,transcriber ,note ,text emphasis denoted as ,italics4 ,illustration3 ,,fontenelle4 ,,conversations ,,on ,,the ,,plurality ,,of ,,worlds4 ,,by ,,bernard ,,de ,,fontenelle1 ,one of the ,forty belonging to the ,french ,academy2 and ,secretary to the ,academy of ,sciences4 ,,with ,,notes1 ,,and ,a ,,critical ,,account ,,of ,,the ,,author',s ,,writings1 ,,by ,,jerome ,,de ,,la ,,lande1 ,,senior ,,director ,,of ,,the ,,observatory ,,at ,,paris4 ,translated from a late ,paris ,edition1 by ,,miss ,,elizabeth ,,gunning4 ,london3 ,,printed ,,by ,j4 ,,cundee1 ,,ivy-,,lane2 ,,sold ,,by ,t4 ,,hurst1 ,,paternoster-,,row4 #ahjc4 ,,critical ,,account ,,of ,,the ,life and ,writings of the ,author1 ,,by ,,jerome ,,de ,,la ,,lande4 ,whenever ,i have entered into conversation with any sensible woman on astronomy1 ,i have always found that she had read ,fontenelle's ,plurality of ,worlds2 and that his book had excited her curiosity on the subject4 ,as it has been so much read already1 it must continue to engage attention3 ,i therefore thought it would be useful to point out its faults2 to add some observations1 without which the reader would be led into error with respect to the vortices2 to make known the late discoveries2 and to shew what numbers1 before our author1 had written on the plurality of worlds4 ,but ,i have made no alterations in the text2 the reputation of ,fontenelle renders him respectable1 even in his mistakes4 ,the ,astronomy for ,ladies1 which ,i have published as a substitute for this book1 would be more instructive1 but less amusing2 therefore1 as it will be but little read1 ,i shall endeavour to supply the defects of ,fontenelle's work1 by adding to the original some ideas more exact than his own4 ,m4 ,codrika has translated it into ,greek1 with explanations taken from my ,astronomy4 ,m4 ,bode has translated it into ,german2 and his translation has already gone through three editions3 the last is that of #agih1 ,berlin1 in octavo1 ,bernard de ,fontenelle1 ,dialogen ueber die ,mehrheit der ,welten4 ,when ,voltaire published1 in #agch1 his ,essays on the ,elements of ,newton1 he began with these words3 ,here is no ,marchioness2 no imaginary philosophy4 ,it was supposed that he here alluded to ,fontenelle2 this he contradicts by saying3 so far from having his book in view1 ,i publicly declare that ,i consider it one of the best works that ever were written4 7,mem4 de ,trublet1 p4 #ace74 ,this book has been printed a hundred times2 the handsome edition of ,fontenelle's ,works1 in folio1 published at the ,hague in #agbh1a with figures by ,bernard ,pickart2 the still more beautiful edition of the ,worlds alone1 edited by ,didot the younger1 in #agig1 in folio1 are master-pieces of typography2 but in them nothing is found but the original work2 therefore ,i consider our edition far preferable4 ,footnote #a3 ,that edition does not contain the account of the bees1 which is in the present edition4 ,i shall here give a short account of the author of this work4 ,bernard le ,bovier#b de ,fontenelle was born at ,bouen1 ,february #aa1 #afeg4 ,he died ,january #i1 #ageg4 ,footnote #b3 ,lebeau writes the name le ,bouyer1 from the family name1 in the ,mmoires de l',acadmie des ,inscriptions2 but it is pronounced le ,bovier4 7,mem4 p4 #ai47 ,the first efforts of his genius were directed to poetry3 at the age of thirteen he had composed a ,latin poem3 about the year #afhc he devoted himself to literature and philosophy4 ,in #afii he began l',historie de l',acadmie des ,sciences1 which he continued with great success during forty-two years4 ,few persons have contributed more to the progress of the sciences than he has done1 by accommodating them to every capacity1 and inspiring by his panegyrics1 a love of study4 ,for my part1 ,i feel a pleasure in acknowledging that ,i am indebted to him for the germ of that insatiable activity of mind ,i have experienced ever since the age of sixteen4 ,i could find nothing in the world like the ,academy of ,sciences1 and ardently wished for the happiness of seeing it1 long before ,i had any idea of the possibility of one day belonging to it4 ,in #agbg he published his ,elemens de la ,gomtrie de l'infini2 this was merely the amusement of a man of genius who had heard a little of geometry1 and chose to hazard his opinions on the subject4 ,we may find an eulogium on our author in l',historie de l',acadmie des ,sciences for #ageg1 in the ,mmoires de l',acadmie des ,belles-,lettres1 and in a work written entirely on the subject1 published by ,trublet in the year #agfa1 entitled ,mmoires pour servir l',historie de la vie et des ,ouvrages de ,fontenelle4 ,in these memoirs a particular critique shews us the various merits of ,fontenelle's works3 there is also an article by ,trublet in the edition of ,morri1 published in #agei4 ,i have remarked in the twentieth book of my ,astronomy1 that in every period of time it has been believed that the planets were inhabited1 on account of their resemblance to the earth4 ,the idea of the plurality of worlds is expressed in the ,orphics1 those ancient ,grecian poems attributed to ,orpheus 7,plut4 de ,placitis ,philosoph4 l4 #b1 cap4 #ac47 ,proclus has preserved some verses in which we find that the writer of the ,orphics places mountains1 men1 and cities in the moon4 ,the ,pythagoreans1 such as ,philolas1 ,hicetas1 ,heraclides1 taught that the stars were all worlds4 ,several ancient philosophers even admitted an infinity of worlds beyond the reach of our sight4 ,epicurus1 ,lucretius1 and all the ,epicureans were of the same opinion2 and ,metrodorus thought it as absurd to imagine but one world in the immensity of space1 as to say that only one ear of corn could grow in a great extent of country4 ,zeno of ,eleusis1 ,anaximenes1 ,anaximander1 ,leucippus1 ,democritus1 asserted the same thing3 in short1 there were some philosophers who1 although they did not consider the rest of the planets inhabited1 placed inhabitants in the moon2 such were ,anaxagorus1 ,xenophanes1 ,lucian1 ,plutarch1 7,de ,oracular4 defectu4 ,de ,facie in orbe ,lun17 ,eusebius1 ,stobius4 ,we may see a long list of the ancients who have treated on the subject1 in ,fabricius1 7,biblio4 ,grc1 t4 #a4 cap4 #bj47 and in the ,mmoire de ,bonamy 7,acad4 des ,inscriptions1 tom4 ix47 ,hevelius appeared as firmly persuaded of this opinion in #afdg1 when he talked of the difference between the inhabitants of the two hemispheres of the moon3 he calls them selenit1 and examines at length all the phnomena observed in their planet1 after the example of ,kepler 7,astron4 ,lunaris47 ,it was maintained at ,oxford1 in certain themes which are mentioned in the ,news of the ,republic of ,letters1 ,june #aghd1 that the system of ,pythagoras on the inhabitants of the moon was well founded3 two years afterwards ,fontenelle discussed this subject in his agreeable work4 ,there are farther details of the different astronomical opinions at the end of ,gregory's book4 ,for the objections1 we may refer to ,riccioli4 7,almagestum1 tom4 #a1 p4 #ahh1 #bjd74 ,in #afhf the ,plurality of ,worlds was adorned by ,fontenelle with all the beauties of which a philosophical work was susceptible4 ,huygens 7who died in #afie7 in his book entitled ,cosmothoros1 published in #afih1 likewise enters largely into the subject4 ,the resemblance between the earth and the other planets is so striking1 that if we allow the earth to have been formed for habitation1 we cannot deny that the planets were made for the same purpose2 for if there is1 in the nature of things1 a connection between the earth and the men who inhabit it1 a similar connexion must exist between the planets and beings who inhabit them4 ,we see six planets around the sun1 the earth is the third2 they all move in elliptical orbits2 they have all a rotatory motion like the earth1 as well as spots1 irregularities1 mountains3 some of them have satellites1 the earth has one satellite3 ,jupiter is flattened like our world2 in short there is every possible resemblance between the planets and the earth3 is it1 then1 rational to suppose the existence of living and thinking beings is confined to the earth8 ,from what is such a privilege derived but the groveling minds of persons who can never rise above the objects of their immediate sensations8 ,lambert believed that even the comets were inhabited4 7,systme du ,monde1 ,bouillon2 #aggj47 ,buffon determines the period when each planet became habitable1 and when it will cease to be so1 from its refrigeration4 7,suplmens1 in #dto4 tom4 #aa47 ,what ,i have said of planets that turn round the sun1 will naturally extend to all the planetary systems which environ the fixed stars2 every star being an immoveable and luminous body1 having light in itself1 may properly be compared with our sun4 ,we must conclude that if our sun serves to attract and enlighten the planets which surround it1 the fixed stars have the same use4 ,it is thought that the sun and fixed stars are uninhabitable because they are composed of fire2 yet ,m4 ,knight1 in a work written to explain all the phnomena of nature1 by attraction and repulsion1 endeavours to prove that the sun and stars may be habitable worlds1 and that the people in them may possibly suffer from extreme cold4 ,m4 ,herschel likewise thinks the sun is inhabited 7,philos4 ,trans4 #agi4 p4 #aee1 et suiv47 ,some timid1 superstitious writers have reprobated this system1 as contrary to religion3 they little knew how to promote the glory of their ,creator4 ,if the immensity of his works announce his power1 can any idea be more calculated than this to exhibit their magnificence and sublimity8 ,we see with the naked eye1 several thousands of stars2 in every part of the firmament we discover with telescopes1 innumerable others2 with more perfect telescopes1 we still find a multitude more4 ,we compute1 from the number seen through ,herschel's telescopes in one region of the sky1 that there are a hundred millions4 ,imagination pierces beyond the extent of vision1 beholding multitudes of unknown worlds1 infinitely more in number than those which are visible to our sight2 and ranges unrestrained in the boundless space of creation4 ,our only difficulty with respect to the inhabitants of so many millions of planets1 is the obscurity of the final causes1 which it is difficult to admit when we see into what errors the greatest philosophers have fallen2 for instance ,fermat1 ,leibnitz1 ,maupertius1 c4 in attempting to employ these final causes or metaphysical suppositions of imagined relations between effects that we see and the causes we assign them1 or the ends for which we believe them to exist4 ,if the plurality of worlds be admitted without difficulty2 if the planets are believed to be inhabited1 it is because the earth is considered merely as a habitation for man1 from which it is inferred that were the planets uninhabited they would be useless3 but ,i will venture to assert that such a mode of reasoning is confined1 unphilosophic1 and at the same time1 presumptuous4 ,what are we in comparison of the universe8 ,do we know the extent1 the properties1 the destination1 and the connexions of nature8 ,is our existence1 formed as we are1 of a few frail atoms1 to be considered any thing when we think of the greatness of the whole8 ,can we add to the perfection and grandeur of the universe8 ,these ideas are expressed by ,saussure1 who in speaking of a traveller to ,mont-blanc says3 if1 during his meditations1 the thought of the insignificant beings that move on the face of the earth offers itself to his mind1 if he compares their duration with the grand epochs of nature1 how great will be his astonishment that man1 occupying so small a space1 existing so short a time1 can ever imagine that his being is the only end for which the universe was created4 ,from these considerations d',alembert1 in the ,encyclopedia1 7art4 ,world7 after examining the arguments for supposing the planets inhabited1 concludes by saying3 the subject is enveloped in total obscurity4 ,but ,buffon affirms that wherever there is a certain degree of heat1 the motion produces organized beings2 we need not enquire in what way1 but imagine these to be the inhabitants of the planets3 if that should be the case1 we may conclude it highly probable that they are inhabited1 notwithstanding the preceding objections4 ,,la ,,lande4 #ahjb4 ,,lines ,,on ,,fontenelle4 ,illustration ,muse6 if thou canst1 this picture's truth excel2 ,strive to pourtray the soul of ,fontenelle3 ,him1 to whose works1 with wit and judgment warm1 ,indulgent ,nature1 gave a magic charm4-- ',twas his to strew with flowers the toilsome road1 ,which leads to ,science in her dark abode2 ,and while he touch'd the pastoral reed1 to prove1 ,that courtly pomp1 must yield to rural love4 ,a ,lucian rising from the silent tomb1 ',twas his1 to pierce through ,error's doubtful gloom2 ,and1 with resistless eye1 at once to dart ,full on the hidden secrets of the heart4-- ,union divine6--in ,fontenelle we find ,a glowing genius1 and a gentle mind6 ,,preface ,,by ,,bernard ,,de ,,fontenelle4 ,i find myself nearly in the situation of ,cicero1 when he undertook to write in his own language on philosophical subjects1 that1 till then1 had never been treated of but in ,greek4 ,he tells us that his works were said to be useless1 because those who delighted in philosophy1 having taken the pains to study the books written in ,greek1 would not afterwards think of examining his ,latin ones1 which were not originals2 and that persons who had no taste for philosophy1 would neither care for the ,greek nor the ,latin4 ,to which he answers1 that exactly the contrary would happen2 that the unlearned would be allured to philosophy by the facility of reading ,latin works2 and that the well-informed1 after studying the ,greek authors1 would be pleased to see how the subjects were handled in ,latin4 ,cicero might with propriety speak in this manner2 his superior genius and great celebrity assured him success in this untried project1 but ,i have not the same advantages to inspire me with confidence1 in a similar undertaking4 ,i was desirous of representing philosophy in a way that was not philosophical2 ,i have attempted to compose a book that shall neither be too abstruse for the gay1 nor too amusive for the learned4 ,but if what was said to ,cicero should be repeated to me1 ,i could not venture to answer as he did3 possibly in attempting to find a middle way which would accommodate philosophy to every class1 ,i have chosen one that will not be agreeable to any4 ,it is very difficult to maintain a medium1 and ,i think ,i shall never be inclined to make a second attempt of this nature4 ,i should warn those that have some knowledge of