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vered Pallas, and in 1803, Harding, of Lilienthel, detected a third, which received the name of Juno; and in 1807, Dr. Olbers added Vesta to the catalogue. After a lapse of about forty years, Astrea, Iris, Hebe, and Flora, have been united to the group. The second discovery of Dr. Olbers was aided by a conjecture that these planets were the fragments of a broken one; and, in view of this, his search was directed to a point in the heavens, in which, agreeably to his reasoning, the planet had been rent asunder; and it was in this region that his efforts were successful. This triumph strengthened the conjecture of Olbers, and the Olbersian hypothesis, as it has since been called, has been ably defended by Dr. Brewster and others, while those who deal more largely in mathematical deduction, or have a more lively faith in the stability of worlds, have treated it with indifference, or denounced it as a sort of magnificent dream. Sir John Herschell has called it one of those visionary speculations in which astronomers occasionally and harmlessly indulge. The recent discovery, however, of four additional members of this group, and the actual dismemberment of a celestial body while traversing the heavens within the grasp of telescopic vision, have given to this hypothesis a grave character, and what appeared to be merely a visionary speculation, has assumed, at least, the semblance of demonstration; and the time may not be distant when the rival geometers of the age will not only establish the fact, but determine the period and the place of this appalling event-an attempt, which, though it may be somewhat bolder than that of Adams and Le Verrier, can scarcely be less successful. From a conviction of the great probability that these eight planets are the larger fragments of a dismembered body, that the phenomena of meteorites, shooting stars, and fire-balls, are but the smaller fragments of this rupture, that comets even, numerous as we must suppose them to be, are merely detached and extremely dilated portions of the atmosphere of the same body, I propose to review some of the principal arguments on which the theory rests; and, though it may weaken our faith in the stability of worlds, it cannot diminish our confidence in the wisdom of that being whose ways are inscrutable to finite minds.

The sagacious Kepler, whose planetary laws*

The laws here alluded to are 1, That the primary planets revolve round the sun in elliptical orbits, having the sun in one of the foci.

2. That the vector radius, or the line from the centre of the sun to that of the planet, always describes equal areas in equal times, in whatever part of the orbit the planet may be.

3. That the squares of the times in which any two planets perform their revolutions round the sun, bear to each other the same ratio as the cubes of their mean distances from that body.

have been of so much importance to astronomy, did not fail to notice, that the distances of the planets from each other are nearly in a doubling ratio from the sun outward to the planet Mars. It was not marked with that mathematical exactness which would entitle it to the rank of a planetary law, yet it seemed too remarkable for a merely fortuitous position; moreover, if a planet were supposed to occupy the gap between Mars and Jupiter, this regular gradation would extend to the confines of the system. This interval was nearly six times as great as the next preceding one, and Kepler surmised that a planet might circulate unseen between the orbit of Mars and Jupiter. The discovery of the planet Uranus, at a distance from Saturn, in strict conformity to the rule, gave an additional test to the seeming law of distances,* and led Prof. Bode, of Berlin, then a most active astronomer, to investigate more clearly a subject which seemed to involve so much consequence to science. The result of this inquiry was the conviction that a planet must exist between Mars and Jupiter, and Baron de Zack calculated the orbit of the unknown body, sixteen years before the discovery of the Asteroids, and his distance and period correspond in an admirable manner, with the mean distances and periods of these small bodies.

That these four planets should thus circulate at nearly equal distances from the sun, occupying the position which analogy had assigned to a single planet, presented a new anomaly, of no ordinary importance, and the recent discovery of as many more, certainly will justify the conjecture that these eight bodies of comparatively diminutive size, are parts of a single planet, which some force has burst asunder. But this, of itself, would be conjecture only.

If these bodies are the fragments of a broken world, they should revolve about the sun at nearly equal distances, because the external forces, though somewhat affected, are not materially changed. This is found to be true, as the following results, relative to the first four, sufficiently indicate. The distance of the earth being one, the distance of Pallas will be

Ceres Juno Vesta

2.791.

2.765.

2.657.

2.373.

Again, if the theory be good, the effect of an explosion from a force within itself, would manifestly be to change the angle of the paths of the

work-the mathematical principles of natural philosophy, usually styled the Principia, from the first word of the Latin title.-ED.

