登陆注册
5363200000117

第117章

These additions certainly afford us a new epoch in the annals of the solar system, and of astronomy itself. It is somewhat remarkable, that Herschel, who in the course of his observations traced certain nebulae, the light from which must have been two millions of years in reaching the earth, should never have remarked these planets, which, so to speak, lay at his feet. It reminds one of Esop's astrologer, who, to the amusement of his ignorant countrymen, while he was wholly occupied in surveying the heavens, suddenly found himself plunged in a pit. These new planets also we are told are fragments of a larger planet: how came this larger planet never to have been discovered?

Till Herschel's time we were content with six planets and the sun, making up the cabalistical number seven. He added another.

But these four new ones entirely derange the scheme. The astronomers have not yet had opportunity to digest them into their places, and form new worlds of them. This is all unpleasant. They are, it seems, "fragments of a larger planet, which had by some unknown cause been broken to pieces." They therefore are probably not inhabited. How does this correspond with the goodness of God, which will suffer no mass of matter in his creation to remain unoccupied? Herschel talks at his ease of whole systems, suns with all their attendant planets, being consigned to destruction. But here we have a catastrophe happening before our eyes, and cannot avoid being shocked by it.

"God does nothing in vain." For which of his lofty purposes has this planet been broken to pieces, and its fragments left to deform the system of which we are inhabitants; at least to humble the pride of man, and laugh to scorn his presumption? Still they perform their revolutions, and obey the projectile and gravitating forces, which have induced us to people ten thousand times ten thousand worlds. It is time, that we should learn modesty, to revere in silence the great cause to which the universe is indebted for its magnificence, its beauty and harmony, and to acknowledge that we do not possess the key that should unlock the mysteries of creation.

One of the most important lessons that can be impressed on the human mind, is that of self-knowledge and a just apprehension of what it is that we are competent to achieve. We can do much. We are capable of much knowledge and much virtue. We have patience, perseverance and subtlety. We can put forth considerable energies, and nerve ourselves to resist great obstacles and much suffering. Our ingenuity is various and considerable. We can form machines, and erect mighty structures. The invention of man for the ease of human life, and for procuring it a multitude of pleasures and accommodations, is truly astonishing. We can dissect the human frame, and anatomise the mind. We can study the scene of our social existence, and make extraordinary improvements in the administration of justice, and in securing to ourselves that germ of all our noblest virtues, civil and political liberty. We can study the earth, its strata, its soil, its animals, and its productions, "from the cedar that is in Lebanon, to the hyssop that springeth out of the wall."

But man is not omnipotent. If he aspires to be worthy of honour, it is necessary that he should compute his powers, and what it is they are competent to achieve. The globe of earth, with "all that is therein," is our estate and our empire. Let us be content with that which we have. It were a pitiful thing to see so noble a creature struggling in a field, where it is impossible for him to distinguish himself, or to effect any thing real.

There is no situation in which any one can appear more little and ludicrous, than when he engages in vain essays, and seeks to accomplish that, which a moment's sober thought would teach him was utterly hopeless.

Even astronomy is to a certain degree our own. We can measure the course of the sun, and the orbits of the planets. We can calculate eclipses. We can number the stars, assign to them their places, and form them into what we call constellations.

But, when we pretend to measure millions of miles in the heavens, and to make ourselves acquainted with the inhabitants of ten thousand times ten thousand worlds and the accommodations which the creator has provided for their comfort and felicity, we probably engage in something more fruitless and idle, than the pigmy who should undertake to bend the bow of Ulysses, or strut and perform the office of a warrior clad in the armour of Achilles.

How beautiful is the "firmament; this majestical roof fretted with golden fire!" Let us beware how we mar the magnificent scene with our interpolations and commentaries! Simplicity is of the essence of the truly great. Let us look at the operations of that mighty power from which we ourselves derive our existence, with humility and reverential awe! It may well become us. Let us not "presume into the heaven of heavens," unbidden, unauthorised guests! Let us adopt the counsel of the apostle, and allow no man to "spoil us through vain philosophy." The business of human life is serious; the useful investigations in which we may engage are multiplied. It is excellent to see a rational being conscious of his genuine province, and not idly wasting powers adapted for the noblest uses in unmeasured essays and ill-concocted attempts.

