive thoſe Things cloſe to them, nor hardly be able to walk about with Safety. And if we muſt allow them to all Animals for the Preſervation of their Life, how much more muſt they that make more, and more noble Uſes of them, not be deprived of the Bleſſing of ſo advantageous Members? For by them we view the various Flowers, and the elegant Features of Beauty: with them we read, we write, we contemplate the Heavens and Stars, and meaſure their Diſtances, Magnitudes, and Journeys: which how far they are common to the Inhabitants of thoſe Worlds with us, I ſhall preſently examine. But firſt I ſhall enquire whether now we have given them one, we ought alſo to give them the other [Hearing.] four Senſes. And indeed as to Hearing many Arguments perſwade me to give it a Share in the Animals of thoſe new Worlds. For ’tis of great conſequence in defending us from ſudden Accidents; and, eſpecially when Seeing is of no uſe to us, it ſupplies its Place, and gives us ſeaſonable warning of any imminent Danger. Beſides, we ſee many Animals call their Fellow to them with their Voice, which Language may have more in it than we are aware of, tho’ we don’t underſtand it. But if we do but conſider the vaſt Uſes and neceſſary Occaſions of Speaking on the one ſide, and Hearing on the other, among thoſe Creatures that make uſe of their Reaſon, it will ſcarce ſeem credible that two ſuch uſeful, ſuch excellent Things were deſigned only for us. For how is it poſſible but that they that are without theſe, muſt be without many other Neceſſaries and Conveniences of Life? Or what can they have to recompenſe this Want? Then, if we go ſtill farther, and do but meditate upon the neat and frugal Contrivance of Nature in making the ſame Air, by the drawing in of which we live, by whoſe Motion we ſail, and by whoſe Means Birds fly, for a Conveyance of Sound to our Ears; and this Sound for the Conveyance of another Man’s Thoughts to our Minds: Can we ever imagine that ſhe has left thoſe other Worlds deſtitute of ſo vaſt [A Medium to convey Sound to the Ears.] Advantages? That they don’t want the Means of them is certain, for their having Clouds in Jupiter puts it paſt doubt that they have Air too; that being moſtly formed of the Particles of Water flying about, as the Clouds are of them gathered into ſmall Drops. And another Proof of it is, the neceſſity of breathing for the preſervation of Life, a Thing that ſeems to be as univerſal a Dictate of Nature, as feeding upon the Fruits of the Earth.

[Touch.]

As for Feeling, it ſeems to be given upon neceſſity to all Creatures that are cover’d with a fine and ſenſible Skin, as a Caution againſt coming too near thoſe Things that may injure or incommode them: and without it they would be liable to continual Wounds, Blows and Bruiſes. Nature ſeems to have been ſo ſenſible of this, that ſhe has not left the leaſt place free from ſuch a Perception. Therefore it’s probable that the Inhabitants of thoſe Worlds are not without ſo neceſſary a Defence, and ſo fit a Preſervative againſt Dangers and Miſhaps.

[Smell and Taſte.]

And who is there that doth not ſee the inevitable neceſſity for all Creatures that live by feeding to have both Taſte and Smell, that they may diſtinguiſh thoſe Things that are good and nouriſhing, from thoſe that are miſchievous and harmful? If therefore we allow the Planetary Creatures to feed upon Herbs, Seeds, or Fleſh, we muſt allow them Taſte and Smell, that they may chuſe or refuſe any Thing according as they find it likely to be advantageous or noxious to them.

I know that it hath been a Queſtion with many, whether there might not have been more Senſes than theſe five. [Their Senſes not very different from ours.] If we ſhould allow this, it might nevertheleſs be reaſonably doubted, whether the Senſes of the Planetary Inhabitants are much different from ours. I muſt confeſs, I cannot deny but there might poſſibly have been more Senſes; but when I conſider the Uſes of thoſe we have, I cannot think but they would have been ſuperfluous. The Eye was made to diſcern near and remote Objects, the Ear to give us notice of what our Eyes could not, either in the Dark or behind our Back: Then what neither the Eye nor the Ear could, the Noſe was made (which in Dogs is wonderfully nice) to warn us of. And if any thing eſcapes the notice of the other four Senſes, we have Feeling to inform us of the too near Approaches of it before it can do us any miſchief. Thus has Nature ſo plentifully, ſo perfectly provided for the neceſſary preſervation of her Creatures here, that I think ſhe can give nothing more to thoſe there, but what will be needleſs and ſuperfluous. Yet the Senſes were not wholly deſigned for uſe: but Men from all, and all other Animals from ſome of them, reap Pleaſure as well as Profit, as from the Taſte in delicious Meats; from the Smell in Flowers and Perfumes; from the Sight in the Contemplation of beauteous Shapes and Colours; from the Hearing in the Sweetneſs and Harmony of Sounds; from the Feeling in Copulation, unleſs you pleaſe to count that for a particular Senſe by it ſelf. [They have Pleaſure ariſing from the Senſes.] Since it is thus, I think ’tis but reaſonable to allow the Inhabitants of the Planets theſe ſame Advantages that we have from them. For upon this Conſideration only, how much happier and eaſier a Man’s Life is rendred by the enjoyment of them, we muſt be obliged to grant them theſe Bleſſings, except we would engroſs every thing that is good to our ſelves, as if we were worthier and more deſerving than any elſe. But moreover, that Pleaſure which we perceive in Eating or in Copulation, ſeems to be a neceſſary and provident Command of Nature, whereby it tacitly compels us to the preſervation and continuance of our Life and Kind. It is the ſame in Beaſts. So that both for their Happineſs and Preſervation it’s very probable the reſt of the Planets are not without it. Certainly when I conſider all theſe Things, how great, noble, and uſeful they are; when I conſider what an admirable Providence it is that there’s ſuch a Thing as Pleaſure in the World, I can’t but think that our Earth, the ſmalleſt part almoſt of the Univerſe, was never deſign’d to monopolize ſo great a Bleſſing. And thus much for thoſe Pleaſures which affect our bodily Senſes, but have little or no relation to our Reaſon and Mind. But there are other Pleaſures which Men enjoy, which their Soul only and Reaſon can reliſh: Some airy and brisk, others grave and ſolid, and yet nevertheleſs Pleaſures, as ariſing from the Satisfaction which we feel in Knowledge and Inventions, and Searches after Truth, of which whether the Planetary Inhabitants are not partakers, we ſhall have an opportunity of enquiring by and by. There