natural philosophy1 that ,i do not suppose this book capable of giving them any information2 it will merely afford them some amusement1 by presenting in a lively manner what they have already become acquainted with by dint of study4 ,i would also inform those who are ignorant of these subjects that it has been my design to amuse and instruct them at the same time3 the former will counteract my intention if they here expect improvement1 and the latter1 if they here only seek for entertainment4 ,i need not say that of all philosophical subjects ,i have chosen that which is most calculated to excite curiosity3 surely nothing ought to interest us more than to know how our own world is formed2 and whether there be other worlds similar to it1 and inhabited in the same way3 but let no one be disquieted if unable to answer these enquiries2 they who have time to spare may examine such subjects2 many have it not in their power4 ,in these ,conversations ,i have represented a woman receiving information on things with which she was entirely unacquainted4 ,i thought this fiction would enable me to give the subject more ornament1 and would encourage the female sex in the pursuit of knowledge1 by the example of a woman who though ignorant of the sciences1 is capable of understanding all she is told1 and arranging in her ideas the worlds and vortices4 ,why should any woman allow the superiority of this imaginary ,marchioness1 who only believes what she could not avoid understanding8 ',tis true1 she gives some attention to the subject1 but what sort of attention is requisite8 ,not such as will laboriously penetrate into an obscure thing1 or a thing that is spoken of in an obscure manner2 it is needful only to read with sufficient application to render the ideas familiar4 ,women may understand this system of philosophy by giving it as much attention as they would bestow on the ,princess of ,cleves1 in order to understand the story and see all the beauties of the work4 ,i do not deny that the ideas contained in this book are less familiar to the generality of females than those in the ,princess of ,cleves1 but they are not more abstruse1 and ,i am convinced that on a second perusal they would be perfectly understood4 ,as ,i did not wish to establish an imaginary system that had no foundation1 ,i have employed true philosophical arguments1 and as many of them as were necessary to establish my opinions2 but fortunately the ideas connected with natural philosophy are in themselves beautiful1 and whilst they satisfy the understanding1 give as much pleasure as if formed only to charm the imagination4 ,to such parts of my subjects as did not possess these beauties ,i have given extraneous ornaments2 ,virgil has done this in his ,georgics1 where he renders a dry subject interesting by frequent and agreeable digressions3 ,ovid likewise in his ,art of ,love has pursued the same plan1 although the matter of his poem was far more pleasing than any thing he could add to it3 he seems to think it tiresome to speak constantly of one subject--even of love4 ,i have more need of embellishments than he1 yet ,i have used them sparingly4 ,i have only given such as the freedom of conversation authorised2 ,i have only placed them in parts that ,i thought required them2 ,i have inserted most of them in the commencement of the work to accustom the mind by degrees to the objects ,i wish to present to its attention1 in short1 ,i have derived them from my subject1 or formed them as much as possible to resemble my subject4 ,i did not venture to give any opinions on the inhabitants of the different worlds1 since they must have been entirely chimerical2 ,i have endeavoured to express all that might reasonably be imagined1 and even the conjectures that are added are not without foundation4 ,truth and fiction are in some measure blended1 but always so as to be distinguishable from each other3 ,i do not undertake to justify such a composition2 the union of philosophy and amusement is the chief aim of this work1 but ,i know not whether ,i have adopted the right method4 ,it only remains for me now to address one class of persons2 they are perhaps the most difficult to satisfy1 not because my reasoning is inconclusive1 but because they feel themselves privileged to disregard the best arguments3 ,i am speaking of scrupulous people who may imagine religion is endangered by placing inhabitants any where but on the earth4 ,i respect even an excessive scrupulosity when it arises from piety1 nor would ,i willingly hurt the feelings of any one from whom ,i differed3 but by rectifying a little error of the imagination we shall find that this objection cannot affect my system of giving inhabitants to an infinite number of worlds4 ,when you are told that the moon is peopled1 you immediately figure to yourself men like ourselves1 and then a variety of theological difficulties occur4 ,the posterity of ,adam cannot have colonized the moon2 therefore the inhabitants of that planet are not descendants of our first parents2 now it would be a difficult point in theology to account for the existence of men who had any other ancestor4 ,no more need be said2 every imaginable difficulty is included in this1 and the expressions that would be necessary for a more full explanation are too worthy of reverence to be employed in a work containing so little of the serious as this4 ,the objection then turns on the existence of men in the moon1 but it is the objectors themselves who talk of men as its inhabitants2 ,i have asserted no such thing3 ,i say there are inhabitants1 and ,i likewise say they may not at all resemble us4 ,what are they then8--,i have never seen them2 ,i do not speak from acquaintance with them4 ,do not consider it a subterfuge1 to rid myself of the objection1 when ,i affirm that the moon is not peopled by men2 you will see that according to the idea ,i entertain of the endless diversity of the works of nature1 it is impossible such beings as we1 should be placed there4 ,this opinion is supported throughout the book1 and it is an opinion which no philosopher can deny3 ,i think1 therefore1 on this ground1 the following conversations will be objected to only by those who have never read them4 ,but will this consideration suffice to deliver me from the fear of censure8 ,no2 it rather gives me cause to apprehend objections from every side4 ,,fontenelle4 ,,conversations ,,on ,,the ,,plurality ,,of ,,worlds4 ,,to ,,mr4 ,l----4 ,you desire me1 dear ,sir1 to give you a particular account of the manner in which my time has been spent whilst at the ,marchioness of ,g--'s#c in the country4 ,to obey your injunctions strictly1 ,i shall be obliged to fill a volume1 and what is still more formidable1 a volume of philosophy4 ,footnote #c3 ,the lady here mentioned was ,madame de la ,mesangire of ,rouen4 ,she was a beautiful brunette2 but in compliance with her desire to be concealed1 the author has spoken of her in the following pages1 as having a fair complexion4 ,the park belonging to her residence1 is described in the ,first ,evening4 ,you expect to be entertained with a history of splendid feasts1 hunting1 and card-parties2 and you will hear of nothing1 but planets1 worlds1 and vortexes3#d for the discussion of these latter subjects1 formed our principal amusement4 ,fortunately you are a philosopher1 therefore ,i have the less reason to dread raillery from such a quarter2 on the reverse1 ,i may even hope for your congratulations1 on having rendered the ,marchioness sensible to the charms of philosophy3 we could not have made a more valuable acquisition2 for youth and beauty1 in every cause holds such power1 that if wisdom herself were desirous of being welcomed by mortals1 and would assume the form of this lovely woman1 surely with such an exterior1 and such fascinating eloquence1 she could not fail to attract every heart4 ,footnote #d3 ,the ,vortexes of ,descartes1 occupied the attention of the learned1 for nearly a century2 but this hypothesis was superceded by a discovery of the laws of attraction4 ,although ,newton's famous book on principles was published in #afhg1 ,fontenelle always retained his educational prejudice in favour of the ,vortexes4 ,a few years before his death1 he consulted me on a little work he had some time since composed on the subject4 ,i endeavoured to dissuade him from making it public2 but ,falconet was afterwards weak enough to do so4 ,the book is entitled ,theory of the ,cartesian ,vortexes1 with ,reflections on ,attraction4 ,the author's name was never affixed to the work4 ,notwithstanding all this1 you must not expect to be transported with admiration1 whilst ,i repeat the conversations ,i have held with her ladyship3 my genius should be equal with her's1 to relate what she said1 in her own delightful manner4 ,conscious of inability1 ,i must relinquish the attempt1 and leave you to discern through the recital1 that rapidity of apprehension1 which characterizes the mind of the ,marchioness4 ,from the wonderful quickness with which she comprehends the most abstruse subjects1 ,i consider her already learned3 at least1 ,i may be allowed to say1 that after a little study1 she might attain the heights of science2 when many1 who spend their lives amid the dull disputes of vast libraries1 remain for ever in the deepest ignorance4 ,before ,i recount our various conversations1 perhaps you may expect some description of their scene2 some picture of the romantic country1 under whose shades the ,marchioness is enjoying the autumn4 ,if so1 you will be disappointed3 so many people have exercised their talents on this gay species of writing1 that ,i shall dispense with the ceremony1 and merely say1 that on my arrival ,i had the pleasure of finding myself the only visitor4 ,the two first days were passed in relating the news of ,paris1 which ,i had just quitted4 ,when that subject was exhausted1 an evening walk in the park1 suggested the discussion of those learned topics1 the commencement of which you will find in the next page4 ,,first ,,evening4#e ,footnote #e3 ,this first book has been translated into a variety of languages2 it is the best eclogue that has been composed in the last fifty years3 the descriptions and imagery it contains are perfectly suited to the style of pastoral poetry2 indeed many of the images would not have disgraced the pen of a ,virgil4 ,dubos4 ,reflections on ,poetry and ,painting4 ,,the ,,earth ,,is ,a ,,planet ,,which ,,turns ,,on ,,its ,,axis1 ,,and ,,goes ,,round ,,the ,,sun4 ,after supper we went to take a walk in the park4 ,we felt the fragrant breeze of evening peculiarly delightful1 as the heat had been intense during the day3 the silvery rays of the moon1 gleaming through the foliage1 formed an agreeable contrast with the darkened shadows of the landscape4 ,not a cloud intercepted or veiled the smallest star4 ,every orb appeared a mass of pure gold1 rendered more brilliant by the rich blue of the sky4 ,the beauty of the scenery produced a gentle reverie1 from which1 had not the ,marchioness been with me1 ,i should not have been easily roused2 but in the company of so interesting a woman ,i could not long abandon myself to the influence of the moon and stars4 ,do you not think1 said ,i1 addressing myself to her1 that the charms of a fine night greatly exceed those of the day8 ,yes1 she replied1 the splendour of day resembles a fair and dazzling beauty1 but the milder radiance of night may be compared to a woman of less brilliancy of complexion1 and more sweetness of expression4 ,you are very generous1 resumed ,i1 in giving the preference to the brunette1 whilst you are so fair4 ,it is however true1 that an unclouded sun is the most glorious object in nature2 and it is equally true1 that the heroines of romance1 the most beautiful objects imagination can depict1 have almost invariably been represented with fair complexions4 ,beauty1 answered my companion1 is nothing1 unless it interests our feelings4 ,you will not deny that the finest day never had the power of inspiring so delightful a reverie as you were falling into just now in contemplating the loveliness of the evening4 ,you are right1 said ,i1 but the loveliest night ,i ever beheld1 with all it's shadowy beauty1 would fail to give me such enchanting sensations as the contemplation of the fair face of the ,marchioness de ,g----4 ,i should not be satisfied with your compliment1 she replied1 did ,i even believe you sincere1 since the brightness of day1 with which we have been comparing fair women1 has so little influence on your heart4 ,why do lovers1 who undoubtedly can judge of what is most touching1 address all their poetic effusions to the night8 ,to the ear of day they neither confide their transports nor their sorrows--why is it so entirely excluded from their confidence8 ,probably1 ,i answered1 because it is not calculated to inspire that delicious sentiment1 at once impassioned and melancholy1 which we feel in the stillness of night1 whilst all nature seems to repose4 ,the stars appear to move with more silent progress than the sun3 every object that decorates the heavens is soft1 and attractive to the eye3 in short1 we resign ourselves more easily to reverie because we feel as if no other being was at that time enjoying the pensive pleasure that expands our soul4 ,perhaps1 too1 the uniformity of day1 in which the sky presents no other object than the sun1 is less favourable to the wild and pleasing illusions of fancy than the view of innumerable stars1 scattered with sportive irregularity1 over the boundless space4 ,i have always felt what you describe1 said she1 ,i love to see the stars1 and am almost inclined to reproach the sun for hiding them4 ,ah6 cried ,i1 ,i cannot forgive him for concealing so many worlds from my sight6 ,worlds6 she exclaimed1 turning to me with surprise1 what do you mean8 ,forgive me1 said ,i1 you touched the wildest chord of my imagination--,i forget myself in a romantic idea4 ,and what is this romantic idea8 enquired the ,marchioness4 ,ah6 replied ,i1 ,i am half ashamed of owning it3--,i have taken it in my head that every star may be a world4 ,i would not positively assert the truth of my opinion1 but ,i believe it because it affords me pleasure2 it has possessed my mind with irresistible force2 and ,i consider pleasure a needful accessary to truth4 ,well1 said she1 since your whim is such a pleasant one1 make me a partaker of it2 ,i'll believe any thing you chuse about the stars1 provided it contributes to my happiness4 ,ah6 madam1 ,i replied1 'tis not such an enjoyment as you would find in seeing one of ,molire's comedies3 it is an idea which can only give delight to the understanding4 ,what6 exclaimed she1 do you think ,i am not susceptible of