This passage may be rendered clearer, by stating that, if we divide the distance between the sun and earth into ten equal parts, the distances of the planets will be nearly thus: Mercury 4- Verus 4+3=7. Earth 4+3x2-10. Mars 4+3x22=16. Ceres 4 +3x23-28. Jupiter 4+3x24-52. Saturn 4+3x Uranus 4+3x26=196.

These laws are among the primary propositions, deduced from physical principles, of Newton's celebrated | 25-100.

fragments from the plane of the path of the ori- | not find in this the constituents of comets? Are

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In obedience to the same law, we should reason that the smaller fragments would describe orbits of greater eccentricity than the larger ones. This is also confirmed by observation. Originating in one point, their nodes should nearly coincide. This is found to be true.

If a perfect sphere of solid matter be suddenly rent asunder, it would not follow that the fragments would also be spheres; it would be much more conformable with what we daily witness about us, to suppose that they would be masses of irregular shape. Of this there are strong indications in the changeable character of the light of the asteroids, which is observed to increase and diminish alternately.

Collecting all these circumstances, it is difficult to resist the evidence that, at some period, a planet of the larger class revolved about the sun, at the distance of about two hundred and fifty millions of miles-that this planet, by a force within itself, has been broken to piecesthat the larger fragments, eight of which only have been seen, continue to describe orbits but little dissimilar to that of the original mass and to each other that an inconceivable quantity of atoms are still revolving and far more widely divergent, in accordance with the obvious effect of the explosive force and its manifest action, as exhibited by the larger fragments. These atoms then, various in size, and infinite in number, by their great eccentricity, coming occasionally within the sphere of the earth's attraction, have their projectile force gradually diminished, and they are finally precipitated upon the earth's surface. This conclusion is not a little strengthened by the fact, that the constituents of those bodies, which from time to time have fallen upon the earth, are no where found upon the earth in the same combination; thus indicating a foreign origin. Their sameness, also, the little variety of materiel which has always marked the character of these bodies, indicate a common origin. Following out the law of divergency and eccentricity, as manifested in the smaller portion of the solid parts of the planet, how widely diffused and scattered must be its atmosphere! Two of the asteroids appear to be surrounded with an atmosphere; two others appear to be entirely destitute of that appendage. May we

not comets dilated portions of the atmosphere of this shattered planet? Even the probable number of comets, which unquestionably amounts to many thousands, is no absolute objection to it, since the extreme rarity of the matter of which a comet is composed, is now a matter of demonstration.

Finally, it scarcely admits of a question that the phenomena of the eight planets and all the family of shooting stars and comets belong to this wonderful event-an event which we are compelled to acknowledge may occur again. Our own planet unquestionably contains within itself the means of its own destruction, manifested by earthquakes, and mitigated by volca

noes.

It certainly is not easy for language to describe an event of such magnitude. Indeed, the imagination fails in contemplating a scene of such unspeakable sublimity and grandeur; and equally feeble are all our attempts to comprehend the purpose of Omnipotence. It becomes us, however, in all humility, to ascribe to the Creator of worlds the power to sustain them; and while "a breath may make them as a breath has made," to remember that events, inscrutable to us, may yet belong to the harmony of creation. W. M.

Nantucket, 12th mo., 1847.

CAPITAL PUNISHMENT.

The most serious and intense reflection has brought my mind to the conclusion, not only that capital punishment fails in any repressive effect, but that it promotes the crime. The cause is not very easy to discover, and still more difficult to explain; but I argue from effects;— and when I see them general in their occurrence, after the same event, I must believe that event to be the efficient cause which produces them, although I may not be able to trace exactly their connection. This difficulty is particularly felt in deducing moral effects from physical causes, or arguing from the operation of moral causes on human actions. The reciprocal operations of the mind and body must always be a mystery to us, although we are daily witnesses of their effects. In nothing is this more apparent, or the cause more deeply hidden, than in that propensity which is produced on the mind to imitate that which has been strongly impressed on the senses, and that frequently in cases where the first impression must be that of painful ap prehension. It is one of the earliest developments of the understanding in childhood. Aided by other impulses, it conquers the sense of pain, and the natural dread of death. The tortures inflicted on themselves by the fakirs of India, the privations and strict penance of some monastic orders of Christians, and the self-immolation of the Hindoo widows, may be attributed,

in part, to religion,-in part to the love of distinction and fear of shame; but no one, nor all of these united, except in the rare cases of a hero or a saint, could produce such extraordinary effects, without that spirit of imitation to which I have alluded. The lawgiver, therefore, should mark this, as well as every other propensity of human nature; and beware how he repeats, in his punishments, the very acts he wishes to repress, and makes them examples to follow rather than to avoid.