There are ſome other things to be conſider’d firſt, in which it’s probable they have ſome relation to us. That the Planets have thoſe Elements of Earth, Air and Water, as well as we, I have already made not unlikely. Let us now ſee whether they may not have Fire alſo: which is not ſo properly call’d an Element, as a very quick Motion of the Particles in the inflammable [All the Planets have Fire.] Body. But be it what it will, there are many Arguments for their not being without it. For this Earth is not ſo truly call’d the Place of Fire as the Sun: and as by the Heat of that all Plants and Animals here thrive and live; ſo, no doubt, it is in the other Planets. Since then Fire is cauſed by a moſt intenſe and vigorous Heat, it follows that the Planets, eſpecially thoſe nearer the Fountain of it, have their proportionate degrees of Heat and Fire. And ſince there are ſo many ways of its Production, as by the collection of the Rays of the Sun, by the reflection of Mirrors, by the ſtriking of Flint and Steel, by the rubbing of Wood, by the cloſe loading of moiſt Graſs, by Lightning, by the eruptions of Mountains and Volcanos, it’s ſtrange if neither Art ſhould have produced it, nor Nature effected it there by one of theſe many means. Then how uſeful and neceſſary is it to us? By it we drive away Cold, and ſupply the want of the Sun in thoſe Countries where his oblique Rays make a leſs vigorous Impreſſion, and ſo keep a great part of the Earth from being an uninhabited Deſert: which is equally neceſſary in all the Planets, whether we allow them Succeſſion of Seaſons, or a perpetual Spring and Æquinox: for even then the Countries near the Pole would receive but little Advantage from the Heat of the Sun. By the help of this we turn the Night into Day, and thereby make a conſiderable addition to the ſhortneſs of our Lives. Upon all theſe Accounts we ought not to think this Earth of ours enjoy it all alone, and exclude all the other Planets from ſo advantageous and ſo profitable a Gift.

But perhaps it may be asked as well concerning Brutes as rational Creatures, and of their Plants and Trees too, whether they are proportionably [The bigneſs of their Creatures not rightly gueſt at by the bigneſs of the Planets.] larger or leſs than ours. For if the Magnitude of the Planets was to be the Standard of their meaſure, there would be Animals in Jupiter ten or fifteen times larger than Elephants, and as much longer than our Whales, and then their Men muſt be all Giants in reſpect to us. Now tho’ I don’t ſee any ſo great Abſurdity in this as to make it impoſſible, yet there is no reaſon to think it is really ſo, ſeeing Nature has not always ty’d her ſelf to thoſe Rules which we have thought more convenient for her: For example, the Magnitude of the Planets is not anſwerable to their diſtances from the Sun; but Mars, tho’ more remote, is far leſs than Venus: and Jupiter turns round his Axis in ten Hours, when the Earth which is much leſs than him, ſpends 24. But ſince Nature, perhaps ſome will ſay, has not obſerved ſuch a Regularity in the proportion of Things, for ought we know there may be only a Race of Pygmies about the Bigneſs of Frogs and Mice, poſſeſs’d of the Planets. But I ſhall ſhow that this is very improbable by and by.

[In the Planets are ſorts of rational Creatures as well as here.]

There may ariſe another Queſtion, whether there be in the Planets but one ſort of rational Creatures, or if there be not ſeveral ſorts poſſeſſed of different degrees of Reaſon and Senſe. There is ſomething not unlike this to be obſerved among us. For to paſs by thoſe who have human Shape (altho’ ſome of them would very well bear that Enquiry too) if we do but conſider ſome ſorts of Beaſts, as the Dog, the Ape, the Beaver, the Elephant, nay ſome Birds and Bees, what Senſe and Underſtanding they are maſters of, we ſhall be forced to allow, that Man is not the only rational Animal. For we diſcover ſomewhat in them of Reaſon independent on, and prior to all Teaching and Practice.

But ſtill no Body can doubt, but that the Underſtanding and Reaſon of Man is to be preferr’d to theirs, as being comprehenſive of innumerable Things, indued with an infinite memory of what’s paſt, and capable of providing againſt what’s to come. That there is ſome ſuch Species of rational Creatures in the other Planets, which is the Head and Sovereign of the reſt, is very reaſonable to believe: for otherwiſe, were many Species endued with the ſame Wiſdom and Cunning, we ſhould have them always doing Miſchief, always quarrelling and fighting one with another for Empire and Sovereignty, a Thing that we feel too much of where we have but one ſuch Species. But to let that paſs, our next Enquiry ſhall be concerning thoſe Animals in the Planets which are furniſhed with the greateſt Reaſon, whether it’s poſſible to know wherein they employ it, and whether they have made as great Advances in Arts and Knowledge as we in our Planet. Which deſerves moſt to be conſidered and examined of any thing belonging to their Nature; and for the better Performance of it we muſt take our Riſe ſomewhat higher, and nicely view the Lives and Studies of Men.