pleasures which depend only on reason8 ,i will convince you of your mistake4 ,teach me your system4 ,no1 answered ,i1 ,i will not subject myself to the reproach of having talked of philosophy1 in such an enchanting walk as this1 to the most interesting woman of my acquaintance4 ,no1 seek for pedants elsewhere4 ,for a long while ,i attempted1 in vain1 to excuse myself2 ,i was at last obliged to yield3 ,i insisted1 however1 for my reputation's sake1 on a promise of secrecy4 ,every objection being removed1 ,i wished to begin the subject1 but found the commencement extremely difficult2 for1 with a person who was ignorant of natural philosophy1 it was necessary to converse in a very circuitous manner1 to prove that the earth was a planet1 the other planets similar to the earth1 and all the stars so many suns which enlightened a number of worlds4 ,i once more assured her it would be much better to talk on such trifles as other people1 in our situation1 would amuse themselves with4 ,in the end1 however1 to give her a general idea of philosophy1 ,i pursued the following plan4 ,all philosophy1 said ,i1 is founded on two things2 an inquisitive mind1 and defective sight2 for if your eyes could discern every thing to perfection you would easily perceive whether each star is a sun1 giving light to a number of worlds2 on the other hand1 had you less curiosity1 you would hardly take the trouble to inform yourself about the matter1 and consequently remain in equal ignorance2 but the difficulty consists in our wanting to become acquainted with more than we see3 besides1 it is out of our power to understand much of what is even within the reach of our sight1 because objects appear to us very different from what they are4 ,thus philosophers pass their lives in disbelieving what they see1 and endeavouring to conjecture what is concealed from them2 such a state of mind is not very enviable4 ,in thinking on this subject1 nature always appears to me in the same point of view as theatrical representations4 ,in the situation you occupy at the opera you do not see the whole of its arrangements3 the machinery and decorations are so disposed as to produce an agreeable effect at a distance1 and at the same time the weights and wheels are hidden by which every motion is effected4 ,you behold all that is passing1 without concerning yourself about the causes2 and so perhaps do all the other spectators1 unless among the number some obscure student of mechanics is puzzling himself to account for an extraordinary motion which he cannot understand4 ,you see the case of this mechanical genius resembles that of the philosopher studying the structure of the universe4 ,what1 however1 augments the difficulty with respect to philosophers is1 that nature so conceals from us the means by which her scenery is produced1 that for a long time we were unable to discover the causes of her most simple movements4 ,figure yourself1 as spectators of an opera1 the ,pythagorases1 the ,platos1 the ,aristotles2 all these men whose names are so celebrated4 ,let us suppose them viewing the flight of ,phton1 rising on the wind2 ignorant at the same time of the construction of the theatre1 and the cords by which the figure is put in motion4 ,one to explain the phenomenon1 says1 it is some hidden virtue in ,phton which causes him to rise2 another replies1 ,phton is composed of certain numbers which produce his elevation4 ,a third says1 ,phton has a love for the top of the stage2 he is uneasy at any other part4 ,the fourth thinks1 it is not essential to the nature of ,phton to rise in the air1 but he prefers flying up to leaving a vacuum at the top of the stage4 ,such were the ridiculous notions of the ancient philosophers1 which to my astonishment have not ruined the reputation of antiquity4 ,after all ,descartes and some other moderns appear3 they tell you that ,phton rises in consequence of being drawn by cords1 fastened to a descending weight1 which is heavier than himself4 ,it is no longer believed that a body can have motion1 unless acted upon by another body2 that it can rise and descend without a counterbalancing weight2 thus1 whoever examines the mechanism of nature is only going behind the scenes of a theatre4 ,if that be the case1 answered the ,marchioness1 philosophy is a very mechanical affair6 ,so much so1 ,i replied1 that ,i am afraid it will fall into disrepute4 ,in short1 the universe is but a watch on a larger scale2 all its motions depending on determined laws and the mutual relation of its parts4 ,confess the truth1 have you not hitherto entertained a more exalted idea of the works of nature8 ,have you not considered them with more veneration than they deserve8 ,i have known some people esteem them less as their knowledge encreased4 ,for my part1 said she1 ,i contemplate the universe with more awful delight now ,i find that such wonderful order is produced by principles so simple4 ,i know not1 rejoined ,i1 how you have acquired such rational ideas1 for1 to say the truth1 they are not very common4 ,the generality are affected only by the obscure and marvellous4 ,they admire nature merely because they consider it a sort of magic2 something too occult for the understanding to reach3 to them a thing appears contemptible as soon as they find the possibility of explaining its nature3 but you1 madam1 can reason so clearly1 that ,i have only to draw aside the veil1 and present the world to your inspection4 ,what we behold at the greatest distance from our earth is the azure heaven1 that immense arch to which the stars seem firmly to adhere4 ,they are called fixed1 because they appear to have no other motion than that of their sky1 carrying them from east to west4 ,between the earth and the remote firmament are suspended1 at various distances1 the sun1 moon1 and the other five stars1 denominated planets2 ,mercury1 ,venus1 ,mars1 ,jupiter and ,saturn4#f ,these planets not being stationary at one point in the heavens1 but having unequal motions1 vary with respect to their relative situations2 the fixed stars1 on the contrary1 always bear the same local relation to each other4 ,the chariot1 for instance1 that you may distinguish1 formed of those seven stars1 has always had that configuration1 and is likely to retain it2 but the moon sometimes approaches nearer to the sun2 sometimes retreats farther from it2 the same is observed of the other planets4 ,such were the observations made by the ,chaldean shepherds whose continual leisure enabled them to give so much attention to the heavenly bodies as to form the rudiments of astronomy1 for we learn that that science took its rise in ,chaldea1#g as ,geometry was first studied in ,egypt1 where the inundations of the ,nile destroyed the boundaries of different possessions1 made the inhabitants desirous of exact measures by which they could again separate their own lands from those of their neighbours4 ,thus astronomy is the offspring of idleness1 geometry of interest2 and if we enquire into the origin of poetry1 we shall probably find that she is the daughter of love4 ,footnote #f3 ,in #agha1 ,m4 ,herschel discovered a sixth4 ,astronomy by ,lalande1 third edition1 #agib1 ,vol4 #a1 ,art4 #aaf4 ,footnote #g3 ,perhaps in ,ethiopia4 ,astronomy1 ,art4 #bfj4 ,i am glad1 said the ,marchioness1 you have given me this genealogy of the sciences2 astronomy is the only one that will suit me3 geometry1 according to your account of it1 requires a more selfish heart than mine2 and ,i have not susceptibility enough to attempt poetry with success2 ,i have1 however1 as much leisure as can be needful for the study of astronomy2 it is another favourable circumstance that we are in the country1 leading a pastoral life4 ,do not mistake madam1 answered ,i1 talking of planets and fixed stars is not all that constitutes a pastoral life4 ,was the conversation of the shepherds1 in the golden age1 confined to astronomy8 ,ah1 said she1 but it would be dangerous to conform one's mode of life to their's4 ,no1 that of the other shepherds you mention appears preferable to me2 therefore let us converse1 if you please1 in the ,chaldean style4 ,after this disposition of the stars was remarked1 what followed8 ,the next thing1 ,i replied1 was to imagine the arrangement of the different parts of the universe2 that is what the learned call making a system4 ,but before ,i explain to you the first of these systems1 give me leave to premise that we are all naturally disposed to the same sort of madness as a certain ,athenian of whom you have heard1 who had taken it in his head that every vessel which went into the port of ,pyreum belonged to him4 ,we chuse to believe that every thing in creation is destined to our service2 and when we enquire of some philosophers the use of such a prodigious number of fixed stars1 of which a smaller proportion would have been sufficient for all the offices they appear to perform2 they coolly answer1 they were made to gratify our sight4 ,on this selfish principle it was for a long time supposed that the earth was motionless in the midst of the universe1 whilst all the heavenly bodies were created for the sole purpose of journeying round1 and distributing their light to her4 ,next to the earth they placed the moon1 after the moon1 ,mercury1 then ,venus1 the ,sun1 ,mars1 ,jupiter1 ,saturn2 beyond all these the firmament of fixed stars4 ,it was imagined that the earth was stationed exactly in the middle of the circles described by these planets which extended in proportion to their distance from the earth1 and that consequently the most remote planets required a longer time to perform their revolutions1 which certainly is true4 ,but1 interrupted the ,marchioness1 ,i can't see why you should disapprove such an arrangement of the universe1 it appears to me sufficiently commodious and intelligible1 ,i really feel quite satisfied with it4 ,i have taken pains1 answered ,i1 to represent this system in the most favourable point of view2 if ,i were to explain it exactly as it was conceived by ,ptolemy the author of it1 and his disciples1 you would be quite shocked4 ,as the motions of the planets are irregular1 being sometimes quicker1 sometimes slower2 going sometimes in one direction1 sometimes in another2 now nearer to the earth1 then at a greater distance from it2 the ancients figured to themselves an endless number of circles intersecting each other1 by which they endeavoured to understand the great variety of movements4 ,the confusion1 however1 caused by such an infinity of circles was so perplexing that1 at the time no better system was known1 one of the kings of ,castile1#h a profound mathematician1 was daring enough to say1 that if the supreme ,being had consulted him when he created the world1 he would have given him some good advice4 ,we are filled with horror at the impiety of this expression1 but it serves to shew us how absurd must have been the hypothesis which could prompt it4 ,the advice this man wished to have given1 undoubtedly regarded the suppression of so many circles1 which did but prevent the planetary motions from being understood4 ,probably he would likewise have expunged from the system two or three superfluous firmaments1 supposed to be above the fixed stars4 ,the philosophers1 to explain some particular motion of the heavenly bodies1 placed1 beyond the heaven that bounds our view1 a sky of crystal1 which communicated this motion to the lower sky4 ,was a new movement discovered8 they had nothing to do but to form a second crystal firmament4 ,in short skies of crystal were made without any trouble4 ,why did they always chuse crystal8 enquired the ,marchioness2 would nothing else have answered the purpose as well8 ,no1 answered ,i1 it was necessary to have a substance1 at once transparent and solid1 for it was ,aristotle's opinion that solidity was essential to the dignity of their nature1 and as this was believed by a great man1 nobody thought of doubting it4 ,but since that time comets have been seen which1 being higher than was formerly imagined1 must have broken all the crystal of these skies1 in passing through them1 and by that mean1 thrown the universe into confusion2 it was therefore found necessary to change the matter of which these firmaments were composed1 into a fluid1 such as air4 ,footnote #h3 ,alphonsus1 king of ,castile died in #abhd4 ,it is now discovered with certainty1 by the researches of later ages1 that ,venus and ,mercury turn round the ,sun1 and not round the earth1 on this subject the ancient system is absolutely exploded4 ,i will now acquaint you with another which provides for every difficulty1 one that does not require any amendments of the king of ,castile1 for its simplicity is so charming that one cannot refuse to believe it4 ,yours1 interrupted the ,marchioness1 seems a sort of bargaining philosophy2 whoever offers a system that is effected at the least expense1 has the preference4 ',tis true1 said ,i2 we have no other chance of understanding the plan by which the operations of nature are carried on4 ,nature is a wonderful economist2 if a work is to be effected1 and two ways are practicable1 we may be sure she will adopt that which costs her the least1 however trifling the difference4 ,this economy is notwithstanding in every respect consistent with the surprising magnificence which appears in all her productions4 ,magnificence is employed in the design1 and frugality in the execution of it4 ,nothing should excite our admiration so much as a stupendous project effected by simple means3 but we are apt to cherish ideas of a very different kind4 ,we place the frugality in the designs of nature1 and her grandeur in the execution4 ,we imagine her forming a contracted plan1 and executing it with ten times the labour that is requisite3 what can be so ridiculous8 ,i hope1 she replied1 that the system you are going to explain will strictly imitate nature2 the simplicity you so admire will spare me a great deal of trouble in comprehending your instructions4 ,your hope will be realized1 said ,i1 we have now no useless incumbrances4 ,at the appearance of a certain ,german named ,copernicus1#i astronomy became simplified2 he destroyed all the unnecessary circles1 and crushed to pieces the crystalline firmaments4#aj ,animated with philosophic enthusiasm1 he dislodged the earth from the central situation which had been assigned it1 and in its room placed the sun1 who was more worthy of such a mark of distinction4 ,the planets were no longer supposed to perform their revolutions round the earth1 and enclose it in the centre of their orbits4 ,if they afford us light it is as it were by chance1 and in consequence of passing us in their course4 ,they all turn around the sun2 the earth itself not excepted2 