will at the same time persuade us that the doctrine of the astronomer is founded in truth. But we shall at last be convinced that the earth itself, though 264,856 millions of cubic miles in bulk, is a mere point in creation : and it will excite our admiration that man should have been able to comprehend even in part, that which, as a whole is utterly beyond his comprehension.

The object to which we now point our aim, is the attainment of such a view of Astronomy as may comprehend its great, leading truths; which will suffice to convince us that the science is a system of the utmost beauty and harmony.

During the long progressive developement of this science, it has, owing to its peculiar nature, been loaded with terms, very numerous, and highly expressive; but tending, unfortunately, to throw in the way of the learner almost unconquerable obstructions. In fact a

knowledge of the terms of Astronomy would include a knowledge of the science itself. I shall endeavour to avoid them as much as possible, and to express myself in the most simple and familiar language. For as utility is my object, I would rather omit what cannot readily be divested of the greater part of these numerous terms, than run the hazard of not being understood; even though, on the other hand, the intention of being understood by every one may lead into repetition, and into the use of language more diffuse and circuitous than is desirable. But if this be compensated by more intelligible description, we shall lose nothing by the exchange; more especially since it is not proposed to elucidate the abstruse points of the science. These indeed belong more properly to the student; and if in private they require an attention sufficiently ardent and

painful, they could not fail to be too minute and too tedious for public explanation. By what has already been said it will clearly appear that the view now pro posed to be taken of the science of Astronomy, can have no charms for those who have already given attention to it.

If there be any thing belonging to Astronomy of which we might regret the existence, it is this,-that it consists of a multitude of phenomena too large for our comprehension in the aggregate, too intricate for common observation in their detail. If we consult only what seems to pass before our eyes day by day, and year after year, we shall be led to the conclusion that the sun moves round the earth once every 24 hours, because it seems to us to rise in the east, and to set in the west; that, because we feel his influence most in summer and least in winter, he is nearest to us in summer and furthest off in winter. But if we consult the astronomer, we shall find that our eyes and our feelings deceive us in these respects.-The planets appear and disappear; are we not thence led to conclude that they change their stations? But which of us has examined these objects with sufficient attention even to raise the suspicion that they move around the sun? The whole science is replete with difficulties. If we believe our sight, we cannot believe the astronomer; for, in regard to the motions of the heavenly bodies, it may be said that that which appears to our sight rarely is true, while that which is true cannot be discovered without long observation;-the apparent motions and the real motions are greatly at variance, the cause of which will become intelligible as we proceed. If we cannot resolve to give credit to assertions which astonish by their mag

nitude, and at first perplex us by denying that to be true for which we have the testimony of our own eyes, we shall do well at once to shut our ears, and to refuse our attention. But the astronomer asks no gratuitous assent; he demonstrates. The observations of multitudes in all ages, have been confirmed by calling in aid of their illustration, geometry, trigonometry-in a word, many of the higher branches of the mathematics; for without their aid, the astronomer might have speculated and asserted, but he could have produced no confirmation. But now, he has a right to demand the most implicit consent, because all his observations are corroborated by the most rigid mathematical investigation. Astronomy therefore may truly be said to be the most perfect of all the sciences.

To ascertain the apparent motions of the heavenly bodies was a difficult task, and required the united observation of ages. To unravel these intricate mazes, and to detect and demonstrate the real motions, demanded the most patient perseverance, judgment, and dexterity. To ascertain the laws of these motions, and to revolve them into one general fact, required the exertions of a sagacity scarcely to be expected in human nature. Yet all this has been accomplished; and even the most minute movement of the heavenly bodies has been shewn to depend upon the same general law with all the rest, and even to be a consequence of that law. But I shall not attempt in any degree to follow the mathematician in these illustrations. It would be subversive of the simplicity at which I aim. We have to do with the result,-the end,-not the means.

We, therefore, shall direct our attention to the sublime truths resulting from observations made at different

periods, and confirmed by the discoveries and calculations of the most acute observers and ablest mathematicians of the last three centuries: but let us not imagine that observation has been confined to that period, for it needs not much argument to convince us that astronomy must have demanded the earliest attention of mankind. The periodical return of day and night,—of the sun and moon, and the revolutions of the seasons, must have been depended upon, and perhaps even in some sort calculated, in the time of our first parent; for in his age men became cultivators of the earth.

It may prove instructive shortly to trace the progress of this science, which has received the attention of most nations. It was in the beginning declared that the celestial bodies were to be for signs and for seasons.' Josephus who wrote in the first century of the Christian era, attributes to Seth and his posterity an extensive knowledge of astronomy, and he insinuates that the antediluvians were long-lived for the very purpose of bestowing on them the sciences of geometry and astronomy. Astronomy, he says, could not be learned in less than 600 years, for that period is the grand year, By this term, he is supposed to refer to a particular relative situation of the sun, moon and earth towards each other, which can happen only once in that period, and which, it has been observed, brings out results agreeing within one second of what is determined by modern astronomy. If the grand year of Josephus referred to this curious fact, it proves that the ancients must have held a most accurate acquaintance with the motions of the heavenly bodies.

The Chinese pretend that their nation studied astronomy soon after the flood; and it is said that they shew

the records of eclipses which happened nearly 600 years before the Christian era; but some of these have been proved to be incorrect.

The Bramins pretend that their astronomical knowledge was founded on a particular situation of the sun and moon in regard to each other, 3102 years before our era, (nearly 5000 years ago,) and at a time when the existing astronomical tables shew that this actually happened. It is said by Bailly that their knowledge of astronomy is very correct in respect of some of the more intricate parts of the science.

That the Mexicans held acquaintance with it is proved by what Clavigero asserts in his history of that people. They found that neither 365 nor 366 days exactly constituted the solar year, but that it consisted of a period somewhat short of the completion of the 366th day. In order to make up the precise quantum of time, we give 29 days to February every fourth year, as we shall hereafter notice more at large; but the Mexicans interposed 13 days every 52 years, which amounts to the same thing.

The Chaldeans began very early; for we are told that when Alexander the Great took Babylon, Callisthenes, by his order, inquired after the astronomical observations recorded in the city, and obtained them for 1903 years back. It is asserted that they were acquainted with certain peculiarities in the moon's motion, and that they materially assisted in arranging the stars into constellations.

The Egyptians also were learned in this science; but there is no record by which to judge of the time they began, or the progress they made. It is remarkable that the pyramids, which were built antecedent to any