And in thoſe things wherein Men provide and take care only of what’s abſolutely neceſſary for the preſervation of their Life; in defending themſelves from the Injuries of the Air; in ſecuring themſelves againſt the Incurſions of Enemies by Walls; and againſt Fraud and Diſturbances by Laws; in educating their Children, and providing for themſelves and them: In all theſe I can ſee no great reaſon that Man has to boaſt of the Pre-eminency of his Reaſon above Beaſts and other Animals. For moſt of theſe Things they perform with greater Eaſe and Art than we, and ſome of them they have no need of. For that Senſe of Virtue and Juſtice in which Man excels, of Friendſhip, Gratitude and Honeſty, of what uſe are they, but either to put a ſtop to the Wickedneſs of Man, or to ſecure us from mutual Aſſaults and Injuries, Things wherein the Beaſts want no Guide but Nature and Inclination? Then if we ſet before our Eyes the manifold Cares, the Diſturbances of Mind, the reſtleſs Deſires, the dread of Death, that are the reſult of this our Reaſon; and compare them with that eaſy, quiet, and harmleſs Life which other Animals enjoy, we ſhould be apt to wiſh a Change, and conclude that they, eſpecially Birds, lived with more Pleaſure and Happineſs than Man could with all his Wiſdom. For they have as great a Reliſh of bodily Pleaſures as we, let the new Philoſophers ſay what they will, who would have them to be nothing but Clocks and Engines of Fleſh; a Thing which Beaſts ſo plainly confute by crying and running away from a Stick, and all other Actions, that I wonder how any one could ſubſcribe to ſo abſurd and cruel an Opinion. Nay, I can ſcarce doubt but that Birds feel no ſmall Pleaſure in their eaſy, ſmooth ſailing through the Air; and would much more if they but knew the Advantages it hath above our ſlow and [Men chiefly differ from Beaſts in the Study of Nature.] laborious Progreſſion. What is it then after all that ſets human Reaſon above all other, and makes us preferable to the reſt of the Animal World? Nothing in my Mind ſo much as the Contemplation of the Works of God, and the Study of Nature, and the improving thoſe Sciences which may bring us to ſome knowledge in their Beauty and Variety. For without Knowledge what would be Contemplation? And what difference is there between a Man, who with a careleſs ſupine Negligence views the Beauty and Uſe of the Sun, and the fine golden Furniture of the Heaven, and one who with a learned Niceneſs ſearches into their Courſes; who underſtands wherein the Fix’d Stars, as they are call’d, differ from the Planets, and what is the Reaſon of the regular Viciſſitude of the Seaſons; who by ſound Reaſoning can meaſure the Magnitude and Diſtance of the Sun and Planets? Or between ſuch a one as admires perhaps the nimble Activity and ſtrange Motions of ſome Animals, and one that knows their whole Structure, underſtands the whole Fabrick and Architecture of their Compoſition? If therefore the Principle we before laid down be true, that the other Planets are not inferiour in Dignity to ours, [They have Aſtronomy.] what follows but that they have Creatures not to ſtare and wonder at the Works of Nature only, but who employ their Reaſon in the Examination and Knowledge of them, and have made as great Advances therein as we have? They do not only view the Stars, but they improve the Science of Aſtronomy: nor is there any thing can make us think this improbable, but that fond Conceitedneſs of every Thing that we call our own, and that Pride that is too natural to us to be eaſily laid down. But I know ſome will ſay, we are a little too bold in theſe Aſſertions of the Planets, and that we mounted hither by many Probabilities, one of which, if it chance to be falſe, and contrary to our Suppoſition, would, like a bad Foundation, ruin the whole Building, and make it fall to the Ground. But I would have them to know, that all I have ſaid of their Knowledge in Aſtronomy, has Proofs enough, antecedent to thoſe we now produced. For ſuppoſing the Earth, as we did, one of the Planets of equal Dignity and Honour with the reſt, who would venture to ſay, that no where elſe were to be found any that enjoy’d the glorious Sight of Nature’s Theatre? Or if there were any Fellow-Spectators, yet we were the only ones that had dived deep into the Secrets and Knowledge of it? So that here’s a Proof not ſo far fetch’d for the Aſtronomy of the Planets, the ſame which we uſed for their having rational Creatures, and enjoying the other Advantages we before talk’d of, which ſerves at the ſame time for the Confirmation of our former Conjectures. But if Amazement and Fear at the Eclipſes of the Moon and Sun gave the firſt occaſion to the Study of Aſtronomy, as probably they did, then it’s almoſt impoſſible that Jupiter and Saturn ſhould be without it; the Argument being of much greater force in them, by reaſon of the daily Eclipſes of their Moons, and the frequent ones of the Sun to their Inhabitants. So that if a Perſon diſintereſted in his Judgment, and equally ignorant of the Affairs of all the Planets, were to give his Opinion in this Matter, I don’t doubt he would give the Cauſe for Aſtronomy to thoſe two Planets rather than us.

This Suppoſition of their Knowledge and Uſe of Aſtronomy in the Planetary Worlds, will afford us many new Conjectures about their manner of Life, and their State as to other things.