and as a punishment for the indolent repose it had been thought to enjoy1 ,copernicus made it take an ample share of the general activity3 in short of all these celestial attendants1 appointed for the service of our little globe1 the moon alone is left to move round it4 ,stop a moment1 said the ,marchioness1 your imagination is so elevated with your subject1 you have explained it in such pompous language1 that ,i believe ,i have scarcely understood you4 ,the sun1 you say1 is immoveable in the centre of the universe2 which of the planets is next in succession8 ',tis ,mercury1 ,i replied4 ,mercury goes regularly round the ,sun in nearly a circular orbit1 of which that luminary is the central point4 ,next to ,mercury is ,venus1 which turns in the same manner round the ,sun4 ,afterwards comes the ,earth1 and being higher than ,mercury and ,venus1 describes a larger circle round the ,sun than either of those planets4 ,then follow ,mars1 ,jupiter and ,saturn1 in the order ,i have named them2 thus you see the circle of ,saturn must be the most extensive of all2 it likewise requires a longer time than the other planets to perform its revolution4 ,but1 exclaimed she1 you have forgotten the moon4 ,i shall recollect it presently1 said ,i2 the moon never abandons the earth1 but is constantly going round it2 but as the earth is continually moving onwards in a circle round the sun1 the moon at once follows its motion1 and revolves round it2 this attendant planet1 therefore only goes round the sun in consequence of invariably continuing near to the earth4 ,footnote #i3 ,he was born in #adgb1 at ,thorn1 in ,prussia ,royal3 he died in #aedc4 ,footnote #aj3 ,several of the ancients were of opinion that we should admit the motion of the earth4 ,astron4 ,art4 #ajge4 ,i understand you1 said she1 and ,i love the moon for remaining attached to us when we were forsaken by all the other planets4 ,confess that if your ,german could have alienated that too1 he would have done it without regret2 for one may see1 in every part of his hypothesis1 that he was but little inclined to favour the earth4 ,he did well1 ,i replied1 to humble the vanity of men who chuse to claim the best situation in the universe2 'tis with pleasure ,i consider the world mixing in the crowd of planets4 ,pshaw6 cried the ,marchioness2 do you think vanity can have any thing to do with a system of astronomy8 ,do you suppose ,i feel humbler for knowing that the earth goes round the sun8 ,i assure you ,i esteem myself just as highly as ,i did before4 ,certainly1 madam1 ,i answered1 men would be less concerned about the rank they held in the universe than that they enjoyed amongst their associates2 neither would the disputes of two planets1 for precedence1 be so important in their judgement as those of two ambassadors4 ,nevertheless1 the same disposition which induces a man of the world to aspire after the most honourable place in a room1 will make a philosopher desirous of placing the globe on which he lives in the most distinguished situation in the universe4 ,he likes to consider every thing made for his use2 he encourages1 without being aware of his vanity1 so flattering an opinion1 and his heart becomes deeply engaged about an affair of mere speculation4 ,upon my word1 she exclaimed1 you are calumniating human nature--how happened it that the opinions of ,copernicus were received1 since they are so very humiliating8 ,copernicus1 answered ,i1 was himself very doubtful of the reception they would meet with3 it was a long while before he could resolve to publish his system2 at last1 however1 he yielded to the entreaty of several distinguished characters2 but what do you think was the consequence8--on the day they took him the first printed copy of his book1 he died3 so he made use of the shortest way to escape from all the contradictions he had been anticipating4 ,listen to me1 said the ,marchioness3 let us be just to every body3 it certainly is difficult to imagine we turn round the sun1 for we never change places2 we rise in the morning where we went to rest at night----,i see from your look that you are going to tell me1 that as the earth moves altogether----4 ,assuredly1 said ,i1 it is the same thing as going to sleep in a boat which was sailing down a river2 on waking1 you would find yourself in the same boat1 and in the same part of the boat4 ,yes1 replied she1 but here is a difference2 when ,i awoke ,i should find an alteration in the shore1 and that would prove that the boat had changed its place3 it is not so with respect to the earth1 ,i there find every thing as ,i left it4 ,no1 no1 madam1 you may observe an alteration in the shore1 as you do in the boat3 you will recollect that beyond all the planets are the fixed stars1 these are what we must consider the objects on the shore4 ,i am on the earth2 the earth describes a large circle round the sun2 when ,i look to the middle of this circle ,i find the sun1 and were not its brightness so dazzling as to render the stars invisible1 ,i should constantly see1 by looking beyond the centre1 some of the fixed stars opposite to the sun2 by viewing them however at night1 ,i can easily determine how they were situated in the day1 which renders my observations equally accurate4 ,if the earth remained in the same place ,i should always find the same fixed stars answering to the situation of the sun1 but as the earth moves on in her orbit1 ,i necessarily see other fixed stars at the point which ,i had before examined4 ,such is our shore1 which is every day varying2 and as the earth goes round the sun in a year1 ,i observe the sun1 during that space of time1 successively answering to different fixed stars which compose a circle2 this circle is called the ,zodiac2 shall ,i shew it you by tracing a figure on the earth8 ,no1 said she1 ,i can dispense with that2 it would give my park too learned an appearance4 ,i think ,i have heard that a philosopher1 shipwrecked on an island with which he was unacquainted1 cried out to his companions on perceiving some lines and circles drawn on the sand2 courage1 my friends6 the island is inhabited2 here are the footsteps of men4 ,you must consider that such footsteps ought not to be seen here4 ,it would certainly1 ,i replied be more in character1 to trace only the footsteps of lovers2 that is to say1 your name1 engraved by your adorers on the bark of every tree4 ,no more of adorers1 cried she2 let us talk of the sun4 ,i understand perfectly why we imagined it performing the revolution which is merely effected by our own motion1 but this circle requires a year2 how1 then1 does the sun appear to go round us every day8 ,you undoubtedly know1 ,i replied1 that if a ball were rolled along this walk it would have two sorts of motion2 it would go towards the end of the walk1 and at the same time turn several times on its own axis1 so that the side of the ball which is at first uppermost will presently descend1 and the other1 of course1 rise to the top4 ,this is the case with the earth3 whilst she is proceeding1 through the year1 in her orbit round the sun1 she turns on her own axis every twenty-four hours3 each part1 therefore1 of the earth loses1 and recovers sight of the sun during that time4 ,when in the morning we turn towards the sun1 it seems to rise2 and when1 by continued rotation1 we again are more distant from it1 it appears to descend4 ,that's curious enough1 said she2 the earth undertakes every thing1 and the sun does nothing at all3 and when the moon1 the other planets1 and the fixed stars appear to pass over us in four-and-twenty hours1 it is merely imagination4 ,exactly so1 ,i replied1 and produced by the same cause4 ,the planets perform their revolutions round the sun in unequal periods of time1 in consequence of their different distances from it2 and one which we see to day answer to a certain point in the zodiac1 or circle of fixed stars1 will to-morrow at the same hour answer to some other point3 this is the effect both of the progress which the planet has made in its orbit and of that which we have made in ours4 ,we move onward2 the other planets do the same1 but we do not continue all in a line3 this occasions us to see them in such different situations1 and renders their course apparently irregular4 ,you now understand that such irregularity depends only on the different points from which we view them1 and that1 in reality all their movements are directed by the most exact order4 ,it may be so1 answered the ,marchioness2 but ,i should be glad if their order did not cost the earth so much3 you seem to have very little consideration for it1 and to require an astonishing agility in so large a body4 ,but1 said ,i1 do you think it more reasonable for the sun1 and all the other heavenly bodies1 which are extremely large1 to perform in four-and-twenty hours an immense journey round the earth8 ,that the fixed stars1 being in the largest circle1 should travel1 in the course of a day1 more than twenty-seven thousand six hundred and sixty times two hundred millions of leagues8#aa ,all this must be if the earth does not turn on her axis every twenty-four hours4 ,surely there is much more rationality in supposing our globe to turn1 which would give to each part but a journey of nine thousand leagues4 ,consider what a trifle are nine thousand in comparison of the terrific number ,i have just mentioned4 ,footnote #aa3 ,according to later calculations1 it would be a thousand millions of times a million of leagues2 but a person who did not believe the motion of the earth would have no occasion to admit this prodigious distance4 ,oh6 replied the ,marchioness2 the sun and stars are made of fire1 a swift motion is nothing to them1 but the earth does not seem formed for motion4 ,and should you think1 ,i answered1 if experience had not proved the fact1 that a large ship1 carrying a hundred and fifty pieces of cannon1 three thousand men1 and a heavy freight of merchandize1 could be formed for motion8--,yet a gentle breeze is sufficient to move it forwards1 because the water1 being liquid1 and easily divided1 makes a very slight resistance to the progress of the ship1 or if it be in the middle of a river1 it follows without difficulty the current of the water1 since there is then no impediment4 ,in like manner the earth1 notwithstanding its weight1 is with facility carried through the sky which is infinitely more fluid than water1 and which fills the immense space occupied by all the planets4 ,to what could the earth be fastened so strongly as to resist the current of this celestial fluid and remain motionless8 ,we might as well imagine a little wooden ball could resist the tide of a river4 ,but1 said she1 how can a body so ponderous as the earth be suspended in your celestial fluid1 which from its great fluidity must be extremely light8 ,it does not follow1 ,i replied1 that a substance must be extremely light because it is fluid4 ,what do you think of the great ship we have been talking of1 which1 with all its lading1 is lighter than the water that supports it8 ,i won't have any more to say to you1 answered she1 half angrily1 if you mention your ship again4#ab ,but tell me1 is it not dangerous to inhabit such a whirli-gig as you represent the earth8 ,if you are afraid1 said ,i1 let us have the world supported by four elephants1 as the ,indians do4 ,well6 cried she1 here is a new system4 ,i like those people for providing such good foundations for the earth to rest on1 whilst we ,copernicans are imprudent enough to swim at random in this celestial fluid4 ,i dare say if the ,indians knew there was the least danger of the earth's being moved1 they would double the number of elephants4 ,footnote #ab3 ,the ,marchioness was in the right not to listen to such an answer4 ,it is absurd to pretend that the therial fluid1 so light and rare1 can be capable of bearing along those enormous masses1 the planets4 ,it would be worth while1 ,i replied1 laughing at the thought1 we must not be sparing of elephants if they can enable us to sleep in peace2 if you would find them serviceable to-night we'll put as many as you please1 and then remove them one or two at a time as you find your courage return4 ,no1 said she1 ,i don't think there is any need for them1 and to speak seriously1 ,i feel courageous enough to let the world turn round4 ,and ,i can venture to predict1 answered ,i1 that in a little while its turning will give you pleasure2 will even inspire the most delightful ideas1 ,i sometimes imagine myself raised above the surface of the earth1 and remaining motionless whilst its daily rotation continues4 ,all the different inhabitants pass in review2 some fair1 some copper-coloured1 some black4 ,now ,i see heads covered with hats2 then with turbans2 some shaven1 others with flowing hair4 ,as the towns pass before me1 ,i observe some have steeples1 some long spires with crosses on them1 others are ornamented with towers of porcelaine4 ,then ,i behold large countries with no other buildings than little huts3 afterwards1 immense seas2 then frightful deserts2 and in short1 all the boundless variety which is to be found on the face of the earth4 ,really1 she replied1 it would be worth while to devote four-and-twenty hours to such a sight4 ,if ,i understand you1 when we move1 other countries with their inhabitants pass into the situation we are leaving1 and so on1 till in four-and-twenty hours we again arrive at the same place4 ,copernicus himself1 said ,i1 could not have comprehended it more clearly4 ,the first that would succeed us#ac would be the ,english3 we should probably find them arguing on some political topic with less gaiety than we are discussing our philosophy4 ,when we had dismissed them we should discover a vast sea1#ad on which perhaps would be some vessel1 less at her ease than we4 ,then come the ,iroquois1 eating one of their prisoners of war1 who does not even utter a groan though still alive when they begin to devour him4#ae ,after them the women of ,jesso1 who employ all their time in preparing victuals for their husbands1 and painting their lips and eye-brows blue to appear handsome in the eyes of the most disgusting men in the world4 ,then the ,tartars1 very devoutly going on a pilgrimage to their high priest1 who dwells in an obscure recess1 enlightened only by lamps1 the rays of which direct these votaries to the object of their adoration4 ,afterwards the beautiful ,circassians who make no ceremony of granting all their favours to the first that solicits them1 except what they believe the essential prerogative of their husbands4 ,then the inhabitants of ,little ,tartary1 who go to steal women for the ,turks and ,persians4 ,last of all our countrymen1 whom we should find entertaining each