An essay towards the history of the principal comets that have appeared since the year 1742 ; including a particular detail of the return of the famous comet of 1682 in 1759, according to the calculation and prediction of Dr. Halley / compiled from the observations of the most eminent astronomers of this century ; with remarks and reflections upon the present comet ; to which is prefixed by way of introduction a letter upon comets, addressed to a lady by the late M. de Maupertuis. Written in the year 1742.

  • Charles Burney
Date:
1769
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Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An essay towards the history of the principal comets that have appeared since the year 1742 ; including a particular detail of the return of the famous comet of 1682 in 1759, according to the calculation and prediction of Dr. Halley / compiled from the observations of the most eminent astronomers of this century ; with remarks and reflections upon the present comet ; to which is prefixed by way of introduction a letter upon comets, addressed to a lady by the late M. de Maupertuis. Written in the year 1742. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    • ’ ' 9Z ) departed fouls, had he not with great at^rj]t^ made his efcape ;—and, at length, their fove,;^n finding how fond they were of everlalting dan-ia! tion, out of his great goodnefs, condescended 0 Jet them be damned to ail eternity.54 And lalfo (fays the author from whence this account jg cc taken) confent with all my heart, and muo^ 66 good may it do them.”—Lettre de M. Baudinet. It is amazing that fuch as are always ready to de¬ nounce divine vengeance, and to preiage every fpe- cies of calamity to the frighted inhabitants of the globe, upon the appearance of a Comet;—that they, whole belief of the interposition of a parti- tular Providence upon every trivial occafion, is fo firm, never fhould think of extending their faith to the belief of a general Providence, which has fe- cured the globe from contingent evils. But there yet remain many who will have it that “ a Comet never appears without blood,”—and are fure to be right in their conjectures. For if Europe fhould enjoy a profound peace., they have only to look at Afia •, and if ail be quiet there, they have ftill the other two quarters of the globe to fly to, which will, doubriefs, furnifli them not only with carnage enough, but alfo with every other kind of evil, both phyfical and moral, their hearts can wifh, to confirm them in their opinion. i But thofe who are unwilling to fee God, but in vengeance and deftru&ion, fhould try to difcover him in his goodnefs and protection from general calamity, by that wife order of his Providence, fo vifible in the wonderful and Stupendous arrange¬ ment of the univerfe. THE E N D.