[And all its ſubſervient Arts.]

For, Firſt: No Obſervations of the Stars that are neceſſary to the Knowledge of their Motions, can be made without Inſtruments; nor can theſe be made without Metal, Wood, or ſome ſuch ſolid Body. Here’s a neceſſity of allowing them the Carpenters Tools, the Saw, the Ax, the Plane, the Mallet, the File: and the making of theſe requires the Uſe of Iron, or ſome equally hard Metal. [Geometry and Arithmetick:] Again, theſe Inſtruments can’t be without a Circle divided into equal Parts, or a ſtrait Line into unequal. Here’s a neceſſity for introducing Geometry and Arithmetick. Then the Neceſſity [And Writing.] in ſuch Obſervations of marking down the Epochas or Accounts of Time, and of tranſmitting them to Poſterity, will force us to grant them the Art of Writing; perhaps very different from ours which is commonly uſed, but I dare affirm not more ingenious or eaſy. For how much more ready and expeditious is our Way, than by that multitude of Characters uſed in China; and how vaſtly preferable to Knots tied in Cords, or the Pictures in uſe among the barbarous People of Mexico and Peru? There’s no Nation in the World but has ſome way or other of writing or marking down their Thoughts: So that it’s no wonder if the Planetary Inhabitants have been taught it by that great School-miſtreſs Neceſſity, and apply it to the Study of Aſtronomy and other Sciences. In Aſtronomical Matters the Neceſſity of it is moreover apparent from hence, that the Motion of the Stars is as ’twere to be fancied and gueſs’d at in different Syſtems, and theſe Syſtems to be continually improved and corrected, as later and more exact Obſervations ſhall convince the old ones of Faults: all which can never be deliver’d down to ſucceeding Generations, unleſs we make uſe of Letters and Figures.

But after all theſe large and liberal Allowances to Them, they will ſtill be behind-hand with us. For we have ſo certain a Knowledge of the true [And Opticks.] Syſtem and Frame of the Univerſe; we have ſo admirable an Invention of Teleſcopes to help our failing Eye-ſight in the view of the Bigneſs and different Forms of the Planetary Bodies, in the diſcovery of the Mountains, and the Shadows of them on the Surface of the Moon, in the bringing to light an innumerable multitude of Stars otherwiſe inviſible, that we muſt neceſſarily be far their Maſters in that Knowledge. Hence it is almoſt neceſſary (except we have a Mind to flatter and complement our ſelves as the only People that have the Advantage of ſuch excellent Inventions) either to allow the Planetary Inhabitants ſuch ſharp Eyes as not to need them, or elſe the uſe of Glaſſes to help the Deficiency of their Sight. And yet I dare not aſſert this, leſt any one ſhould be ſo diſturbed at the Extravagancy of ſuch an Opinion, as to take the meaſure of my other Conjectures by it, and hiſs them all off, upon the account of this alone.

[Theſe Sciences not contrary to Nature.]

But ſome Body may perhaps object, and that not without reaſon at firſt ſight, that the Planetary Inhabitants it’s likely are deſtitute of all refined Knowledge, juſt as the Americans were before they had Commerce with the Europeans. For if one conſiders the Ignorance of thoſe Nations, and of others in Aſia and Africa equally barbarous, it will appear as if the main Deſign of the Creator in placing Men upon the Earth was that they might live, and, in a juſt ſenſe of all the Bleſſings and Pleaſure they enjoy, worſhip the Fountain of their Happineſs; but that ſome few went beyond the Bounds of Nature in their Enquiries after Knowledge. There does not want an Anſwer to theſe Men. For God could not but foreſee the Advances Men would make, in their enquiring into the Heavenly Bodies: that they would diſcover Arts uſeful and advantageous to Life: that they would croſs the Seas, and dig up the Bowels of the Earth. Nothing of all this could happen contrary to the Mind and Knowledge of the Infinite Author of all Things. And if he foreſaw theſe Things would be, he ſo appointed and deſtin’d them to humane kind. And the Studies of Arts and Sciences cannot be ſaid to be contrary to Nature, ſince in the ſearch thereof they are employ’d: eſpecially if we conſider how great the natural, deſire and love of Knowledge, rooted in all Men is. For it’s impoſſible this ſhould have been given them upon no Deſign or Account. But they will urge, that if ſuch a Knowledge is natural, if we were born for it, why are there ſo very few, eſpecially in Aſtronomy, that proſecute theſe Studies? For Europe is the only Quarter of the Earth in which there have been any Advancements made in Aſtronomy. And as for the Judicial Aſtrology, which pretends to foretel what is to come, it is ſuch a wretched and oftentimes miſchievous piece of Madneſs, that I do not think it ought to be ſo much as named here. And even in Europe, not one in a hundred Thouſand meddles with theſe Studies. Beſides, its Original and Riſe is ſo late, that many Ages were paſt before the very firſt Rudiments of Aſtronomy or Geometry (which is neceſſary to the learning of it) were known. For every Body is acquainted almoſt with its firſt Beginnings in Egypt and Greece. Add to this, that ’tis not yet above fourſcore Years ſince the bungling Epicycles were diſcarded, and the true and eaſy plain Motion of the Planets was diſcovered. For the Satisfaction of theſe Scruples, to what we ſaid before, concerning the Fore-knowledge of God, may be added this; That God never deſigned we ſhould come into the World Aſtronomers or Philoſophers; theſe Arts are not infuſed into us at our Birth, but were ordered, in long Tracts of Time, by degrees to be the Rewards and Reſult of laborious Diligence; eſpecially thoſe Sciences which are now in debate, are ſo much the more difficult and abſtruſe, that their late Invention and ſlow Progreſs are ſo far from being a Wonder, that it is rather ſtrange they were ever diſcover’d at all. There are but few, I acknowledge one or two perhaps in an Age, that purſue them, or think them their Buſineſs: but their Number will be very conſiderable if we take in thoſe that have lived in all the Ages in which Aſtronomy hath flouriſhed: and no Body can deny them that Happineſs and Contentment which they have pretended to above all others. In fine, it was ſufficient that ſo ſmall a Number ſhould make it their Study, ſo that the Profit and Advantage of their Inventions might but ſpread it ſelf over all the World. Since then the Inhabitants of this Earth, let them be never ſo few, have had Parts and Genius ſufficient for the Attainment of this Knowledge; and there’s no reaſon to think the Planetary Inhabitants leſs ingenious or happy than our ſelves; we have gain’d our Point, and ’tis probable that they are as skilful Aſtronomers as we can pretend to be. So that now we may venture to deduce ſome Conſequences from ſuch a Suppoſition.