other with the vagaries of their imagination4 ,footnote #ac3 ,to speak more properly they would be one hundred leagues northward4 ,footnote #ad3 ,the ,atlantic4 ,footnote #ae3 ,we should next see the ,pacific ,ocean4 ,it is amusing enough1 said the ,marchioness1 to fancy oneself in a situation to see all these things3 but if ,i were taking the view ,i should wish for the power of hastening or retarding the earth's motion1 according to the feelings with which each object inspired me3 ,i assure you ,i should soon push on those that argued on politics1 and the others that devoured their enemies2 but there are some of the people you have been speaking of that would excite my curiosity2 the handsome ,circassians1 for instance1 whose customs are so peculiar4 ,but a serious difficulty occurs to me respecting your system4 ,if the earth turns1 we every moment change our atmosphere1 and respire that of a new climate4 ,by no means1 madam1 ,i replied2 the air which surrounds the earth rises only to a certain height1 twenty leagues perhaps at farthest2#af this atmosphere always turns with us4 ,you have doubtless observed the sort of shell in which a silk-worm imprisons itself1 and which it forms with such astonishing art4 ,it is composed of silk closely woven1 but covered with a light down4 ,thus it is with regard to the earth1 it is a solid body covered with an atmosphere extending to a certain height1 which adheres to1 and moves with it1 as the down does with the firmer substance beneath it4 ,above our atmosphere is the celestial matter1 incomparably more pure1 subtile and active than air4 ,footnote #af3 ,even at two leagues it is no longer discernible4 ,you represent the earth in a very contemptible light1 said the ,marchioness4 ,nevertheless on this silk-worm's shell we find stupendous works1 furious wars1 and universal agitation4 ,yes1 answered ,i1 and while all this is going on1 nature1 who does not concern herself about such frivolous things1 carries us all along1 with an uninterrupted motion1 and amuses herself with the little ball4 ,it appears very ridiculous1 replied she1 to give way to so much anxiety1 whilst one is living on a thing that is perpetually turning2 but unfortunately we are not assured that it does turn1 for1 to tell you the truth1 all the precautions you take to convince me that we should not feel its motion are unsatisfactory4 ,how could it avoid giving some indication by which we should be sensible of it8#ag ,the most common and natural motions1 said ,i1 are the least felt3 this observation is true even in a moral sense3 the motions of self-love are so frequent in our minds1 that for the most part we are not sensible of them1 but believe ourselves actuated by other principles4 ,ah6 you are beginning to moralize1 said she2 moralizing and explaining natural philosophy are a little different2 ,i fancy you grow tired of your subject3 let us return home1 we have had enough for the first lecture4 ,to-morrow we will come here again--you with your systems1 and ,i with my ignorance4 ,footnote #ag3 ,there are several2 one of them is the aberration of the stars4 ,astron4 ,book xvii4 ,in our way to the house1 to give her a complete history of systems1 ,i told her that a third had been invented by ,ticho ,brahe1 who1 from a determination to keep the earth in a state of rest1 placed her in the centre of the universe1 making the sun revolve round her1 and the planets round the sun2 for in consequence of some discoveries which had been lately made1 he found it impossible to make the planets go round the earth4 ,the ,marchioness1 with her usual discernment1 concluded that it was mere whim to exempt the earth from moving round the sun1 when so many other larger bodies were allowed to perform the revolution2 that the sun was rendered more unfit for turning round the earth when incumbered with the other planets1 and in short that this system was only calculated to support a prejudice in favour of the earth's immobility1#ah without offering any thing to convince the judgment2 we therefore resolved to retain that of ,copernicus1 which is more uniform and pleasing1 and at the same time unmixed with prejudice4 ,in fact its simplicity convinces1 whilst its boldness excites admiration4 ,footnote #ah3 ,the ridiculous system of ,ticho was invented out of respect to the holy scriptures1 not considering that their object was more important than the refutation of popular errors on natural philosophy4 ,,second ,,evening4 ,,the ,,moon ,,is ,a ,,habitable ,,globe4 ,the next morning as soon as the ,marchioness was awake1 ,i sent to enquire how she did1 and whether she had been able to sleep whilst the globe was turning8 ,i received for answer1 that she already felt quite accustomed to the motion2 and had slept as undisturbedly as ,copernicus himself4 ,soon afterwards1 some company came to spend the whole day with her2 a tiresome custom which is always observed in the country2 yet long as the visit was1 we considered it a great kindness in the guests1 not to prolong it to the next day2 which ,i find is a common practice in this part of the world3 however1 as they had the civility to leave us1 the ,marchioness and ,i had the evening to ourselves4 ,we immediately went to the park and resumed our astronomical conversation4 ,she understood so perfectly all ,i had said on the former evening1 that she disdained to hear any repetition of the subject1 and desired me to enter on a new one4--,well then1 said ,i1 since the sun1 which we concluded is immovable1 can no longer be considered a planet2 and the earth is proved to be one1 and to move round the sun2 you will be the less surprised to hear1 that the moon is a world like ours2 and to all appearance1 inhabited4--,i never heard speak of peopling the moon2 she replied1 but as a ridiculous1 visionary hypothesis4--,it may be so1 answered ,i2 ,i only adopt the interest of any party1 in these cases1 as people do in civil wars2 in which the uncertainty of the event1 induces them to hold a correspondence with opposite sides1 and even1 when possible1 with their enemies4 ,for my part1 though ,i believe the moon is inhabited1 ,i can be very civil to any one that disbelieves it2 and ,i always retain the power of going over to their side without disgracing myself1 if ,i found they had the advantage3 but in the present state of the question ,i have the following reasons for thinking the moon is inhabited4 ,let us suppose that no communication had ever been carried on between ,paris and ,st4 ,dennis2 and that a ,parisian who had never gone out of his own city should stand on one of the towers of ,notre-,dame1 and at that distance view ,st4 ,dennis3 were he asked if he believed that ,st4 ,dennis was inhabited like ,paris1 he would without hesitation answer1 ,no2 ,i see inhabitants in ,paris1 but ,i can discover none at ,st4 ,dennis1 nor did ,i ever hear of any being there4 ,somebody standing by1 might answer1 that we certainly cannot see them from the towers of ,notre-,dame1 but that is1 because we are at too great a distance2 that from all we can discern of ,st4 ,dennis it is very much like ,paris2 that it has steeples1 houses1 walls2 and therefore is very probably inhabited4 ,all this makes no impression on our citizen2 he insists upon it that ,st4 ,dennis is uninhabited because he does not see any body in it4 ,the moon is our ,st4 ,dennis1 and each of us is this ,parisian who has never left the city in which he resides4 ,oh6 you wrong us1 interrupted the ,marchioness2 we are not so stupid as your citizen2 when he sees that ,st4 ,dennis is constructed exactly on the same plan as ,paris1 he must be out of his senses not to believe it inhabited3 but the moon is very different from the earth4 ,be cautious1 madam1 said ,i2 if the moon's resemblance to the earth prove it habitable1 ,i shall force you to believe that it is inhabited4 ,i confess1 answered she1 that if you can shew me the similarity1 ,i cannot pretend to deny its being inhabited1 and ,i see so much confidence in your looks that ,i am afraid you will be triumphant4 ,the two different motions of the earth1 which ,i never before knew any thing about1 make me fearful of hastily rejecting any other opinion2 but still1 can it be possible that the earth is luminous like the moon8--that you know is essential to their similarity4 ,indeed1 madam1 ,i replied1 the luminous quality of planets depends on less than you imagine4 ,the sun alone is1 in his nature1 luminous2 but the planets only reflect the light they receive from him4 ,he enlightens the moon2 the moon reflects his rays on the earth1 and the earth is undoubtedly in the same manner a source of light to the moon2 it is not farther from us to the moon1 than from the moon to us4 ,but1 enquired the ,marchioness1 is the earth equally capable of reflecting the sun's light8 ,i see1 answered ,i1 you have an invincible partiality for the moon4 ,light is composed of globules which rebound from a solid substance1 but pass through any thing in which they find interstices1 such as air or glass3 the moon1 therefore1 gives us light in consequence of being a hard1 solid body1 which sends back these globules4 ,i suppose you will not dispute the hardness and solidity of the earth4 ,see then the effect of an advantageous situation--because the moon is at a distance we only view her as a luminous body instead of a large mass of matter similar to the earth4 ,our globe1 on the contrary1 from having the ill luck to be more closely inspected1 appears only a mass of dark soil1 fit for nothing but to produce food for animals2 we do not perceive the splendour of her light1 because we cannot remove to a distance from her4 ,so it is1 answered the ,marchioness1 with the different ranks of society3 we are dazzled with the grandeur of situations superior to our own1 without considering how much every condition of human life resembles all the rest4 ',tis precisely the same thing1 ,i replied2 we take upon us to decide on every thing1 but we are never in a proper place for making our observations4 ,we would form an opinion of ourselves1 and we are too near2 we would judge of others2 they are too distant from our view4 ,we should be placed between the earth and the moon to form a just comparison2 a spectator1 not an inhabitant of the world4 ,i shall be inconsolable for the injustice we do our world1 said she1 and the partial regard we have for the moon1 unless you can assure me that the inhabitants of that planet are as ignorant of their advantages1 and consider our globe a luminous body1 without knowing that from their own we derive so much light4 ,i can make you easy on that head1 answered ,i2 we are certainly a luminary to them3 they do not1 it is true1 see us describe a circle round them1#ai but that does not signify4 ,the reason of our appearing to remain in the same place is this2--the side of the moon which was turned towards us at the creation1 has always continued so2 we always observe the same eyes1 mouth1 and other features of the face which1 by the help of imagination1 we have contrived out of the spots on her surface4#bj ,if the other half were presented to us1 we should see spots arranged in a different form3 this does not arise from the moon's not turning on her axis2 she turns in the same time that is employed in going round the earth1 that is1 a month2 but whilst she is performing part of her revolution on her axis1 she at the same time performs an equal part of her circle round the earth1 and thus1 by putting herself in a new situation1 continues to shew the same side3 therefore although with regard to the sun and the rest of the heavenly bodies the moon evidently turns on her axis1 yet when viewed from the earth she does not appear to do so4 ,all the other luminaries seem to the moon to rise and set in the space of a fortnight1 but she constantly sees our globe in the same part of the heavens4#ba ,this apparent immobility1 were it invariable1 would be thought inconsistent with the nature of a planet2 but the moon has a sort of vibratory motion which sometimes conceals a small part of the face1 and exhibits a part of the other side4 ,now1 ,i can venture to say that the inhabitants attribute this motion to us1 and imagine that we vibrate in the heavens1 like a pendulum4 ,footnote #ai3 ,this is an error1 for if they consider the earth's situation relatively to the firmament1 they must see that she performs a revolution in twenty-seven days3 they certainly always find her answer to their zenith1 or at the same distance from the zenith1 but at the same time this zenith is continually answering to some new point in the heavens4 ,footnote #bj3 ,when the moon is viewed through a telescope its spots bear no resemblance to the human face2 but on contemplating it with the naked eye1 it is easy to imagine that form2 and it is become so common to talk of the face on the moon1 that even an astronomer can hardly divest himself of the idea4 ,footnote #ba3 ,the earth always answers to one side of the moon1 but not the same point in the sky4 ,all the planets1 said the ,marchioness1 are like us human beings1 who always attribute to others what belongs to ourselves4 ,the earth says2 it is not ,i who turn1 it is the sun4 ,the moon says2 it is not ,i who vibrate1 but the earth3 there is error throughout4 ,i would not advise you to attempt making any reform1 answered ,i2 you had better consider the remaining proofs of the resemblance which the earth and moon bear to each other4 ,figure to yourself those two globes suspended in the heavens4 ,you know the sun always enlightens one half of a circular body1 whilst the other half remains in the shade4 ,there is then one half of both the earth and the moon1 which is enlightened by the sun1 or in other words1 in which it is day1 and the other half in which it is night4 ,observe likewise that as a ball moves with less force and celerity after it has struck against a wall from which it flies off to an opposite place1 so the light is weaker when reflected to us from a body that only receives it4 ,the pale light of the moon is in reality the brilliancy of the sun1 but as we receive it merely by reflection1 in coming to us1 it is deprived of its strength4 ,of course1 it shines with much greater splendour on the moon1 and for the same reason the dazzling light received by our globe1 from the sun1 must appear faint1 when reflected back to the moon4 ,that part of the moon which to us appears luminous during the night1 is the side which has day-light2 and the part of the earth which is illuminated by the day1 when turned toward the dark side of the moon1 affords equal light to her4 ,all this depends on the mutual position of the earth and moon4 ,during the first days of the month1 when the moon is not