they have assumed the shape of civil war, accompanied by all its horrors, those who do not fall in the field are subjected to something like a trial before their lives are sacrificed. Murder, on those occasions, arrays itself in the spotless ermine of justice, covers itself with her robes, mounts her sacred seat, borrows her holy language, adopts her forms, calls its iniquitous sentence the judgment of the law; and even when it stretches forth its bloody hand for execution, it wields her own weapon, and inflicts on the innocent victim no other punishment than that which previous laws had provided for guilt.

Another reason is drawn from the uncertainty of its infliction,-an uncertainty which reduces the chances of the risk to less than that which-Livingston. is, in many instances, voluntarily incurred in many pursuits of life.

TREATMENT OF THE INSANE.

The various branches of the mathematics and natural science, furnish the most useful class of subjects on which to employ the minds of the insane; and they should, as much as possible, be induced to pursue one subject steadily. Any branch of knowledge with which the patient has been previously acquainted, may be resumed with greater ease; and his disposition to pursue it will be encouraged by the competency which he is able to exhibit.

I met with a striking instance of the advantage of attention to this point, some years ago. It was related to me by a person of great respectability, who was himself the subject of the case. He stated that, a few years before that time, his mind had been greatly depressed without any apparent cause. The most dismal thoughts continually haunted his mind, and he

There is no point in the argument, on which stronger reasoning and more persuasive authority could be produced, than on this, which has more than once been necessarily introduced; for it connects itself with every other. From the operation of the earliest written laws, of which history gives us any account, down to the present day, it has been invariably observed, by all who take the trouble to think, that the inexecution of penal laws was in exact proportion to their severity. Those of Draco have become proverbial for this last quality; and their cruelty has been generally supposed a sufficient reason for their abolition by Solon. But the fact is, that they were abolished, not so much by Solon, as by the impossibility of carrying them into execution. When the stealing of an apple incurred the punishment of death, what citizen would accuse-what witness would testifywhat assembly of the people would convict,-found the greatest difficulty in confining his nay, what executioner would be found to present the poisoned cup? We are accordingly told expressly, that these laws were abolished, not by a formal decree, but by the tacit and unrecorded consent of the Athenians. I make no quotations from modern writers on penal law to this point, for there is not one who has not given his testimony in favour of the position I have taken; and yet, by a most singular incongruity, each of them has a favourite crime to which he thinks it applicable.

All nations, even those the best organized, are subject to political disorders, during which the violent passions that are excited avail themselves of every pretext for their indulgence; and parties, animated with the rage of civil discord, mutually charge each other with the worst intentions and blackest crimes; but even in the hottest warfare of party rage, the destruction of a rival faction or a dangerous leader is seldom attempted, but by the imputation of some new crime new laws are not made on such occasions, but the existing laws are perverted and misapplied; new punishments are not in ented, but those already known are rigorously enforced against the innocent. This is the usual state of things in all intestine commotions, and even after

attention, for the shortest time, to one subject. He felt entirely indifferent to his business and his family, and, of course, he neglected them. It was with great difficulty he was induced to take sufficient food to support life. His body became emaciated, and his mind more and more enfeebled.

In this state, as he was one day musing upon his miserable condition, he perceived by the faint glimmerings of remaining reason, the still worse state to which he must be reduced, if he continued to indulge his gloomy reflections and habits. Alarmed with the prospect of the future, he resolved to exert the power which he still possessed, to control his unhappy dispositions, and to regain the habit of attention. For this purpose, he determined immediately to apply himself to mathematics, with which he had been well acquainted in his youth, and also to adopt a more liberal regimen.

The first attempt to go through the easiest problem, cost him indescribable labour and pain. But he persisted in the endeavour; the difficulty of fixing his attention gradually lessened; he o ercame his tendency to abstinence, and very shortly recovered the use of his faculties and his former temper of mind.

Perhaps few persons in the situation which I | to be his bride, and his wife. And likewise, have described, would have had the courage to form such resolutions, and still fewer the fortitude to perform them. The case, however, certainly points out what may possibly be done, and how important it is, in a curative point of view, to encourage the patient in steady mental pursuit. Tuke.