We have before ſhow’d the neceſſary Dependence and Connexion, not only of Geometry and Arithmetick, but of Mechanical Arts and Inſtruments with this Science. This leads us naturally to the Enquiry how they can uſe theſe Inſtruments and Engines for the Obſervation of the Stars, how they can write down ſuch their Obſervations, and perform other Things which we do with our Hands. So that we muſt neceſſarily give them [They have Hands.] Hands, or ſome other Member, as convenient for all those Uſes, inſtead of them. One of the ancient Philoſophers laid ſuch Streſs upon the Uſe and Conveniency of the Hands, that he made no ſcruple to affirm, they were the Cauſe and Foundation of all our Knowledge. By which, I ſuppoſe, he meant no more, than that without their Help and Aſſiſtance Men could never arrive to the Improvement of their Minds in natural Knowledge: And indeed not without Reaſon. For ſuppoſe inſtead of them they had had Hoofs like Horſes or Bullocks given them, they might have laid indeed the Model and Deſign of Cities and Houſes in their Head, but they would never have been able to have built them. They would have had no Subject of Diſcourſe but what belong’d to their Victuals, Marriages, or Self-preſervation. They would have been void of all Knowledge and Memory, and indeed would have been but one degree diſtant from brute Beaſts. What could we invent or imagine that could be ſo exactly accommodated to all the deſign’d Uſes as the Hands are? Elephants can lay hold of, or throw any thing with their Proboſcis, can take up even the ſmalleſt Things from the Ground, and can perform ſuch ſurpriſing Things with it, that it has not very improperly been call’d their Hand, tho’ indeed it is nothing but a Noſe ſomewhat longer than ordinary. Nor do Birds ſhow leſs Art and Deſign in the Uſe of their Bills in the picking up their Meat, and the wonderful Compoſure of their Neſts. But all this is nothing to thoſe Conveniences the Hand is ſo admirably ſuited to; nothing to that amazing Contrivance in its Capacity of being ſtretched, or contracted, or turned to any Part as Occaſion ſhall require. And then, to paſs by that nice Senſe that the Ends of the Fingers are endued with, even to the feeling and diſtinguiſhing moſt ſorts of Bodies in the Dark, what Wiſdom and Art is ſhow’d in the Diſpoſition of the Thumb and Fingers, ſo as to take up or keep faſt hold of any Thing we pleaſe? Either then the Planetary Inhabitants muſt have Hands, or ſomewhat equally convenient, which it is not eaſy to conceive; or elſe we muſt ſay that Nature has been kinder not only to us, but even to Squirrels and Monkeys than them.

[And Feet.]

That they have Feet alſo ſcarce any one can doubt, that does but conſider what we ſaid but juſt now of Animals different Ways of going along, which it’s hard to imagine can be perform’d any other ways than what we there recounted. And of all thoſe, there’s none can agree ſo well with the ſtate of the Planetary Inhabitants, as that that we here make uſe of. Except (what is not very probable, if they live in Society, as I ſhall ſhow they do) they have found out the Art of flying in ſome of thoſe Worlds.

[That they are upright.]

