Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1845-01-22

wlnoows OF heaven were stopped, and TIE
rain from heaven was restrained .
We have but to refute this theory with
the fact that comet could not remain
long enough IN the vicinity Of the earth
TO produce tide at all. and this IS not n
mere theory but a matter Of conclusive
demonstration.
We have now an interesting question
presented to us. If such a swarm Of
comets are moving in our system, may not
one of them by possibility strike the
earthg 1t may. What then arc the chan
ces? La Place has calculated thsse chan
ces, and in his calculation has assumed
the greatest conceivable number. By
his calculation he estimates the chances
at PSI, 100000 to /. In other words,
when The next comet makes lis appear
ance, you may safely bet against The con-
tingency of its striking the earth, or i
would be an equal bet Of S2Sl, 00O,0 900
to 81.
A discovery has recently been made of
the most interesting character, viewed in
its moral and religious influences Obser-
vations have been made with regard 10
two of the comets Eucke's and Boilers
peculiarly suited 10 the purpose, which
have thrown new light upon the nature
of that space which lies beyond the at
mosphere of our planet. Untd these dis
coveries, it had been generally supposed
that this space was a perfect vacuum
Now the comets we have are, compared
with the fluid called ether, infinitely VIOLA
tile and light, aud have thus proved in the
existence OF medium while the planets
have not betrayed it. Now we know that
if cannon ball and a piece of swans
down were allowed 20 fall from the dome
of this house into the pit, the cannon ball
would rush 10 the ground with rssistless
velocity, while the swansdown would fall
with very uncertain motion and occupy
considerable time in reaching the
ground. But mark the diference--if VIC
could produce c perfect and absolute Va
cuum, one would fall with precisely the
same r6pidity of the other, aud degree
of force acquired only from the abstract
effect Of the law Of gravitatiou. Now
what the cannon ball IS to the swansdown,
the planet is TO the comet.
The motion oi the comet has proved
conclusisely and beyond all doubt, the ex-
istence of resisting medium IN the 6esaa
OF space. This resistance is exceedingly
small in its application to the planets, buI
distinctly perceptible in its effect on the
comets; we know, however, now beyond
controversy, that this medium must effect
the planets, and retarding their motion 70
certain extent must be constantly am
gradually urging them, pressing them in
ward in their orbit nearer to the sun -
Thus we find that the common stamp Of
dissolution is upon all created things, and
that it is a final result from which even
systems, themselves have no exemption
1t is fact that the earth, with all the plan
cts. revolving with it around the sun, have
a coalmon destiny; they must all il the
process of time rush into the sun. The
term of human life and of the existence oil
cur system, have each their prescribed
limits; the only difference is that the close
of the one is more remote than that Of the
other. Igive this only as an estroaomi-
cal fact, but an undeniable one. 1t Is mol
my province 10 enlarge upon lis moral
and religious influence leave that 10 is
more appropriate association with the du-
ties and Tabors of the sacred desk, and the
exercises of the divine ambassadors O.
God upon earth.