Copy 1, Volume 1

An history of the earth, and animated nature / [Oliver Goldsmith].

  • Oliver Goldsmith
Date:
1776
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: An history of the earth, and animated nature / [Oliver Goldsmith]. Source: Wellcome Collection.

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    piter, and Saturn, perform their conftant circuits at different distances, each taking up a time to compleat its revolutions proporti¬ oned to the greatnefs of the circle which it is to defcribe. The leffer planets alfo, which are attendants upon fome of the greater, are fubjedt to the fame laws ; they circulate with the fame exaftnefs; and are, in the fame manner, influenced by their refpe&ive cen¬ tres of motion. Befides thofe bodies which make a part of our peculiar fyftem, and which may be faid to refide within its great circumference; there are others, that frequently come among us, from the mod diftant tracts of fpace, and that feem like dangerous intruders upon the beautiful fimplicity of nature. Thefe are comets, whofe appearance was once fo ter¬ rible to mankind, and the theory of which is fo little underftood atprefent: all we know, is, that their number is much greater than that of the planets; and that, like thefe, they roll in orbits, in fome meafure, obedient to Solar influence. Aftronomers have endea¬ voured to calculate the returning periods of many of them; but experience has not, as yet, confirmed the veracity of their invefti- gations: indeed, who can tell when thofe wanderers have made their excurfions into other worlds and diftant fyftems, what obftacles
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