Spirit of the age. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1849-1865, 1855-04-04
FOR THE SPIRIT OF THE AGE,
Wisdom, Design, and Adaptation seen
in Nature.

ESSAY NO. 2.-DEDIcATED TO MISS JOS, AxLEy.
One of the most obvious properties of
heat is, that it always tends towards an
equilibrium. You may place Thermom-
eter to piece of flannel or fur, and piece
OF iron IN the same room, and each will in
dlcate the same temperature. But if YOU
take hold of the fur with one hand and of
the iron with the other, the iron will feel
cold while the fur will be warm There will
be very perceivable difference in their
affection of the hands. This is owing to
the fact that iron will conduct the heat away
while the fur or flannel will not From
this. and other considerations, not necessary
to mention, there is no just reasons for sup
posing that Mercury may not be as cool.
and Herschel as warm as our globe. An
other important fact that should be noticed
is, the power Of the human body to resist
both heat and cold. Sir Joseph Banks and
Sir Charles Blagden, found that they could
endure the temperature Of room raised to
264 degrees, that is So degrees hotter than
boiling water. They found that their hands
could not endure the heat of their watch
chains, but their breasts were cod, and the
temperature of their bodies was not elevated
above 80 degrees, which is she temperature
OF the human system. In this room egos
and beef steak were we'll cooked in twenty
minutes.
In looking at the planet Saturn in refer
enee to this subject, we have the most sin.
gular example of design and adaptation.
The Telescope appearance of this planet is
unparalleled. 1t is distinguished by its
magnificent zone or double ring encireling
it with perpetual light. The light of the
rings is more brilliant than the planet itself.
The distance between Saturn and its inner
ring is 1000 miles The dark band be,
tween the rings is 5000 miles, The breadth
Of the inner ring is 10000 miles. These
rings cause the whole hemisphere or concave
vault to be one broad girdle of light. Now
II these rings serve no other purpose, they
must enlighten and beautify the globe to
which they are attached. Can we picture
to our imagination what magnificent spec.
tacle these rings must present to the inhab-
itants of Saturn? During summer, which
is 10 years long, the appearance of this
brilliant arch must be truly grand and i'm.
posing. No planet in the solar system pre-
sents so much beauty of armament as Saturn
The various aspects of its s moons is inter
esting. One rising above the horizon while
another is setting, third approaching to the
meridian. One entering on an eclipse while
another is emerging from one; one appear
ing crescent while another has a gibbous
phase; and sometimes the whole of them
are shining in some hemisphere in one brigh
assemblage together with the rings. The
majestic motion of the rings, at one time
Illuminating the sky with their splendor anc
echpslng the stars, at another castinga deer
shade over certain regions of the planet anc
unfolding the wonders of the starry Grma
ment, these are scenes worthy the Divin,
Mind to unfold and rational creatures t,
contemplate. The planets, like our earth
nave their seasons of spring, summer, au
tumn, and winter, which are as necessary t.
their inhabitants as our seasons are to us.
In all these arrangements we observ
proofs otthe 'Oisdom. design adaptation, car
and goodness of the Divine Creator Of al
things. And can man whose mind i
daily conversant with the expansive object
to which have adverted, engage in pursuit
OF ambition. tyranny, oppression, war am
devastation I Would be rush, like mad
man, through burning cities and mangle
careasses of the slain, to enjoy proud pre
emlnence over bis fellow man. and fin