From the British Friend.

A COPY OF GEORGE FOX'S MARRIAGE CERTIFICATE.

the saide Margarett did solemnly declare that, in the everlastinge power of the mighty God, and in the unalterable word, and in the presence of God, His Angells and his holy assembly, she tooke the saide George Fox to be her husband, unto which marriage, many livinge testimonies were borne in the sence of the power, and presence of the livinge God, manifested in the said assembly; of which we whose names are here subscribed are witnesses.

These are to signify unto all whom this may John Rowe, William Yeamans, Thomas concern, that on the eighteenth day of the eighth Lower, George Roberts, George Whitehead, month, in the year one thousand, six hundred Charles Lloyd, Thomas Gouldney, Dennis Holsixty-nine, George Fox and Margarett ffell, pro-lister, John Moone, John Wilkinson, Morgan pounded their intentions of joininge together in the honourable marriage, in the covenant of God in Mens meetinge, at Broadmead, within the Citty of Bristoll, (having before made mention of such their intentions to several ffriends,) on the behalf of which there were several testimonies given, both by the children and relations of the said Margarett, then present, and several others, in the power of the Lord, both of Men and Women, declaring their satisfaction, and approbation of their declared intention of marriage. And likewise at another meetinge both of Men and Women, at the place aforesaide, on the twenty-first day of the month and year aforesaide, the said George Fox and Margarett ffell, did againe publish their intention of joininge together in the honourable marriage in the covenant of God, unto which, there were againe many livinge testimonies borne by the relations and ffriends then present, both of Men and WoAnd the same intentions of Marriage beinge againe published by Dennis Hollister at our public Meetinge-place aforesaide, on the two and twentyeth day of the month and year aforesaid, and then againe, a public testimony was given to the same, that it was of God who had brought it to passe.

men.

Wilkins, Fre. Rogers, Thomas North, Amos Stoddart, Thomas Briggs, Thomas Salthouse, Robb. Widder, Leonard Fell, Charles Jones, John Hone, Nathaniel Day, William Fayland, Thomas Callowhill, Erazmus Dole, John Wear, Nicho. Jordan, Charles Haword, David Simmonds, Jeremiah Hignell, George Gough, John Higgins, John Dendo, Charles Marshall, Miles Dickson, William Rogers, John Baker, John Watts, Thomas Bourne, John Dowell, George Phipps, Thomas Gordon, John Hardiman, Margaret Rone, Issabel Yeamans, Mary Lower, Sarah ffell, Susan Fell, Rachel Fell, Bridgett Hollister, Mary Gouldney, Mary Prince, Hester Wickens, Margarett Risse, Martha Fisher, Eliza Rogers, Susanna Pearson, Barbara Bladgen, Mary Morgan, Elizabeth Pyott, Joane Hyley, Ann Jones, Hannah Salter, Jane Rogers, Elizabeth Milner, Elizabeth Shewar, Mary Warbfield, Margarett Thomas, Joyce Warren, Ann Speed, Sarah Moone, Mary North, Magdalen Love, Ann Jordan, Joane Dickson, Mary Foarde, Ann Callowhill, Liddia Jordan, Ann Gancliffe, Jane Bathe, Elizabeth Dowell, Susan Freeman, Rebecca Jennings, Susanna Pearson, jun., Katherine Evans, Mary Baldwin, Sarah Godly, Elinor Maide, Rebecka Howell, DeboAnd for the full accomplishment of the afore-rah Wither, Sarah Cann, Francis Maynard, saide proposal, and approved intention, at a publicke meetinge both of men and women ffriends appointed on purpose for the same thinge, at the place aforesaide, and on the twenty-seventh day of the month and year aforesaide, according It gives us great satisfaction to be able to anto the law and ordinance of God, and the exam-nounce that our friends Lindley M. Hoag and ple and good order of His people, mentioned in George Wood, have associated, in partnership, the Scriptures of Truth, who tooke each other to keep a store in the city of New York, for before witnesses, and the Elders of the people, the sale of the productions of free labour, exas Laban appointed a meetinge, at the marriage clusively; and that having rented a commodious of Jacob, and as a meetinge was appointed on house, No. 377 Pearl Street, they are now purpurpose when Boaz and Ruth tooke each other, chasing their stock, and can already meet a conand also as it was in Canaan, where Christ and siderable demand. To the members of New his disciples went to a marriage, &c. The saide York Yearly Meeting, this will be pleasing and George Fox did solemnly, in the presence of important information, and not to this class God, and us his people, declare, that he tooke alone. We rejoice in knowing there are others the saide Margarett ffell in the everlasting power who will gladly avail themselves of the facilities and covenant of God which is from everlasting thus afforded, to avoid supporting slavery. But to everlasting, and in the honourable marriage, that Yearly Meeting having "fully approved"

Ruth Marsh.