The Stature and Shape of Men here does ſhow forth the Divine Providence ſo much in its being ſo fitly adapted to its deſign’d Uſes, that it is not without reaſon that all the Philoſophers have taken notice of it, nor without Probability that the Planetary Inhabitants have their Eyes and Countenance upright, like us, for the more convenient and eaſy Contemplation and Obſervations of the Stars. For if the Wiſdom of the Creator is ſo obſervable, ſo Praiſe-worthy in the Poſition of the other Members; in the convenient Situation of the Eyes, as Watches in the higher Region of the Body; in the removing of the more uncomely Parts out of ſight as ’twere, we cannot but think he has almoſt obſerved the ſame Method in the Bodies of thoſe remote Inhabitants. Nor [It follows not therefore that they have the ſame Shape with us.] does it follow from hence that they muſt be of the ſame Shape with us. For there is ſuch an infinite poſſible variety of Figures to be imagined, that both the Structure of their whole Bodies, and every part of them, both outſide and inſide, may be quite different from ours. How warmly and conveniently are ſome Creatures cloth’d with Wool, and how finely are others decked and adorn’d with Feathers? Perhaps among the rational Creatures in the Planets there may ſome ſuch diſtinction be obſerv’d in their Garb and Covering; a Thing in which Beaſts ſeem to excel Men in here. Unleſs perhaps Men are born naked, for this reaſon to put them upon employing and exerciſing their Wits, in the inventing and making that Attire that Nature had made neceſſary for them. And ’tis this Neceſſity that has been the greateſt, if not only occaſion of all the Trade and Commerce, of all the Mechanical Inventions and Diſcoveries that we are Maſters of. Beſides, Nature might have another great Conveniency in her Eye, by bringing Men into the World naked, namely, that they might accommodate themſelves to all places of the World, and go thicker or thinner cloth’d, according as the Seaſon and Climate they liv’d in requir’d. There may ſtill be conceived a greater difference between us and the Inhabitants of the Planets; for there are ſome ſort of Animals, ſuch as Oyſters, Lobſters, and Crab-fiſh, whoſe Fleſh is on the inſide of their Bones as ’twere. But that which hinders me from aſcribing ſuch a kind of Frame and Compoſition to the Planetary Inhabitants, is that Nature ſeems to have done it only in a few of the meaneſt Sort of Creatures, and that hereby they would be deprived of that quick eaſy motion of their Hands and Fingers, which is ſo uſeful and neceſſary to them, otherwiſe I ſhould not be much affected with the odd Shape and Figure.

[A rational Soul may inhabit another Shape than ours.]

For ’tis a very ridiculous Opinion, that the common People have got, that ’tis impoſſible a rational Soul ſhould dwell in any other Shape than ours. And yet as ſilly as ’tis, it has been the occaſion of many Philoſophers allowing the Gods no other Shape; nay, the Foundation of a Sect among the Chriſtians, that from hence have the Name of Anthropomorphites. This can proceed from nothing but the Weakneſs, Ignorance, and Prejudice of Men; the ſame as that other concerning humane Shape, that it is the handſomeſt and moſt excellent of all others, when indeed it’s nothing but a being accuſtomed to that Figure that makes us think ſo, and a Conceit that we and all other Animals naturally have, that no Shape or Colour can be ſo good as our own. Yet ſo powerful are theſe, that were we to meet with a Creature of a much different Shape from Man, with Reaſon and Speech, we ſhould be much ſurpriſed and ſhocked at the Sight. For if we try to imagine or paint a Creature like a Man in every Thing elſe, but that has a Neck four times as long, and great round Eyes five or ſix times as big, and farther diſtant, we cannot look upon’t without the utmoſt Averſion, altho’ at the ſame time we can give no account of our Diſlike.

[The Planetarians not leſs than we.]

When I juſt now mentioned the Stature of the Planetary Inhabitants, I hinted that ’twas improbable they ſhould be leſs than we are. For it’s likely, that as our Bodies are made in ſuch a proportion to our Earth, as to render us capable of travelling about it, and making Obſervations upon its Bulk and Figure, the ſame Order is obſerv’d in the Inhabitants of the other Planets, unleſs in this Particular alſo, which is very conſiderable, we would prefer our ſelves to all others. Then ſeeing we have before allow’d them Aſtronomy and Obſervations, we muſt give them Bodies and Strength ſufficient for the ruling their Inſtruments, and the erecting their Tubes and Engines. And for this the larger they are the better. For if we ſhould ſuppoſe them Dwarfs not above the Bigneſs of Rats or Mice, they could neither make ſuch Obſervations as are requiſite; nor ſuch Inſtruments as are neceſſary to thoſe Obſervations. Therefore we muſt ſuppoſe them larger than, or at leaſt equal to, our ſelves, eſpecially in Jupiter and Saturn, which are ſo vaſtly bigger than the Planet which we inhabit.

[They live in Society.]

Aſtronomy, we ſaid before, could never ſubſiſt without the writing down the Obſervations: Nor could the Art of Writing (any more than the Arts of Carpenters and Founders) ever be found out except in a Society of reaſonable Creatures, where the Neceſſities of Life forc’d them upon Invention: So that it follows from hence, (as was before ſaid) that the Planetary Inhabitants muſt in this be like us, that they maintain a Society and Fellowſhip with, and afford mutual Aſſiſtances and Helps to one another. Hereupon we muſt allow them a ſettled, not a wandring Scythian way of living, as more convenient for Men in ſuch Circumſtances. But what follows from hence? Muſt they not have every thing elſe proper for ſuch a manner of living granted them too? Muſt they not have their Governours, Houſes, Cities, Trade and Bartering? Why ſhould they not, when even the barbarous People of America and other Places were at their firſt Diſcovery found to have ſomewhat of that nature in uſe among them. I don’t ſay, that Things muſt be the ſame there as they are here. We have many that may very well be ſpared among rational Creatures, and were deſign’d only for the preſervation of Society from all Injury, and for the curbing of thoſe Men who make an ill uſe of their Reaſon to the Detriment of others. Perhaps in the Planets they have ſuch plenty and affluence of all good Things, as they neither need or deſire to ſteal from one another; perhaps they may be ſo juſt and good as to be at perpetual Peace, and never to lie in wait for, or take away the Life of their Neighbour: perhaps they may not know what Anger or Hatred are; and if ſo, they muſt be much happier than we. But it’s more likely they have ſuch a mixture of Good with Bad, of Wiſe with Fools, of War with Peace, and want not that School-miſtreſs of Arts Poverty. For, as was before ſhown, ſome good uſe may be made of theſe things, but if not, there is no Reaſon why we ſhould prefer their Condition to our own.

