satisfactory reasoning, we cannot enter, but must refer the reader to the work itself; and we are quite sure that no candid mind can resist the conclusion to which he comes, that, whatever may be the scientific merits of this hypothesis, they cannot, in sound reason, affect at all the view of the universe as the work of a wise and great Creator. "Let it be supposed," observes he in conclusion, “that the point to which this hypothesis leads us, is the ultimate point of physical science; that the farthest glimpse we can obtain of the material universe by our natural faculties, shows it to be occupied by a boundless abyss of luminous matter; still, we ask, how space came to be thus occupied,—how matter came to be thus luminous? If we establish, by physical proofs, that the first fact which can be traced in the history of the world is, that there was light,' we shall still be led, even by our natural reason, to suppose that, before this could occur, God said, let there be light.""

FOURTH WEEK-FRIDAY.

XII. THE STARRY HEAVENS.-BINARY STARS.

THERE is yet another singular phenomenon in the starry heavens, which shall form the subject of this day's consideration,—I allude to the curious fact of the existence of binary revolving stars. These are very numerous. Sir William Herschel has enumerated upward of 500, and Professor Strave, of Dorpat, has recently added to this number between 2000 and 3000. When these combinations were first observed, it was thought probable, that their extreme apparent proximity would enable astronomers to ascertain their distance from the earth, by the discovery of an annual parallax ; for supposing, as might naturally be expected, that one of the combined stars should be nearer the earth than the other, and that both

should prove to be stationary in relation to each other, the motion of the earth in her orbit would cause these stars to alter their apparent position ; and, if that should be the case, even in the slightest appreciable degree, this circumstance would furnish data, on which calculations of the greatest importance might be founded. This consideration induced Sir William Herschel to turn his attention to the double stars, and to subject them to careful and minute measurements; but he had scarcely begun this task, when he was arrested by phenomena of a very unexpected character. Instead of the effect which might be produced by the earth's annual motion, he observed, in many instances, a regular progressive change, "in some cases bearing chiefly on their distance; in others, on their position, and advancing steadily in one direction, so as clearly to indicate either a real motion of the stars themselves, or a general rectilinear motion of the sun and the whole solar system, producing a parallax of a higher order than would arise from the earth's orbitual motion, and which might be called systematic parallax."

After a patient investigation of twenty-five years, the elder Herschel ascertained, what has been further established by subsequent observations, "that there exist siderial systems, composed of two stars, revolving about each other in regular orbits." Between fifty and sixty instances of changes in the position of double stars, were adduced by this astronomer, in communications published in the Transactions of the Royal Society for 1803 and 1804. The revolutions of these combinations of stars round each other, are of extremely different periods, one in the Crown being completed in little more than forty years, while that which is found in the Lion, extends to a cycle of no less than 1200 years. Many of the double stars exhibit the curious and beautiful phenomenon of contrasted or complimentary colours. In such instances, the larger star is usually of a ruddy or orange hue, while the smaller one appears blue or green. The complimentary colour of the smaller star may, in some instances,

be considered as an optical illusion; but the contrast cannot be thus accounted for in others. The double star in Cassiopeia, for instance, exhibits the beautiful combination of a large white star, and a small one of a rich ruddy purple. Sir John Herschel, in mentioning these combinations, indulges his fancy in the following somewhat amusing remarks: "It may be easier suggested in words, than conceived in imagination, what variety of illumination two suns-a red and a green, or a yellow and a blue one-must afford a planet circulating about either; and what charming contrasts and 'grateful viscissitudes,''—a red and a green day, for instance, alternating with a white one, and with darkness-might arise from the presence or absence of one or other, or both, above the horizon."*

Without entering into this speculation, which, of course, is taken from the views and tastes of human beings, and may or may not bear reference to the feelings of the animated creation in these distant worlds, I cannot dismiss this curious subject without a single remark on the beautiful variety which appears in the works of the Creator, combined with a sameness which gives evidence of the architecture of One creating hand. The revolving motions of these binary stars have been found to be governed by the same centripetal and centrifugal forces as regulate and preserve the order and harmony of our own planetary system. M. Savary, Professor Encke, and the younger Herschel, having each applied the Newtonian law of gravitation to the calculation of the elliptic orbits of binary stars, have thus elicited their periods, and the form of their ellipses: and the correspondence between their calculated and observed places, has satisfactorily proved the existence of the law in these remote regions of the universe. Here, then, a new element is added to our knowledge of creation. The identity of the light emitted by the fixed stars, and by our own sun, had been previously ascertained, as well as va

*Herschel's Astronomy, p. 395.

rious other particulars which seemed to mark these distant luminaries as belonging to the same universal system; but although, united with these considerations, the phenomena of comets seemed to intimate some connection between the great laws which govern our own planetary worlds, and those of other suns, and although analogy certainly rendered the extension of these laws to all created things more than probable, it was not till the revolution of these binary stars was observed, and subjected to calculation, that the fact was demonstrated.

It is most curious and instructive to trace the same character in the operations of the Eternal, throughout every corner of His universe, which science unfolds to our view. It is true, that even now, after all the insight which astronomy has afforded of more distant worlds, it is but a faint glimpse that we obtain; but still that glimpse, while it opens up a profusion of wonders, establishes principles which connect system with system, and group with group; and the gradation and variety which it displays, correspond so remarkably with what we perceive around us, both on the large and the minute scale, that we seem warranted in feeling confidence in our reasonings founded on these analogies, and while we trace every where the exercise of the same power and wisdom, may legitimately infer also, every where, the exercise of the same moral qualities.

FOURTH WEEK-SATURDAY.

DISCOVERIES OF THE TELESCOPE AND MICROSCOPE COMPARED.

THE inconceivable space, and innumerable quantities, with which we become conversant in contemplating the phenomena of the heavens, while they stretch the human mind, till it is lost in infinity, are calculated to produce a peculiar effect on our religious views and feelings.

They elevate our conceptions of the Creator, and fill us with the utmost astonishment and awe. But there is something so incomprehensible in the attributes of that Self-existent Being, by whose power these wonders were created, and by whose wisdom they are governed, as to overpower and confound the mind. In the presence of such a God, we appear to become as nothing; and, were we only to dwell on the immensities of nature, it seems as if we should scarcely be in a fit state for receiving the truths of Revealed Religion, or for cherishing those pious and filial affections, which the doctrines of the Gospel are so admirably adapted to excite. After wandering through the boundless realms of space, and observing worlds on worlds, and systems on systems, and even groups of systems on groups, in interminable succession, all glorious with the perfections of the Eternal, it is not easy to conceive, that the dreadful and stupendous Power, who created and sustains this infinite universe, should condescend to care for such worms of earth as we are,—much less that he should extend to us the tender affections of a Father. To think of such a Being as providing food for the ravens, and sustaining the sparrow in its flight, or even looking regardfully on man, and numbering the hairs of the hoary head, or counting the beatings of the infant's heart, seems, to the mind thus exclusively prepossessed, as little better than a fond and idle dream. A general Providence, such a mind will readily admit ; but that the Creator and Sustainer of the universe should occupy Himself with the little affairs of such an insignificant and worthless creature as man, is a doctrine, to say the least, by no means so congenial to the habits of thinking which astronomy induces.

It is not, however, only in the large and magnificent scale of operation, to which the view of the starry heavens introduces us, that the perfections of the Creator are visible. We have seen, that the hand of the Almighty may be equally perceived to be at work in little things as in great. "The cattle on a thousand hills are His."

VOL. I.

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