FREE PRODUCE STORE IN NEW YORK.

and "transmitted to the subordinate meetings" for careful examination and serious consideration, an official document clearly recognising the correctness of the position, that "the market for slave produce makes slavery," and that "it is a serious matter to be the customers in this market," the obligation seems really incumbent upon Friends, to see to it that their lives in this respect are in accordance with the principles they have acknowledged. We would tenderly, yet earnestly, press this view of the subject upon their attention.

We are unwilling to admit a doubt into our minds, that the efforts made by the Managers of the Free Produce Association of Friends in New York, to aid in opening the Store, will be practically appreciated by their brethren, or that the highly esteemed individuals, who are willing to engage in the business, will receive kind encouragement and liberal support.-Non-Slaveholder.

From the Pennsylvania Inquirer.

REVIEW OF THE WEATHER FOR THE YEAR 1847. The average temperature of the whole year was 53 deg., viz: at sunrise 48 deg., at 2 P. M. 59 deg., and 52 deg. at 10 P. M. The average temperature of the last 50 years has been about 51 deg., the highest being 54 deg., and the lowest 49 deg. So that the past year has been above the average. The highest temperature has been 94 deg., and the lowest 11; the former on the 28th of the 6th month, and the latter was on the 13th of the 1st month-variation 814 deg. The greatest variation in the course of one month in temperature, was 51 deg., in the 11th month, (Nov.,) and the least do. was 32 deg., in the 8th month, (Aug.) The maximum monthly average was 75 deg., in the 7th month, (July) and the least do., was 33 deg., in the 1st month (January.)

The general direction of the wind was as follows:

North West, 691 days. | North East, 46 days. South West, 120 66 South East, 63% 66

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has been much suffering among the poor, many of whom were driven from their homes by the rising waters, glad to escape with their lives; and some idea may be formed of the general distress, when it is known that, at Cincinnati, the river was fifty-four feet and a half above lowwater mark. The occasion gave rise to a number of instances of noble generosity, which are noted in the Cincinnati papers :

T. & J. W. Gaff, millers, of Aurora, had several hundred barrels of flour on hand, for which they were offered $5 per barrel, by a man who, in view of the prospective want of provisions, in-* tended to speculate in the article. T. & J. W. Gaff refused the offer, and turning to their clerk, ordered him to give a barrel to any poor man who needed it. And in this way dozens of barrels were given to the necessitous without charge. At Lawrenceburgh, William E. Craft, Esq., caused it to be proclaimed to the houseless and needy, "Here are my warehouse and storehere are flour and meat-come and take what you need." And his clerks dealt out to them as they came. Lewis & Eichelberger caused the same thing to be made known concerning flour at their mill, and gave away to the destitute and unfortunate more than 100 barrels. Barr & Febiger had a number of their hogs slaughtered, cut up, and given to all who needed and wished.-Presb.

A mild answer to an angry man, like water cast upon the fire, abateth his heat, and from an enemy he will become thy friend.-Economy of Human Life.

For Friends' Review.

THOUGHTS ON THE DEATH OF A FRIEND.

What painful sorrow clothed the day,
When the dear loved one past away
To Christ, her rest;

To join the choir in praise to Him,
With cherubim and seraphim,
And angels biest.

There to cast down each royal gem,
With every crown and diadem-
Fit offerings

To him whose robe is dyed in blood, Whose "Name is called the word of God," "The King of Kings."

How gently she resigned her breath,
How calmly met approaching death-
He had no sting!

The grave had lost its victory,
Her soul from every fear was free;
Borne on faith's wing.

Chastened and taught by sovereign grace,
She early sought her Saviour's face
With all her heart:
Her life to wisdom's race was given,
And from a treasury in heaven
She would not part.

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