discernible1 she is placed between the sun and us1 and proceeding in the day time with the sun3 the luminous side is therefore necessarily turned to the sun1 whilst the dark part is towards the earth4 ,we are unable to see the unenlightened side of the moon1 but this dark half viewing the part of our globe in which it is day1 is assisted by our light1 and though invisible to us1 has the advantage of seeing the earth as a full moon3 it is then to the lunar inhabitants full-earth1 if ,i may so express myself4#bb ,after this1 the moon advancing in her monthly round1 and no longer between the sun and earth1 turns towards us a small part of her enlightened half1 and that we call the crescent4 ,at the same time that part of the moon which is involved in the obscurity of night1 ceases so see all the luminous side of the earth1 and finds it continue to decrease4 ,footnote #bb3 ,we have a convincing proof of the light reflected from the earth at this time1 in the dusky light perceived on a part of the moon that is not enlightened by the sun4 ,astron4 ,art4 #adab4 ,enough--said the ,marchioness1 in her lively manner2 ,i shall easily learn the rest when ,i like3 let me stop a moment1 and trace the moon through her monthly circle4 ,i see that in general that planet and the earth have very different degrees of light1 and ,i imagine that when we have the full-moon all the luminous side of the moon is turned toward all the part of our globe which is obscure2 and that1 at that time1 the inhabitants cannot discern us at all1 but say they have new-earth4 ,i should not chuse to be obnoxious to reproach for obliging you to enter into a long explanation of any thing so easily understood1 but the eclipses--how are they effected8 ,you could guess it without difficulty1 ,i replied4 ,when we have a new moon1 and she1 being between us and the sun1 presents her dark side to our luminous half1 the shadow of this obscure part falls on the earth2 so that wherever the moon is in a direct line under the sun1 she hides that luminary from our sight1 and darkens a part of the enlightened side of our globe2 this1 then1 forms an eclipse of the sun to us during the day-time1 and an eclipse of the earth to the moon during her night4 ,when the moon is at the full1 the earth is between her and the sun1 the shaded side of the earth towards the light side of the moon4 ,if the earth's shadow fall directly on the moon1 it darkens the luminous half that we see2 'tis then we have an eclipse of the moon in our night1 and the moon1 an eclipse of the sun in her day4 ,what prevents an eclipse every time the moon is between the sun and us1 or the earth between the sun and moon1 is this2 it often happens that these three bodies are not placed exactly in a line1 in which case the one that would occasion the eclipse throws its shadow on one side of the other and consequently does not obstruct its light4 ,i am very much astonished1 said the ,marchioness1 that there is so little mystery in eclipses1 and that being produced by such simple means1 every body does not discover the cause of them4 ,in truth1 answered ,i1 there are many people1 who from the emotions they feel at one of these phenomena1 appear to have little chance of finding out the occasion of them at present4 ,throughout the ,east-,indies1 when the sun and moon are eclipsed1 the inhabitants believe that a great dragon with his black claws is going to seize these luminaries2 and all the time the eclipse lasts1 you may see whole rivers covered with the heads of these ,indians1 who have put themselves up to the throat in water1 because1 according to their notions1 this is a very religious act1 and will induce the sun or moon to defend itself bravely against the dragon4 ,in ,america1 it was thought that the sun and moon were angry when they were eclipsed1 and every kind of absurdity was practised to regain their favour4 ,the ,grecians too1 who had arrived at such a height of refinement--did they not1 for a long time1 believe that the moon was eclipsed by the power of sorcery1 and that the magicians caused her to descend from the skies and cast a baneful influence on the herbs8 ,and were not we likewise in great alarm1 but two-and-thirty years ago1#bc at a total eclipse of the sun8 ,did not an immense number of people shut themselves up in caves and cellars2 and were they easily persuaded to leave them by the philosophers who wrote so much to re-assure them8 ,footnote #bc3 #afed4 ,there have been others in ,europe in #agbd1 #agae1 and #agaf4 ,really1 replied she1 all that is too ridiculous4 ,there ought to be a decree passed to prevent any body from ever talking of eclipses1 lest the memory of these follies should be perpetuated4 ,the decree1 said ,i1 should extend so far as to obliterate the memory of every subject1 for ,i can think of nothing in the world which is not the monument of some human folly4 ,answer me this question1 said the ,marchioness3--,are the inhabitants of the moon as much afraid of eclipses as those of the earth8 ,how ridiculous it is if the ,indians of that world put themselves up to the chin in water2 if the ,americans believe the earth is angry with them2 if the ,greeks imagine we are enchanted1 and suppose we shall injure their herbs2 and in short1 if we are inflicting on them all the terror they have caused us8 ,i have no doubt but that is the case1 answered ,i2 for why should the good folks in the moon have more sense than we8 ,what right have they to frighten us1 unless we can frighten them8 ,i dare say1 added ,i1 laughing2 that1 as a prodigious number of men have been1 and still are1 silly enough to worship the moon2 so there are some in the moon that pay their adorations to the earth1 and that they are kneeling to one another4 ,if it be so1 she replied1 we may pretend to have an influence on the moon1 and to produce the crisis in the diseases of her sick people1 but as a little common sense in the dwellers on that globe would be sufficient to destroy all these honours1 ,i must confess ,i am afraid they will have the advantage over us4 ,don't alarm yourself1 said ,i2 'tis not probable that we are the only fools in the universe4 ,there is something in ignorance that is calculated for general reception1 and though ,i can only guess the character of the people in question1 yet ,i have no more doubt1 that could we form the comparison1 we should find ourselves equal to them1 than ,i have that the accounts are true that we receive of their globe4 ,what accounts do you receive enquired she4 ,those1 ,i replied1 that are given us by the learned who travel there every day by the assistance of telescopes4 ,they tell us that they have discovered in the moon earth1 seas1 lakes1 elevated mountains1 and profound abysses4 ,you astonish me1 cried the ,marchioness3 ,i cannot imagine the possibility of discovering mountains and abysses1 from the great irregularity they cause on the surface of the globe2 but how do they distinguish earth from sea8 ,because1 answered ,i1 the water1#bd by suffering part of the light to pass through it1 and consequently reflecting less than the earth1 has1 at a distance1 the appearance of dark spots2 whilst the solid parts1 by reflecting all the light1 look much more brilliant4 ,the illustrious ,m4 ,cassini1 who has acquired a greater knowledge of the celestial bodies than any man in the world1 discovered in the moon something which separates1 then re-unites1 and afterwards loses itself in a cavity4 ,we have reason to believe1 from its appearance that this is a river4 ,in short all these different parts are now so well known to us1 that they have been named after our great men4 ,one place is called ,copernicus1 another ,archimedes1 another ,gabileus4 ,other parts have fancy names2 there is a promontory of decams1 a sea of nectar1 and so on2 in fact our description of the moon is so particular1 that if a learned man was to take a journey there1 he would be in no more danger of losing himself than ,i should in ,paris4 ,footnote #bd3 ,it is proved that there is no water in the moon1 but there are volcanoes2 they may even be seen without a telescope1 which was the case on the #gth of ,march1 #agid4 ,philos4 ,trans4 ,but1 said she1 ,i should like to have a more detailed account of the interior of the country4 ,the gentlemen of the observatory are not able to give it you1 ,i replied2 you must make enquiry of ,astolfo1 who was taken to the moon by ,st4 ,john4 ,that is one of the pleasantest follies of ,ariosto1 ,i'm sure you will be amused with it4 ,i confess it would have been better if he had not introduced in it so respectable a name as that of ,st4 ,john2 poets1 however1 will take licenses1 and we may venture to excuse this1 for the whole poem is dedicated to a cardinal1 and one of our popes has honoured it with a particular eulogium1 which in some editions is placed before the work4 ,this is the subject of the piece3 ,orlando1 nephew to ,charlemagne1 had lost his senses1 because the beautiful ,angelica preferred ,medore to him4 ,astolfo1 a valourous knight-errant was one day carried by his hippogriffe to the terrestial paradise1 which was at the top of a very high mountain3 there he met with ,st4 ,john1 who informed him that it was necessary1 in order to cure ,orlando of his madness1 for them to take a journey together to the moon4 ,astolfo1 delighted with the opportunity of seeing a new country1 needed no entreaty1 and in a moment the apostle and knight took their course in a chariot of fire4 ,as ,astolfo was no philosopher1 he was surprised to find the moon much larger than it appeared while he was on the earth2 his astonishment however increased when he saw in it rivers1 lakes1 mountains1 towns1 forests1 and1 what ,i should have been equally surprised at1 nymphs hunting in the forests4 ,but the most curious thing of all he saw was a valley in which was to be found every thing that was lost on the earth3 crowns1 riches1 the rewards of ambition1 hopes without number1 all the time that had been devoted to gaming1 all the alms men had ordered to be distributed after their death1 verses dedicated to monarchs1 and the sighs of lovers4 ,as to lovers' sighs1 rejoined the ,marchioness2 ,i don't know what became of them in ,ariosto's time1 but at present ,i fancy there are none that go to the moon4 ,we should find a great many1 said ,i1 were they only those that you have occasioned4 ,in short1 the moon is so careful in collecting all that is lost here that not a single thing is wanting of the number3 ,ariosto has even whispered that ,constantine's donation is there3 the popes have assumed the government of ,rome and ,italy by virtue of a donation from that emperor1 but the truth is we can't tell what is become of it4 ,there is but one sort of thing that has not escaped to the moon1 and that is--folly3 the people on earth have taken care not to part with that2 but to make the moon amends1 an incredible quantity of wit has taken its flight thither1 which is there preserved in phials2 it is a very subtile fluid1 and easily evaporates unless carefully corked up3 on each of these phials is written the name of the owner4 ,i think ,ariosto puts them together without any order1 but ,i like better to imagine them placed neatly in long rows4 ,astolfo was astonished to find full phials belonging to many wise people of his acquaintance4 ,i am sure1 continued ,i1 mine has been considerably augmented since ,i began to indulge myself with you in philosophic and poetic reveries3 but ,i console myself by supposing that after listening to all my fancies your wits must inevitably become so volatile that at least a little phial full will evaporate1 and make its way to the moon4 ,our knight-errant found his own among the rest1 and by ,st4 ,john's permission took possession of it and snuffed up all the bottleful like ,hungary water3 but according to ,ariosto he did not carry it away with him2 for1 it soon returned to the moon1 in consequence of an extravagance he was guilty of some time after4 ,he did not forget ,orlando's phial which had occasioned his journey2 he had a good deal of trouble in carrying it1 for the hero's wit was naturally weighty1 and not a drop was wanting4 ,at the end1 ,ariosto1 according to his general custom of saying whatever he pleases1 addresses1 in beautiful language the following apostrophe to his mistress3 ,who1 my fair one1 will ascend to the heavens1 to restore the senses of which your charms has robbed me8 ,hitherto ,i have not complained1 but ,i know not what may be the extent of my loss2 should ,i continue the victim of your beauty1 ,i shall in the end become what ,i have represented ,orlando to be4 ,however1 ,i do not believe it is necessary for me to traverse the airy regions for the recovery of my senses2 all the faculties of my soul1 instead of mounting to such unattainable height1 are solacing themselves in the beam of your eyes1 and hovering round your lovely mouth4 ,ah6 have compassion on me1 and suffer me to take them back with my lips4 ,is not the thought pretty8 ,for my part1 in adopting ,ariosto's way of thinking1 ,i should dissuade people from ever letting their wits escape1 unless it were from the influence of love2 for you see how near they then continue1 and how easily they may be regained2 but when they are lost in any other way1 as we1 for instance1 are losing ours1 in philosophising1 they fly directly to the moon1 and are not caught again at pleasure4 ,never mind1 said the ,marchioness2 ours will have an honourable station among the philosophic phials2 whereas1 had we lost them in the poet's way1 they might perhaps hover around some unworthy object4 ,but1 continued she1 to deprive me completely of mine1 tell me seriously whether you believe there are men living in the moon1 for you have not yet given me a decided opinion4 ,do ,i believe it8 replied ,i2 oh no1 ,i don't believe there are men in the moon4 ,we see how much all nature is changed even when we have travelled from here to ,china2 different faces2 different figures2 different manners2 and almost a different sort of understandings3 from here to the moon the alteration must be considerably greater4 ,when adventurers explore unknown countries1 the inhabitants they find are scarcely human2 they are animals in the shape of men1 even in that respect sometimes imperfect2 but almost devoid of human reason2 could any of these travellers reach the moon1 they surely would not find it inhabited by men4 ,then what sort of creatures are they8 asked the ,marchioness impatiently4 ,upon my word1 madam1 said ,i1 ,i can't tell4 ,were it possible for us to be endowed with reason1 and at the same time not of the human species2 were we1 ,i say1 such beings1 and inhabitants of the moon1 should we ever imagine