同类推荐
  • 广右战功

    广右战功

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 许氏医案

    许氏医案

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 道安法师念佛赞文

    道安法师念佛赞文

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 积聚门

    积聚门

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 大智度论

    大智度论

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
热门推荐
  • 书鲍忠壮公轶事

    书鲍忠壮公轶事

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 俞总的妻子很傲娇

    俞总的妻子很傲娇

    “你好,我是宋清南,南北的南。”“你好,我是俞燕北,南北的北。”宋清南,俞燕北。一遍又一遍,心心念念。
  • 豪门情债:绝情老公追逃妻

    豪门情债:绝情老公追逃妻

    皇甫信皓突然出现在韶曼薇的面前,第一件事就是要韶家一无所有,为二十年前的一切做出补偿。他却在最后手软,心疼她,爱上她,悄然的付出了他的心。韶曼薇接二连三的接受打击,原以为他是自己可以躲避的港湾,却没发现她是亲手毁了自己幸福的男人。她要让他难过,伤心,一步步的摧毁他仅存的感情,他才是一无所有的人。"
  • 继母养儿手札

    继母养儿手札

    袁璐在现代被继母间接害死,一朝穿越,成了别人的继室帮着养娃,一养还就是仨!高斐从战场上回来的时候,发现他两个儿子都只要娘不要爹了,他老娘因为皇后赏了妾,要去跪宫门了。他在家吃饭想加个菜,下人还说要问问夫人。这日子没法过!【情节虚构,请勿模仿】
  • 庐隐作品集(三)(中国现代文学名家作品集)

    庐隐作品集(三)(中国现代文学名家作品集)

    北方的天气真冷,现在虽是初春的时序,然而寒风吹到脸上,仍是尖利如割,十二点多钟,火车蜿蜒的进了前门的站台,我们从长方式的甬道里出来,看见马路两旁还有许多积雪,虽然已被黄黑色的尘土点污了,而在淡阳的光浑下,几自闪烁着白光。屋脊上的残雪薄冰,已经被日光晒化了,一滴一滴的往下淌水。背阴的墙角下,偶尔还挂着几条冰箸,西北风抖峭的吹着。我们雇了一辆马车坐上,把车窗闭得紧紧的,立刻觉得暖过气来。马展开它的铁蹄,向前途驰去,但是土道上满是泥泞,所以车轮很迟慢的转动着。街上的一切很逼真的打入我们的眼帘
  • 何处梧桐可栖皇

    何处梧桐可栖皇

    新书已发《彼岸卿顾》,这次发在起点女生网,欢乐仙侠~求投资收藏~凤凰者,非梧桐不栖,非练实不食,非醴泉不饮。吾,生而高贵。凤皇者,却国破、家亡、一身傲骨生生被敲碎,低入尘埃。慕容衡:“这天下,江山如画,锦绣似嫁,然而那流年逝水,终是倾负了韶华”
  • 好故事金道理

    好故事金道理

    每天花上一分钟读一个小故事,在这些故事的照耀下,你的人生将与众不同:你的忧伤将变为沉醉的美酒,人生的黑暗将会变为黎明的曙光,没有意义的人生之旅也将变得轻松、快乐……正是这些故事丰富了你的生命历程,正是这些哲理启迪了你做人做事的智慧!乐观、豁达、智慧的人生应该是快乐的,简单而积极的,有些人的心灵被欲望、消极、忧伤的灰尘蒙蔽得太久,看不到蓝色的天空。如果你想不断地修炼自我、追求卓越的品质,如果你愿意重新丰富自己的思想,如果你渴望提高生活的质量,如果……那就翻开《好故事金道理》,在闲暇时细细品味其中的甘甜,在苦闷彷徨时思考心灵的方向。
  • 无法停留的我们

    无法停留的我们

    外表高冷但其实很孩子气的顾凌恒与叛逆但很仗义的叶柔嘉在朋友的介绍下于高中时期相知相爱,在面临高考所带来的重重压力,爱情与个人前途命运的艰难抉择中,两人最终只将甜蜜留在了青春美好的高中时期。
  • 大宋将门

    大宋将门

    没有杨柳岸晓风残月,没有把酒问青天,没有清明上河图……一个倒霉的写手,猛然发现,自己好像来到了假的大宋……家道中落,人情薄如纸。外有大辽雄兵,内有无数猪队友,滔滔黄河,老天爷也来添乱……再多的困难,也不过一只只纸老虎,遇到困难,铁棒横扫,困难加大,铁棒加粗!赫赫将门,终有再兴之时!—————————————————————读者群:284427642(恭候大驾光临)
  • 巨星来了

    巨星来了

    今天媳妇让我看《大魔王又出手了》,我说不好看,当时她就跟我吵了起来。后来我就想:我一个大男人,为什么要和一个女人计较,更何况还是自己的媳妇!我当时就道歉了,表示会继续看《大魔王又出手了》。道完歉,媳妇很高兴,她手里的菜刀放下了,她妹妹抓着我头发的手松开了,她哥手里的砖头放下了,她弟弟手里的铁楸也放下了,丈母娘手里的擀面杖也扔了,老丈人拿出手机:“棺材还是退了吧。”**新书《大魔王又出手了》已开。