Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1844-08-22
For the Spectator.
THEORY RESPECTING COMETS IN THE
chr ID SVcrCM
SOLAR SYSTEM.


In order to understand the design and use OF
Comets, It is necessary to understand some OF the
known laws by which the God of nature governs
the material part Of the world Of nature.
| Every astronomer knows tile sun is the centre
OF the solar system, and all the planets move a
round the sun in their respective orbits. We
will confine our observations to our earth, which,
is one of the planets. This earth moves round
the sun once every year. In order tliat she may
keep in her orbit with perfect exactness, il is es-
sentially necessary that the velocity with which
she moves In her orbit, and the quantum Of mat.
ter contained in the earth, including the atmos.
phere, with which she is surrounded, be proper
| toned to the quantum of matter I'm the sun, and
that her distance from the sun be well propof-
toned. This being the case, il The earth should
increase In her quantum Of matter, unless the sun
should also increase in his quantum Of matter, in
ms due proportion, the earth would fly off out OF
her orbit and bring destruction ON the whole sys-
ten'' unless new orbit should be adjusted. But
should the earth neither increase nor diminish In
her quanum OF matter, and the sun should di-
mlnlsh In his quantum OF matter, the same result
as that just mentioned would follow. This re-
presentation will be admitted as true By all sound
philosophers. 1t follows OF course that the sum
and earth must preserve their wei! Balanced pro.
portion of matter, TO perpetuate the repular motion
OF the earth IN her orbit. This is the first prin-
cipie lay down in my theory. The second prn-
ciPie is there is a well known and wonderful
analogy In various departments of Gods creations
with respect to the circulation OF matter, In order
to preserve health in living matter and salubri-
Gus state In inanmate matter, for the comfort of
man and beast. Toprove the truth Of this asset
uon' VIII select two or three inotai:ces out of
many that might be adduced. First, the circula-
ZION oil the blood In human bodies is GENERALLY
known to be fact. In order TO preserve life and
health, the blood, which is called the life, pro.
ceeds from The heart, and is conducted by arterieS
and veins to every part Of the system, to nourish
III and then is returned again to the heart by
means as wonderful as comets themselves. This
is one Instance second Is the circulation of
water All the waters that refresh our earth and
form our springs, come from the sea, by evapora.
ZION II is elevated into the atmosphere, and iri
clouds borne around by the winds to various parts
OF the earth' and let down in showers or RAIN
which replenlsh our springs. These springs
foim rivuets, and the rvulets uniting form rivers;
and the rivers all into the sea asain and tbia
goes ON continually third instance may be
found in our atmosphere. There is constant
clrcui alton in the atmosphere; if it were not sol
The AR would by stagnation become pu,td, like
stagnated water, and be fatal to the life of man
and beast, instead Of preserving life. / might
mention several other instances, in which tho
analogy holds good, but these are sufficient. On
these two principles bnild my theory.
Now, 1t is a well known fact, that light and
calorc are both matter and have weight. These
PARTICLES OF real matter are constantly coming
from The sun to our earth and other planets. AS
they are constantly leaving the Gun, the sun is
deprived of SO much Of his quantum of matter!
and what comes from the sun to our earth. adds
TO the original quan,um of matter in our earth;
and according to the first principle laid down;
the earth would fly Off from her orbit and pfodtce
general destruction throughout the solar system;
unless the sun be replenished fast as it is di-
minished; just as the sea is replenshed By The
returning waters in the rivers, as fas. as the wa
tiers leave the sea by evaporation. According to
this general analogy in the natural world, infer;
The particles of light and caloric, or heat after
eflectihg on earth all God designed by them, they
return again to the sun. to keep up his due propor-
ton OF matter, TO preserve proper balance in the
system, just as the blood lie returned TO the heart
and the waters to the sea- What provision has
God made by which to return to the sun the light
and heat he sends out TO benefit our earth can
think of none SO probable The comets, They
are numerous-many more than we have ever
seen. They move in very elpical orbits coma
Ing very near the sun, at which time they disc
charge their contents and then go out through
boundless space amongst the planets, and gath
er fresh supply for the same purpose; and
thus carry the circulation of light and caloric;
according to the analogy found in blood, air and
water, well as in many other things in NATURE:
VIM. On;