The Whig standard. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1843-1844, 1843-11-22

Are the Moon and the Stars Inhabited.-Dr.
Lardner, in one of his astronomical lectures in
Boston last week, reasons thus on the subject
We copy from the Mail:
The lecture commenced by saying when we
go out in clear night and behold the myriads of
glittering objects which decorate the armament,
the question naturally arises upon our lips, are
these beautiful worlds Inhabited by organized be-
ings like ourselves This is an interesting ques-
| tion to all rational and thinking minds. Now,
| said he, let us approach this matter with the
| spirit Of true philosophy, and enquiry. And in
the first place we can obtain no positive testimo-
| ny upon this subject. The power of the Teles-
cope does not furnish it. When placed at this in
strument, we are in sort OF dilemma: TWO things
are essential, magnitude and distinctness The
| more the telescope magni6es the less distinct
will the object appear. This is an inevitable
consequence. What is telescope power F.
| What does it accomplish Let us illustrate
this subject. We look at the moon, the nearest
object in the heavens, with glass which mag
mites thousand times, and what is the conse-
quencc! 1t is this 1t brings us within about
24O miles Of that globe, or it presents it to us as
though we viewed it with our natural organs Of
vision at that distance. Now what could we see
in the moon, if she were to leave her orbit, and
come within 240 miles of us? Could we see
any object upon her-an elephant or great build
ing! The answer is, no. An area of an acre
OF ground might appear as large as small coin,
but then of what avail would this be in determi-
ming whether it was inhabited or not.
The fixed stars are at such immense distances
from US that the most powerful telescope ever
yet invented by human genius can not magnify
them in the least degree. Failing then to OBJ
tain any positive and summary proof what are
we to do-give us the point and rest easy No.
Our kind and benevolent Creator has given us
minds to understand, hearts to love, and imagi-
nations to soar away into the trackless regions
of space
Positive proof then being out of the question
we must resort 10 crcumstantial and analogical
evidence. And as rational beings this will
be sufficient to satisfy u.s. This species Of proof
is quite as certain and conclusive upon rational
minds as positive testimony, as all know who
do the causes which fit the earth to be an inhab-
tied place equally prevail in the other planets
Answer-they do. Mercury, Venus, and Mars
have all the arrangements essential to the well
being of organized life which the earth has.
They move in circular paths about the sun
have about the same revolution on their own
axes, atmosphere, clouds, and consequently wa
ter-changes OF season-same current Of air
| round the equator, and near the poles-in fact
all the physical arrangements essential to the
well being, and even luxuries of organized be-
ings, which the earth has In view of all the
imposing array Of facts and analogies can we,
possessing rational minds, for moment doubt
that these globes are teeming with organized
life! Surely not We must be satisfied with
these reasonings and the conclusions drawn from
them.