Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1843-03-24

does exist; in which case the consequent theo-
ry in respect to universal gravity follows almost
of course, and consequently the ga proof
which Mr. Vince in his system of universal as
tronomy says that Sir Isaac Newton gave DR..
Haley in respect 10 the latc OF gravity, is no
proof at all.
| will demonstrate that the law OF gravity, as
given by Newton, is wholly incompatible with
the famous law of Kepler which have suggest
ed, which dictates that The squares Of The PERI
DDS of The planets are as The cubes of their
mean distances from The sun, and that ir one
be true the other cannot. | will demonstrate
the fact, that if twice the motion of planet
requires quadrupe the force to retain it in its
orbit Ga fact generally assented to, and which
cannot be true if Keplers law is not true) the
Newtonian theory Of gravity Is not true; and
propose to show that the adoption Of the
Newtonian theory of gravity has reduced al
most the whole science of astronomy TO that of
exploring for equations whereby to reconcile
the eternal truths of nature, based upon immu-
table laws, with human error.
In addition to actual demonstration, propose
to present, as auxiliary thereto, the whole phe-
nomcna of Nature, as far as facts have been
nscertained, as corroboratve or presumpiive
evidence, in which the presumption will be
found too violent to be resisted. | shall refer
to what is termed by astronomers the differ
ent denSiiies of the planets, as asceriained by
the force exercised by planet upon its sate
litc-to the theory OF the tides, which has so
taxed the ingenuity of Newton, Bernou, La
Place, and others, and accounting for which is
yet as unsatisfactory to one who will examine
the various methods of accounting as any the
DRY extant in the days of Aristotle must have
been to Aristotle himself
will refer to the motion of the moons apo
gee, which, 10 reconcile with the Newtonian
theory Of gravity, so much perplexed the great
contemporary mathematicians, Clairaut and
Euler, insomuch that they both, more than
half century after the law of gravity was pro-
mulgated by Newton, protesting against its
correctness, as not accounting for so prominent
a fact or phenomenon, which must of necessity
depend upon the law of gravity, until Clairaut,
by one of the strangest devices conceivable,
brought himself TO consent 10 the correctness
of the law as laid down by Newton; and Eu-
Ter, upon the authority of Clairaut, Gas be him
self declares consented also to the correctness
Of the Newtonian theory.
| will also refer Though not as violent pre-
SYMPHONY TO DR.. Bradley's theory of the pro-
gressive motion Of light in time; an hypothesis
connected with, or based upon, observed facts
and phenomena in way and manner that is
absolutely ludicrous; for had DR.. Bradley, or
those who succeeded him, been careful TO ex-
anime the premises, tney would nave discover
ed that the facts and observed phenomena pro-
we'd directly the reverse OF the hypothesis by
them deduced from the facts.
But will not enlarge, it being my design in
this article briefly TO suggest my purpose of
publishing a work which now have ready for
the press, together with my convictions that
the science of astronomy in particular is based
upon two great and fundamental errors; and
that the constant, the arduous attempts and
struggles TO reconcile truth with error have
carried what is called the science of astronomy
10 such bewildered height, that but few, ifI
any, can well discover or describe lis beauty,
its harmony, or comeIiness; and hence one OBJ
ect which have, in addition to or in connec-
lion with that of promulgatng the truth, is to
bring il more within the capacities OF mankind
in general-believng that truth (even scien-
tific truth) may be so far smplified as to be
brought more within the capacities and under
standing ofboth the learned and unearned than
much of it is at present; and, were TO be sent
in search of truth, should as soon look for il
at the bottom Of well as in those hypotheti-
cal and bewildered regions of fancy TO which
mankind are SO often directed when in search
of il. AUGUSTUS YOUNG.
Washington, Feb. 90.