Natural theology, or, Evidences of the existence and attributes of the Deity. Collected from the appearances of nature / [William Paley].

  • William Paley
Date:
1847
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: Natural theology, or, Evidences of the existence and attributes of the Deity. Collected from the appearances of nature / [William Paley]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    they are placed, either no motion at all would have been carried on in the machine, or none which would have answered the use that is now served by it. To reckon up a few of the plainest of these parts, and of their oflices, all tending to one result:—We see a cylindrical box, containing a coiled elastic spring, which, by its endeavour to relax itself turns round the box. We next observe a flexible chain (artificially wrought for the sake of flexure), communicating the action of the spring from the box to the fusee. We then find a seriet of wheels, the teeth of which catch in and apply to each other, conducting the uiotion from the fusee to the balance, and from the balance to the pointer; and, at the same time, by the size and shape of those wheels, so regulating that motion as to ter- minate in causing an index, by an equable and measured progression, to pass over a given space In a given time. We take notice that the wheels are made of brass, in order to keep them from rust; the springs of steel, no other metal being so elastic; that over the face of the watch there is placed a glass, a material employed in no other part of the work, but, in the room of which, if there had been any other than a transparent substance, the hour could not be seen without opening the case. This mechanism being observed (it requires indeed ar examination of the instrument, and perhaps some previous knowledge of the subject, to perceive ane understand it; but being once, as we have said observed and understood), the inference, we think is inevitable, that the watch must have had t maker; that there must have existed, at some tim« and at some place or other, an artificer or artificen who formed it for the purpose which we find i
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