that this world contained so fantastical a creature as man8 ,could we form in our minds the image of a being composed of such extravagant passions1 and such wise reflections2 an existence so short1 and plans so extensive2 so much knowledge of trifles1 and so much ignorance of the most important things2 such ardent love of liberty1 yet such proneness to slavery2 so strong a desire for happiness1 with so little power of being happy8 ,the people in the moon1 must be very clever to imagine such a motley character4 ,we are incessantly contemplating our own nature1 yet we are still unacquainted with it4 ,some have found it so difficult to comprehend1 that they have said the gods had taken too much nectar when they created men2 and when they had recovered their calm reason1 they could not help laughing at their own work4 ,well1 we are not in danger of being laughed at by the inhabitants of the moon1 answered the ,marchioness1 as they would find it so impossible to imagine our characters2 but ,i should be very glad if we could find out theirs1 for really1 one feels a painful degree of curiosity in knowing that there are beings in the moon we see yonder1 and not having the means of discovering what they are4 ,how is it1 ,i replied1 that you have no anxiety to be acquainted with all the southern part of the world which is yet unknown to us8 ,we and the inhabitants of that part of the globe are voyaging in the same vessel1 of which they occupy the head and we the stern4 ,you see that the head and the stern have no communication with each other2 that the people at one end know nothing of the nature or occupations of those at the other1 and yet you want to be acquainted with all that is going forward in the moon1 that separate vessel which is sailing in a distant part of the heavens4 ,oh6 replied she1 ,i consider myself already acquainted with the inhabitants of the southern world1 for they certainly must be very much like us2 and in short1 we may know them better whenever we chuse to give ourselves the trouble of going to see them2 we cannot miss them1 for they will remain in the same place2 but these folks in the moon----,i am in despair about them4 ,were ,i1 ,i replied1 gravely to answer you1 we know not what may happen1 you would laugh at me1 and ,i should undoubtedly deserve it2 nevertheless ,i think ,i could defend myself in some measure from your ridicule4 ,a thought has come into my head1 which is whimsical enough1 and yet there is a wonderful deal of probability in it2 ,i don't know how it has acquired the power of imposing that on my understanding1 being in itself so extravagant4 ,i dare say ,i shall likewise bring you to confess1 contrary to reason1 that there may some day be a communication opened between the earth and the moon4 ,recollect the situation of ,america before it was discovered by ,christopher ,columbus4 ,the minds of its inhabitants were involved in the most profound ignorance2 far from having any knowledge of the sciences1 they were not even acquainted with the most simple and necessary arts3 they went without clothes2 they had no weapon but the bow2 they had no notion that men might be carried by animals2 they supposed the ocean an immense space1 impassable by man1 and bounded only by the sky to which it was joined4 ,it is true that after they had been several years in contriving to scoop out the trunk of a great tree1 they ventured to commit themselves to the water in this rude sort of vessel1 and went from one country to another1 borne along by the winds and waves3 but as their bark was very liable to be overset1 they were frequently under the necessity of swimming to overtake it1 so that properly speaking they were oftener in the water than in their ship4 ,you must suppose they would not have yielded a very implicit credence to a person who had told them that a navigation was carried on1 incomparably superior to theirs2 that by its means1 every part of the liquid expanse could be resorted to2 that the vessels might be detained at one spot whilst the billows were foaming around2 that even the speed with which they moved might be regulated2 in short1 that the ocean1 whatever its extent might be1 was no obstacle to the commerce of different people4 ,in a course of time1 however1 notwithstanding their incredulity1 a spectacle new and astonishing presents itself to the eyes of these savages4 ,enormous bodies1 extending their white wings to the blast1 come sailing on the ocean with fearful rapidity1 and discharging fire on every side3 these tremendous machines cast on their shore men covered with iron2 guiding with facility the monsters that carry them1 and darting thunderbolts from their hands to destroy all who attempt to resist them4--,whence come these awful beings8 ,who hath given them power to ride on the waters1 and to wield the thunder of heaven8 ,are they children of the sun8 assuredly they are not men6 ,i cannot tell1 madam1 whether you feel as strongly as ,i do1 the surprise of the ,americans2 surely no event could ever have excited an astonishment equal to theirs4 ,after thinking of that1 ,i will not assert that no communication can be established between our world and the moon4 ,did the ,americans ever conceive the idea that there would be any between their country and ,europe1 of which they had never heard8 ,there is1 ,i acknowledge1 an immense space of air to travel through before we could reach the moon2 but did those great seas appear to the ,americans more capable of being crossed8 ,really1 exclaimed the ,marchioness1 looking earnestly at me1 you are quite mad6 ,who denies it8 answered ,i4 ,it is impossible you should deny it said she4 ,the ,americans were so ignorant that they could not imagine the practicability of crossing such an extent of water2 but we have science enough to know that the air is passable1 although we have no machine which can transport us through it4 ,we do more than conjecture the possibility of rising in the air1 ,i replied2 we have actually began to fly4 ,several persons have discovered a method of fixing on wings which supported them in the air1 of moving these wings1 and by their assistance1 flying over rivers2 these new-fashioned birds1 did not1 to be sure1 soar like the eagles1 and their flight has sometimes cost them an arm or a leg2 but1 however1 these attempts answer to the first pieces of wood that were launched into the water1 and which served for the commencement of navigation3 there was a vast difference between these mere planks and great ships1 capable of going round the world2 nevertheless1 by gradual improvements we have learned to construct such vessels4 ,the art of flying is but in its infancy2 in due time it will be brought to perfection1#be and some day or other we shall get to the moon4 ,can we pretend to know every thing2 to have made every possible discovery8 ,pray let us give posterity leave to make some improvements as well as ourselves4 ,i won't give them leave1 answered she1 to break their necks by attempting to fly4 ,well1 ,i replied1 though flying be not perfected here1 the inhabitants of the moon1 may perhaps excel us2 and it will be the same thing whether we go to them1 or they come to us4 ,we shall then be like the ,americans who knew so little of navigation whilst it was thoroughly understood at the other side of the globe4 ,pugh6 cried the ,marchioness2 if the people in the moon were so expert1 they would have been here before this time4 ,the ,europeans1 answered ,i1 did not find their way to ,america till six thousand years had elapsed2 they were all that time in learning the art of navigation so completely as to pass over the ocean4 ,probably the people in the moon are able to take little excursions into the air1 very likely they are now practising2 after they have acquired more experience they will pay us a visit1 and heaven knows what surprise it will occasion us6 ,you are insupportable1 exclaimed she1 to combat me with such chimerical arguments4 ,take care1 said ,i2 if you provoke me ,i shall easily corroborate them4 ,remember the earth has been made known to us by little and little4 ,the ancients positively asserted that the torrid and frozen zones were uninhabitable from the excessive heat of the one1 and cold of the others2 and in the time of the ,romans the general chart of the world was made little larger than that of their own empire1 this at once shewed the grand idea they had of themselves1 and their extreme ignorance of the earth4 ,men were however discovered1 in these extremely hot1 and intensely cold1 climates1 which discovery has greatly augmented the number of inhabitants on our globe4 ,at one time it was believed that the ocean covered every part of the earth except what was then known4 ,antipodes had never been heard of1 and who could imagine that men would be able to walk with their heads downwards8 ,yet after all1 the antipodes were found out4 ,now the map must be altered2 a new half added to the earth6--,you understand1 madam1 what ,i am aiming at2 these antipodes1 so unexpectedly discovered1 should teach us to think modestly of our attainments3 we may yet know much more of our own world1 and then become acquainted with the moon2 till that time we must not expect it1 because our knowledge is progressive3 when we understand our own habitation1 we may be permitted to study that of our neighbours4 ,in truth1 said she1 viewing me attentively1 you enter into the subject so deeply that one cannot but imagine you in earnest4 ,indeed ,i am not1 answered ,i2 ,i only wished to shew you the possibility of maintaining an extravagant opinion1 so as to embarrass1 though not convince1 a person of sense4 ,truth alone makes her way to the understanding2 she can even convince without exhibiting every proof3 she is so adapted to our capacities1 that when first discovered1 we seem only to have met with an old acquaintance4 ,footnote #be3 ,montgolfier's balloons1 invented in #aghc1 have gone a great way towards the fulfilling of this prediction1 but it is evidently impossible for it to be accomplished2 these globes can only carry us to a certain height1 beyond that we could not breathe4 ,ah6 this restores my tranquillity1 said she4 ,your sophistry disturbed my imagination4 ,let us retire2 ,i am now composed and inclined to go to rest4 ,,third ,,evening4 ,the ,marchioness wished to pursue our astronomical researches during the day2 but ,i told her that as the moon and stars were the subjects of our whimsical conversations1 they ought to be our only confidants2 we therefore waited till evening1 and then took our usual ramble in the park1 which thus became sacred to learning4 ,i have a vast deal of news to tell you1 said ,i2 ,i yesterday told you that the moon1 according to all appearances1 was inhabited2 but ,i have recollected a circumstance which would expose its inhabitants to so much danger1 that ,i don't know whether ,i shall not retract my former opinion4 ,indeed ,i will not suffer you to retract it1 answered she4 ,yesterday you prepared me to receive a visit from the inhabitants of the moon1 in a few days2 now you are going to refuse them a place in the creation4 ,you shall not trifle with me in this way4 ,you told me the moon was inhabited2 ,i surmounted the difficulty of believing it1 and now ,i will continue to believe it4 ,softly6 said ,i2 we should give but half an assent to an opinion of this nature1 and reserve the other half in case we should find the opposite idea better supported4 ,i am not contented with words1 she replied2 give me facts3 remember your comparison of the moon with ,st4 ,dennis4 ,but1 answered ,i1 the moon is not so similar to the earth as ,st4 ,dennis is to ,paris4 ,the sun draws out of the earth and water exhalations1 which rise to a certain height in the air1 collect together1 and form themselves into clouds4 ,these clouds hover about the earth in irregular shapes1 sometimes shadowing one part1 and sometimes another4 ,in viewing the earth from a distance1 the appearance of its surface would continually vary1 because a large space of country darkened by a cloud would appear less luminous than the other parts1 and as the cloud dispersed1 would resume its brightness3 from this cause the spots on the earth would be seen to change their places1 assume different forms1 and sometimes be entirely dissipated4 ,if1 then1 the moon had clouds in its atmosphere1 we should observe this variety of spots2 but we find them always confined to the same place1 which proves that the sun raises no vapours from the moon4 ,it is then a body incomparably more solid than the earth1 and its more subtile particles easily dissipated as soon as they are put in motion by the heat4 ,the moon1 therefore must be a mass of rock and marble from which no evaporation proceeds2 for exhalations so naturally arise where there is water1 that we cannot admit the existence of water where they are not found4 ,what sort of beings do you think could inhabit these barren rocks2 this country without water8 ,ah6 cried she1 you forget that you have assured me the seas in the moon were distinguishable4 ,it was a mere conjecture1#bf ,i replied2 ,i am sorry to have led you astray4 ,these dark places that have been taken for seas are probably only deep cavities3 at so great a distance it is excusable if we don't always guess aright4 ,but1 said she1 will your objections oblige us to conclude that the moon has no inhabitants8 ,by no means1 answered ,i1 we will neither decide one way or the other4 ,i must own my weakness1 she replied2 ,i cannot bear to remain in suspense4 ,i must believe something3 enable me to determine2 let us ascertain the existence of these people1 or let us annihilate them at once1 and think no more about them4 ,but preserve them if possible2 ,i have formed an attachment for them1 of which ,i shall not easily divest myself4 ,i will not leave the moon without inhabitants then1 said ,i2 for your pleasure it shall be repeopled4 ,footnote #bf3 ,this is not1 now1 even conjectured1 for with a telescope we may see irregularities at the bottom of what were supposed to be seas4 ,as the spots in the moon never vary1#bg we certainly1 cannot believe that there are any surrounding clouds which successively obscure the surrounding parts2 this however is not a proof that there are no exhalations2 our clouds are formed of vapours1 which at their first rising out of the earth1 were in separate particles1 too small to be visible to us2 in ascending they meet with a degree of cold that condenses1 and unites them into conspicuous forms2 after which they float in the air till they dissolve in rain4 ,but these exhalations frequently remain dispersed and imperceptible1 and fall back on the ground in gentle dews4 ,i suppose then that vapours of this