Mississippi Democrat. (Carrollton, Miss.) 1844-18??, 1845-02-05
MiarFIIaMp.
DR.. LARDNER's LECTURES.
THE PLURALITY OF WORLDS.


On Wednesday evening, Calvert Hall
again presented select company of la
dies and gentlemen, capable of dscrimin-
ating between the meretricious and the
real, and wisely choosing to improve the
brief opportunity for instruction and a
greeable amusement, which the lectures OF
this accomplished and learned philosopher
now offer to our citizens. DR.. Lardner
commenced with some appropriate obser-
vations on the Divine purposes in the Gre
alton of our system, and then directed at
tentlon to the means of information with
regard to 1t which we possess. He spoke
c the telescope as the chief aid in all as.
onomical inquiries; but too much had
cen expected from this instrument, and
consequently disappointment had been the
result. Unfortunately, just in the same
proportion that we endeavor to gain in
one particular by its use, do we lose in
another, for as soon as we increase its
power beyond certain extent, do we in
evitably diminish its efficiency TO pre-
sent the object distinctly. The greatest
power, therefore, that can be practically
obtained from the best instrument, is 1000
that is, the means of bringing any obiec
one thousand times nearer than it really is
Now, if we apply this power to the moon
we shall at once discover how little we
have to expect from its use. The moor
we know is distant from the earth $40,
600 miles, and by the aid of the telescope
we are enabled to bring it 1000 time
nearer, or within 240 miles. Thus W,
see the moon under exactly the same cir
cumstances, that we should, could we looI
with the naked eye upon any object a
the distance of $40 miles, with the ex
ception that the eye observes with NOR
distinctness, for that was made by NOR
skiIful hand. But what could we distin
guish by the eye at tina. distance? A man
No. A horse? No. An elephant? No. a cit
even two miles in diameter would, if dis
cernible at all, be but an indistinguishabI
speck upon the surface. We at once SEE
therefore, the hopelessness of the tele
scope, as a means of affording us any in
formation as TO the character of the moo
from actual observation, and how muc
less have we to expect from the sam
source when directed TO the planets. w
must content ourselves, accordingly, viii
b, such circumstantial evidence as we fri
accessible. The solar system, | ned
scarcely say TO you, is composed of nun
Der OF planetary or5s, revolving round tn
sun. With one of these we are perfec
ly acquainted, and our present inquiry /
shall we be able to acquire any knowIedg
OF the purpose designated by the make
Of the earth for others. If we find tn;
the peculiar globe which we inhabit hi
been provided with certain qualities adaI
TED to express purposes, and that the san
provisions have been made, down 10 tn
!elho'est particular in all the globes witt
IN our system, the sun and moon excepte
we must infer that it is for the same pu
poses The conclusion then will deper
on the closeness of the analogy. Lei
then consider the provisions with regard
the earth; in doing this we must careful
draw distinction between known nrone
ties of matter and those which are inn,
diately contributed by the hand of Il
Creator. There are two prominent pri
ciples to be considered, first, light and he,
We find that they are impaired TO us wi
degree of uniformity that is never
ierrupted by the extreme of either. orb
such an extreme as would be incompa
bic with the well being of the creatur
who lnhabil the earth with US. By 1