Wheeling compiler. [volume] (Wheeling, Va. [i.e. W. Va.]) 1829-1831, 1830-06-09
(No. A.

2ties of the SUMS light; undoubtedly II
hah others unknown to US. For example,
lin coming from the sun to us, it spreads
out into a fanlike form, in such manner
that ray foot in breadth covers several
acres when It caches our earth; but when
it comes TO us from Herschell it must
spread over many leagues Of the earth's
surface. The sun, to our vision, subtends
an angle of 30 minutes, whereas 10 the ~
habitants of Herschell he subtends an an
ole ofonly two minutes and half Hence
we must conclude that the Architect Of
nature has multiplied the atmospheres,
moons and double belts Of the planets, in
proportion to their distance from the sun,
and according as bis light is more feebly
felt than upon this earth; and that ne has
denied these agents to others which are
nearer. where his light is more powerfully
<. We may also co8c!gde that the pro-
ducGons Of Mercury and of Venus, which
are within the celestial tOrrId zone, ought
10 be more precious than those of the plan
cts in the temperate or glacial zones; as
the productions Of the Indies excel those
ofour zones without the tropics. think
hcnthatif we know so little about the sum-
It is attributable to the fact that We can
only observe him by the enleebled extrem-
tie, of the cones of his light; instead OF
which the inhabitants Of the sun, look upon
tie planets with the entire force OF his
rays. compare these rays to magnify
ing lenses, the planetary beings looking al
the sun through the part which removes
and diminishes objects; whilst those OF the
sun regard the planets through the Increa
sing aud approXimatlng medium. "How"
said TO the pilot, "do you believe the sun
to be inhabited" 1t is the opinion OF the
Frenchman, of whom | speak, replied he.
II appeared probable to him, that God, who
has made this star one of tue treasures OF
his benefactions, has also placed thereon
ministers of his bounty. lie thinks that
minds exist there Of such intelligence as
to comprehend the telegraphic language Of
The spheres, whereas our astronomers can
only comprehend their progressive and
revolving motions. He supposes these
minds or spirits are OF the nature OF light
sometimes, like it, invisible; and, enyelo
bed in its rays, that they visit terrestrial
beings whom they elevate and strengthen
with their sublime Inspirations AT other
tunes. visible at will, they stand confessed
clothed in the colors of the celestial bow.
Is II not from this star that man has drawn
/ his primary symbols of glory and oil rell-
gionl Wherefore should not God, who
| has made It a source Of so many blessings
have also placed there the recompense Of
virtue? Born upon this dark and gloomy
Globe. ignorant and imbecile, sc seldom
cast away the original feebleness OF our
souls but to plunge into lrghtlul errors oil
deviation from the paths Of natures Int 81
his star. whence flows the mighty streams
| ofight. which Pythagoras called the char
lot of souls. and Plato the veil Of the Di-
yirItv. what inefable wonders are invoiy-
edl
"You iii me with delight and admiTa-
ton" said | to the pilot, ''in defiance oil
the ignorance and the errors with when
NV cducation. in other respects tolera6le,
has fascinated my Judgment. In truth
did poteyactly believe Homer when ne SAID
that ,be Gun was deity mounted upon a
( car drawn by four horses, who' every even
inc. rocs 10 repose in the arms Of ie'nys
Nor did ] rive more credit to tho hIslon'
an Tsci,us, Who assures Us, IN MS trea'
flee on he Germans, that every evening II
/ the north Of Germany tho noise Of his ham
inn wheels is heard as they they plunge
into tine ocean. Since | have becnln Rus
s,o / have known that this cracking, which
Is heard IN The air, as well as the yarega
( ted flames which aaltate the heavens, dur
Ing the winter evening, are the effects o
the Aurora Borealis. / cannot, indeed
lcll precisely what this IS, and Why ih'
nothcrn lights exhibit many colors. whilst
according to the testimony Of Capt 10
gers, the Auroras Of the austral pole are
ONLY azure. In short, they taught me- u
the routine OF my studies. that the sun re-
volved about our globe. traversIng one
hundred and fifty leagues per dem aio
cited to me tie most respectable au'"Di'
ties, and the evidence of our eyes ID sup
port OF this opinion. But CoPeeTn'cu9 a''e
( Calico having, by other proofs. more l ~ y,'
dent, demonstrated that the earth and plan
cts turned about the sun, Newton Oe'''o
and though a little coniusedly, mace hio nv.
to US some Of the laws OF the a'Tsc' -
which this star exerts over me ceiesll-'
body. Some ofthe illustfous Swans pr,
tended that this Iuminoss globe was on'y
prodigious furnace. Other observers De
iieyed they could discover masses o. n1A1
| INC foam, some OF which were larger lhS
the ea.th. Some astronomers conciuoP'l