[They enjoy the Pleaſures of Society.]

What I am now going to ſay may ſeem ſomewhat more bold, and yet is not leſs likely than the former. For if theſe Nations in the Planets live in Society, as I have pretty well ſhow’d they do, ’tis ſomewhat more than probable that they enjoy not only the Profit, but the Pleaſures ariſing from Society: ſuch as Converſation, Amours, Jeſting, and Shews. Otherwiſe we ſhould make them live without Diverſion or Merriment; we ſhould deprive them of the great Sweetneſs of Life, which it can’t well be without, and give our ſelves ſuch an Advantage over them as Reaſon will by no means admit of.

But to proceed to a farther Enquiry into their Buſineſs and Employment, let’s conſider what we have not yet mention’d, wherein they may bear any Likeneſs to us. And firſt we have good Reaſon to believe they build themſelves Houſes, becauſe we are ſure they are not without their Showers. For in Jupiter have been obſerved Clouds, big no doubt with Vapours and Water, which hath been proved by many other Arguments, not to be wanting in that Planet. They have Rain then, for otherwiſe how could all the Vapours drawn up by the Heat of the Sun be diſpoſed of? And Winds, for they are cauſed only by Vapours diſſolved by Heat, and it’s plain that they blow in Jupiter by the continual Motion and Variety of the [They have Houſes to ſecure ’em from Weather.] Clouds about him. To protect themſelves from theſe, and that they may paſs their Nights in Quiet and Safety, they muſt build themſelves Tents or Huts, or live in Holes of the Earth. But why may we not ſuppoſe the Planetary Inhabitants to be as good Architects, have as noble Houſes, and as ſtately Palaces as our ſelves? Unleſs we think that every Thing which belongs to our ſelves is the moſt beautiful and perfect that can be. And who are we, but a few that live in a little Corner of the World, upon a Ball ten Thouſand times leſs than Jupiter or Saturn? And yet we muſt be the only skilful People at Building; and all others muſt be our Inferiours in the Knowledge of uniform Symetry; and not be able to raiſe Towers and Pyramids as high, magnificent, and beautiful, as our ſelves. For my part, I ſee no reaſon why they may not be as great Maſters as we are, and have the Uſe of all thoſe Arts ſubſervient to it, as Stone-cutting and Brick-making, and whatſoever elſe is neceſſary for it, as Iron, Lead and Glaſs; or ornamental to it, as Gilding and Picture.

If their Globe is divided like ours, into Sea and Land, as it’s evident it is (elſe whence could all thoſe Vapours in Jupiter proceed?) we have great Reaſon to allow them the Art of Navigation, and not vainly ingroſs ſo great, ſo uſeful a Thing to our ſelves. Eſpecially conſidering the great Advantages Jupiter and Saturn have for Sailing, in having ſo many Moons to direct their Courſe, by whoſe Guidance they may attain eaſily to the Knowledge that we are not Maſters of, of the Longitude of Places. And what a Multitude of other Things follow from this Allowance? If they have Ships, they muſt have Sails and Anchors, Ropes, Pullies, and Rudders, which are of particular Uſe in directing a Ship’s Courſe againſt the Wind, and in ſailing different Ways with the ſame Gale. And perhaps they may not be without the Uſe of the Compaſs too, for the magnetical Matter, which continually paſſes thro’ the Pores of our Earth, is of ſuch a Nature, that it’s very probable the Planets have ſomething like [They have Navigation, and all Arts ſubſervient.] it. But there’s no doubt but that they muſt have the Mechanical Arts and Aſtronomy, without which Navigation can no more ſubſiſt, than they can without Geometry.

But Geometry ſtands in no need of being prov’d after this manner. Nor doth it want Aſſiſtance from other Arts which depend upon it, but we may have a nearer and ſhorter Aſſurance of their not being without it in thoſe Earths. For that Science is of ſuch ſingular Worth and Dignity, ſo peculiarly imploys the Underſtanding, and gives it ſuch a full Comprehenſion and infallible [As Geometry.] certainty of Truth, as no other Knowledge can pretend to: it is moreover of ſuch a Nature, that its Principles and Foundations muſt be ſo immutably the ſame in all Times and Places, that we cannot without Injuſtice pretend to monopolize it, and rob the reſt of the Univerſe of ſuch an incomparable Study. Nay Nature it ſelf invites us to be Geometricians; it preſents us with Geometrical Figures, with Circles and Squares, with Triangles, Polygones, and Spheres, and propoſes them as it were to our Conſideration and Study, which abſtracting from its Uſefulneſs, is moſt delightful and raviſhing. Who can read Euclid, or Apollonius, about the Circle, without Admiration? Or Archimedes of the Surface of the Sphere, and Quadrature of the Parabola without Amazement? or conſider the late ingenious Diſcoveries of the Moderns with Boldneſs and Unconcernedneſs? And all theſe Truths are as naked and open, and depend upon the ſame plain Principles and Axioms in Jupiter and Saturn as here, which makes it not improbable that there are in the Planets ſome who partake with us in theſe delightful and pleaſant Studies. But what’s the greateſt Argument with me, that there are ſuch, is their Uſe, I had almoſt ſaid Neceſſity, in moſt Affairs of humane Life. Now we are got thus far, what if we ſhould venture ſomewhat farther, and ſay, that they have our Inventions of the Tables of Sines, of Logarithms, and Algebra? I know it would ſound very odd, and perhaps a little ridiculous, and yet there’s no reaſon but the thinking our ſelves better than all the World, to hinder them from being as happy in their Diſcoveries, and as ingenious in their Inventions as we our ſelves are.

