Edwardsville spectator. [volume] (Edwardsville, Ill.) 1819-1826, 1826-03-11

tator; and, with other things, have found
that the SPEoULAToR has favored US with
some strange things; or, rather, an ac-
count OF things, on what he calls the
Newionlan plan of Astronomy and has
promised to prove certain facts. | must
confess that if they can be proven to de-
monstraiou, it may contribute something
Of uncommon advantage to the inhabit-
ants OF this world; for | think | may
say, il he will bring the evidence, some
of us can find somebody that will make
some great use of it. | wish very much
to learn something about the great and
wonderful subject: and if you, Messrs.
Editors, will give your consent, | will
ask him some questions, through the
Spectator. But lest you should think me
impairment for presuming to speak on
such subject deem it my duty to give
you my reasons:
Do you not believe every paper is de-
signed 10 be public benefit This corr
responds with my views. Secondly. Do
YOU not think, that when we do not hear
or understand distinctly, it is our privi-
lege to gain the proposed information by
asking some questions So do |. then
proceed.
Mr.. SPECTATOR,
SlR--I am SO far from wishing you to
cease thinking IN the best way, that |
wish you TO think again, and tell Us some
thing more, of the plan you have begun
to investigate but after all, should you,
in order to keep that capacious mind
(Which "scorns con6nement") in exer-
else, want proper subjects for its amuse-
ment, in order to keep you from build
ing any more ideal worlds, | will con-
tribute TO your employment, by asking
you few questions some for explana-
ton, and some to help you out at the
other end OF It..
First, then, with regard to the human
mind-does every one of those beings,
who have arrived TO adult age, called
men and women,possess human mind
II so, on your plan, how is it tina, some
of our neighbors (who have the shape Of
men) are so extremely ignorant that they
have hardly thought Of any thing that is
out Of doors, or rather out of sight q
How is it that so many delight to clog
their minds, by destroying their senses
with intoxicating fire serving their minds
like the feet of the Chinese women 3
that is, put Them in iron shoes, to keep
them from growing. How comes 1t, that
so many philosophers, of ancient and
modem date, confine their faith to ocu.
lar DEMONSTRATION appearing to take
delight in quite the reverse Of your views
of the human mind. Please, sir, tell me
the meaning of s,hat expression "the
mind scorns confinement" Am l to
understand it thus that the mind scorns
its abode in the body II so, how comes
it that so many are unwilling to part with
it3 Or am to understand that it scorns
confinement to any subject that is so
greatly to its present and future advan-
tage; or that it dislikes to ponder on
objects which are familiar! II either of
these, why are so many engaged after
the spiritual and temporal happiness OF
their neighbors, for time and eternity {
For I must acknowledge, with great
and useful man, that cannot wade thro'
your speculations in this place. must
search for another fording place.
VERY much desire to know who you
meant by the =" Great Unknozon," as
writing fashionable Novel. Do you
mean some great man, you never heard
or thought Of? Would not this be non-
sense as you could not with safety say
he ever lived or if he did, that he ever
wrote any thing. Or, do you mean by
the "Great Unknown" to convey the
iuea Of Deity If so, St. Paul declared
him 10 the Athenians of course, is not
your name wrong one? Admitting it
is not, do you mean TO convey the idea
of Gods writing " fashionable" feign-
ed story or tale If this is what you
mean, does not this charge him W h fol-
~? by saying that he does it to CRAFTY
your wonderful towering disposition !?
Would il not be best to think twice be-
fore speaking! l really wish for the de-
sired answers.
With your six points Of resort, called
the Copernican or Newtonian plan OF the
Universe, against which have naught
to say, but shall take it for granted, thai,
in that we are taught to believe the sun
to be great body OF FIRE; however, great
men say so. But unless you have found
some new light on the force and power
of analogical reasoning, must yet ,rou-
Bile you with a few Of my questions.
ANALOGY signifies resemblance, pro-
portion, similarity Of one thing to anoth-
err Says Mr.. Campbell, the noted
Scotch philosopher, % the subject OF