[They have Muſick.]

It’s the ſame with Muſick as with Geometry, it’s every where immutably the ſame, and always will be ſo. For all Harmony conſiſts in Concord, and Concord is all the World over fix’d according to the ſame invariable Meaſure and Proportion. So that in all Nations the Difference and Diſtance of Notes is the ſame, whether they be in a continued gradual Progreſſion, or the Voice makes skips over one to the next. Nay very credible Authors report, that there’s a ſort of Bird in America, that can plainly ſing in order ſix muſical Notes: Whence it follows, that the Laws of Muſick are unchangeably fix’d by Nature, and therefore the ſame Reaſon holds for their Muſick, as we e’en now ſhewed for their Geometry. For why, ſuppoſing other Nations and Creatures, endued with Reaſon and Senſe as well as we, ſhould not they reap the Pleaſures ariſing from theſe Senſes as well as we too? I don’t know what Effect this Argument, from the immutable Nature of theſe Arts, may have upon the Minds of others; I think it no inconſiderable or contemptible one, but of as great Strength as that which I made uſe of above to prove that the Planetary Inhabitants had the Senſe of Seeing.

But if they take delight in Harmony, there is no doubt but that they have invented Muſical Inſtruments. For they could ſcarce help lighting upon ſome or other by chance; the Sound of a tight String, the Noiſe of the Winds, or the whiſtling of Reeds, might have given them the hint. From theſe ſmall Beginnings they perhaps, as well as we, have advanced by degrees to the Uſe of the Lute, Harp, Flute, and many ſtring’d Inſtruments. But altho’ the Tones are certain and determinate, yet we find among different Nations a quite different manner and rule for Singing; as formerly among the Dorians, Phrygians, and Lydians, and in our Time among the French, Italians, and Perſians. In like manner it may ſo happen, that the Muſick of the Inhabitants of the Planets may widely differ from all theſe, and yet be very good. But why we ſhould look upon their Muſick to be worſe than ours, there’s no reaſon can be given; neither can we well preſume that they want the Uſe of Halſ-Notes and Quarter-Notes, ſeeing the Invention of Halſ-Notes is ſo obvious, and the Uſe of them ſo agreeable to Nature. Nay, to go a Step farther, what if they ſhould excel us in the Theory and practick part of Muſick, and outdo us in Conſorts of vocal and inſtrumental Muſick, ſo artificially compos’d, that they ſhew their Skill by the Mixtures of Diſcords and Concords? and of this laſt ſort ’tis very likely the 5th and 3d are in uſe with them.

This is a very bold Aſſertion, but it may be true for ought we know, and the Inhabitants of the Planets may poſſibly have a greater inſight into the Theory of Muſick than has yet been diſcover’d among us. For if you ask any of our Muſicians, why two or more perfect Fifths cannot be uſed regularly in Compoſition; ſome ſay ’tis to avoid that Sweetneſs and Luſhiouſneſs which ariſes from the Repetition of this pleaſing Chord. Others ſay, this muſt be avoided for the ſake of that Variety of Chords that are requiſite to make a good Compoſition; and theſe Reaſons are brought by Cartes and others. But an Inhabitant of Jupiter or Venus will perhaps give you a better Reaſon for this, viz. becauſe when you paſs from one perfect Fifth to another, there is ſuch a Change made as immediately alters your Key, you are got into a new Key before the Ear is prepared for it, and the more perfect Chords you uſe of the ſame kind in Conſecution, by ſo much the more you offend the Ear by theſe abrupt Changes.

Again, one of theſe Inhabitants perhaps can ſhow how it comes about, that in a Song of one or more Parts, the Key cannot be kept ſo well in the ſame agreeable Tenour, unleſs the intermediate Cloſes and Intervals be ſo temper’d, as to vary from their uſual Proportions, and thereby to bear a little this way or that, in order to regulate the Scale. And why this Temperature is beſt in the Syſtem of the Strings, when out of the Fifth the fourth Part of a Comma is uſually cut off; This ſame thing I have formerly ſhew’d at large.

But for the regulating the Tone of the Voice (as I before hinted) that may admit of a more eaſy proof, and we ſhall give you an Eſſay of it, ſince I have mentioned a thing that is not mere Imagination only: I ſay therefore, if any Perſon ſtrike thoſe Sounds which the Muſicians diſtinguiſh by theſe Letters, C, F, D, G, C, by theſe agreeable Intervals, altogether perfect, interchangeable, aſcending and deſcending with the Voice: Now this latter ſound C will be one Comma, or very ſmall portion lower than the firſt ſounding of C. Becauſe of theſe perfect Intervals, which are as 4 to 3, 5 to 6, 4 to 3, 2 to 3, an account is made in ſuch a Proportion, as 160 to 162. that is, as 80 to 81, which is what they call a Comma. So that if the ſame Sound ſhould be repeated nine times, the Voice would fall near the Matter a greater Tone, whoſe proportion is as 8 to 9. But this the Senſe of the Ears by no means endures, but remembers the firſt Tone, and returns to it again. Therefore we are compell’d to uſe an occult Temperament, and to ſing theſe imperfect Intervals, from doing which leſs Offence ariſes. And for the moſt part, all Singing wants this Temperament, as may be collected by the aforeſaid Computations. And theſe things we have offer’d to thoſe that have ſome Knowledge in Geometry.