kind are exhaled from the moon1 for it is incredible that the moon should be a large mass1 composed of parts all equally solid1 all in a state of equal tranquillity1 all incapable of being influenced by the action of the sun4 ,we know of no body which has these properties1 not even marble4 ,the most dense bodies are subject to change1 either from some secret and interior motion1 or from the action of external matter4 ,as the exhalations from the moon1 do not form themselves into clouds1 and return in showers1 they can only become dew2 for that purpose it is not necessary that the atmosphere1 which apparently adheres to the moon as ours does to the earth1 should be exactly similar to our air1 nor the vapours exactly like ours2 and that ,i think is probably the case3#bh the matter must have a different disposition in the moon1 from that in the earth2 consequently the effects be different2 however all that is of no importance2 since we find that there is motion in the parts of the moon1 either internal1 or produced by foreign causes1 we may again people it1 as we have the means of affording them subsistence2 of producing fruit1 corn1 water1 and every thing that is needful4 ,i mean fruit1 corn1 c4 such as the moon can produce1 the nature of which ,i am unacquainted with2 and all these in proportion to the wants of its inhabitants1 of which ,i am likewise ignorant4 ,footnote #bg3 ,m4 ,herschel has observed variations in them2 which he1 with certainty1 attributes to the industry of the inhabitants4 ,footnote #bh3 ,the atmosphere of the moon1 if there be any1 is quite invisible to us4 ,that is to say1 answered the ,marchioness1 you are sure every thing is right1 without knowing how it is2 here is a little knowledge placed against a great deal of ignorance1 but we must be content with it3 ,i am very happy to have inhabitants restored to the moon2 ,i am glad also that you give them a surrounding atmosphere1 for it seems to me that a planet would be too naked without one4 ,these two different airs1 said ,i1 one belonging to the earth1 the other to the moon1 tend to prevent the communication between the two planets4 ,if it merely depended on the power of flying1 who knows1 as ,i yesterday said1 but we may at some future time be sufficiently expert8 ,all things considered1 ,i think we must not expect this communication2 the amazing distance at which they are placed1 would be a considerable difficulty2 and were this obstacle removed2 were the two planets nearer together1 it would be impossible to pass from one atmosphere to the other4 ,water is the atmosphere of fishes2 they never pass into that of birds1 nor the birds into theirs3 they are not prevented by the distance1 but the existence of both depends on their proper element4 ,our air1 we find1 is mixed with more dense and gross vapours than that of the moon2 therefore an inhabitant of that world would be drowned if he entered our atmosphere1 and fall lifeless on the earth4 ,oh6 how glad ,i should be1 exclaimed the ,marchioness1 for a shipwreck to cast a good number of them on the earth1 we might then examine them at our leisure4 ,but1 ,i replied1 if they were clever enough to navigate the surface of our atmosphere1 and from a curiosity to examine us1 should be tempted to draw us up like fishes2 would that please you8 ,why not8 answered she1 laughing4 ,i would voluntarily put myself in their nets1 just for the pleasure of seeing the fishers4 ,remember1 said ,i1 you would be very ill by the time you reached the top of our air2 we are not capable of breathing it above a certain height2#bi it is said that at the summit of some mountains we can scarcely do it4 ,i wonder that people who are silly enough to believe that corporeal genii inhabit the purest regions of the air1 should not tell us1 as the reason for our receiving such short and unfrequent visits from these genii1 that few of them understand diving1 and even those who excel in it cannot remain long in our gross air4 ,footnote #bi3 ,respiration is difficult at the height of a league4 ,half a league higher it must be impossible4 ,we see then there are many things to prevent us from leaving our own world and going to the moon4 ,to console ourselves let us guess all we can about it4 ,in the first place ,i conjecture that the inhabitants must see the heavens1 the sun and the stars of a very different colour from what they appear to us4 ,we view those objects through a sort of glass which alters their appearance2 this glass is our atmosphere1 pervaded with exhalations4 ,some moderns assert that it is blue as well as the sea1 but we can only distinguish the colour in the parts of those elements that are most remote from the eye4 ,the firmament1 say they1 in which are the fixed stars1 has no light in itself1 and consequently ought to appear black1#cj but as we see it through our blue air1 it seems to us to be blue4 ,if that is true1 the rays of the sun and stars cannot pass through the air without receiving a slight tinge from its colour1 and losing a degree of that which is natural to them4 ,but supposing the air is not coloured1 it is certain that through a thick fog the light of a flambeau1 seen at some distance1 appears of a deep red1 which is not its real colour2 if therefore our air be considered only a mist1 it must necessarily alter the colour of the sky1 sun1 and stars4 ,the celestial fluid alone could give us light and colours in their original state4 ,therefore as the atmosphere of the moon differs from ours1 it is either of a different colour1 or else it is another sort of mist1 which varies the appearance of the celestial bodies4 ,in a word1 the glass through which the people in the moon view these objects is of a different nature to ours4 ,footnote #cj3 ,desaussure tells us it appears black when viewed at a league's distance from the earth4 ,on that account1 replied the ,marchioness1 ,i prefer our world to the moon2 ,i think it impossible for the assortment of colours presented to their sight by the heavenly bodies to be so beautiful as that they form when viewed through the medium of our air4 ,let us suppose a red sky and green stars2 the effect is not so agreeable as golden stars and a blue sky4 ,one would think1 said ,i1 you were chusing clothes or furniture2 but believe me1 nature has a good taste2 let us trust to her for providing a set of colours for the moon1 there is no fear but it will be a pleasing one4 ,she has undoubtedly varied the appearance of the universe at each different point of view1 and in all these varieties there is great beauty4 ,i acknowledge her talents1 answered she2 at each point of view she has placed a different sort of glass1 by which mean she has given the appearance of variety to objects which remain always the same4 ,with a blue atmosphere1 we have a blue sky1 and perhaps with a red atmosphere1 the inhabitants of the moon have a red sky2 yet this sky is absolutely the same4 ,in like manner she seems to have placed various sorts of glasses before the eyes of our imagination1 through which the same object presents to each of us a different appearance4 ,to ,alexander1 the earth appeared a proper place to convert into an empire1 for his sway2 ,celadon1 viewed it only as a fit residence for ,astrea2 a philosopher considers it a large planet1 travelling through the heavens1 and inhabited by a number of madmen4 ,i think the spectacle of nature cannot be more varied than the prospects of different imaginations4 ,the varied appearance of objects viewed by the imagination1 ,i replied1 is the most surprising1 for they are exactly the same things though apparently so dissimilar3 whereas there may be other natural objects visible to the moon1 and some that are visible to us may not be seen there2 perhaps1 for instance1 there is neither dawn nor twilight4 ,the air that surrounds us1 rises to some height1 receives the rays of light that would not reach the earth1 and by its density1 detains1 and conveys to us a part of this light which was apparently not destined for us3 thus you see the dawn and twilight are particular favours conferred on us by nature2 they are degrees of light to which we are not regularly entitled1 and which are bestowed on us in addition to our share4 ,but the atmosphere of the moon1 being purer than ours1 is probably not so well calculated to reflect the rays which it receives before the sun is risen1 or after it is set4 ,the poor inhabitants have not then this light1 which by its gradual increase prepares us so agreeably for the brilliancy of the sun2 and in the evening reconciles us to its loss1 by a progressive diminution4 ,the moon1 after the profound gloom of night1 receives the ardent blaze of the sun1 as if by the instantaneous drawing up of a curtain3 on the contrary1 whilst still enjoying the dazzling light of day1 it is again plunged into extreme darkness3 day and night are not connected by an agreeable medium1 partaking of both4 ,the people in the moon never see the rainbow2 for as the dawn is produced by the thickness of our air and vapours1 so the rainbow is formed in the clouds which are dispersed in rain2 thus we are indebted for the most beautiful appearances in nature1 to things1 in themselves1 far from agreeable4 ,since the moon has neither dense vapours nor rainy clouds1 farewell to ,aurora1 and the ,rainbow6 ,alas6 to what can they liken the beauties of that country2 what a source of comparison are they deprived of6 ,i should not much regret those comparisons1 answered the ,marchioness2 and ,i think the inhabitants of the moon have ample amends made them for the loss of rainbows and twilight by being exempted from thunder and lightning2 for these likewise are formed in the clouds4 ,they have constant serenity of weather2 never losing sight of the sun4 ,they have no gloomy nights in which the stars are concealed4 ,they are unacquainted with those storms and tempests2 those elemental wars which seem to indicate the wrath of heaven4 ,are they then to be pitied8 ,you speak of the moon as an enchanting spot1 said ,i2 yet ,i don't know whether it is very delightful to be exposed throughout a day that is as long as our fortnight#ca to a blazing sun1 without a cloud to temper the intensity of its heat4 ,it is perhaps owing to this that nature has formed cavities in the moon1 large enough to be seen by our telescopes2 they are not valleys situated between mountains1 but hollow places in the midst of large plains4 ,how do we know whether the inhabitants1 oppressed by the perpetual radiance of the sun1 may not take refuge in these caverns8 ,perhaps they even build towns1 and constantly reside in these parts4 ,we see that here our subterraneous ,rome is larger than the ,rome which is built on the surface3 we have only to remove the latter1 and the other would be a city such as we should find in the moon4 ,a large number of the people dwell in each cavern1 and from one cavern to another is a subterraneous passage for the communication of the inhabitants4 ,you laugh at this idea2 ,i have no objection3 but seriously1 ,i think you are more likely to be mistaken than ,i4 ,you believe the people in the moon must dwell on the surface1 because we are on the surface of our globe2 you should form quite a different opinion1 and think that because we reside on the surface they dwell in the interior parts2 every thing must be very differently conducted here and in the moon4 ,footnote #ca3 ,during this time the sun rises and sets as it does in our day4 ,it does not signify1 replied the ,marchioness2 ,i can't bear the idea of these people living in perpetual darkness4 ,you would find it still more difficult to admit the opinion1 said ,i1 if you knew that a great philosopher of ancient times had informed us that the moon was the dwelling of souls who had on earth rendered themselves worthy of very exalted happiness4 ,he supposes that their felicity consists in listening to the music of the spheres2 but that when the moon comes under the shadow of the earth1 they are no longer able to hear this celestial harmony1 at which time they utter the most piercing cries1 and the moon hastens on as fast as possible to relieve them from this agonizing situation4 ,we may expect then1 answered she1 to have the virtuous spirits sent here from the moon1 for ,i suppose they likewise honour our world by making it an abode of the blessed3 so in these two planets it is thought a sufficient reward to superior goodness for the soul to be transported from one world to the other4 ,really1 ,i replied1 it would not be a trifling enjoyment to take a survey of different worlds2 ,i often receive a great deal of pleasure from such a journey1 although but in imagination2 what must it be then to perform it in reality8 ,it would be much more delightful than going from here to ,japan2 in other words1 than crawling from one end of the earth to the other with great labour1 merely for the sake of seeing men4 ,well1 said she1 let us make this tour to the planets as we can2 what should prevent us8 ,we will place ourselves at all those different points of view1 and at each of them survey the universe4 ,have we any thing else to see in the moon8 ,you are not yet thoroughly acquainted with that world1 ,i replied4 ,you recollect that the two motions of the moon1 by one of which she turns on her axis1 and by the other round us1 being equal1 the latter always prevents the former from withdrawing any part from our sight1 and consequently we always view the same side4 ,that half therefore is the only part that can see our world1 and as the moon1 with regard to us1 must be considered not to turn on her centre1 the half to which we are visible1 sees us always fixed in the same part of the sky4#cb ,when it is night1 and the nights there are as long as our fortnight1 she sees at first only a very small part of the earth enlightened2 then a larger portion1 and at length the light seems hourly to spread over the earth1 till it becomes entirely luminous4 ,on the contrary these changes in the moon are visible to us only from one night to another1 because we are a long time without seeing her4 ,i should like to hear the mistakes which the philosophers of that world fall into from the apparent immobility of our earth1 whilst all the other heavenly bodies rise and set in the space of a fortnight4 ,probably they consider the earth immovable in consequence of her enormous size1 being sixty times larger than the moon2 and when the poets are disposed to flatter indolent princes1 ,i have no doubt but they compare them to this orb in her state of majestic repose4 ,it does not however appear an entire immobility4 ,from the moon they must see the earth turn on her axis4 ,our ,europe1 ,asia1 ,america1 present themselves one after another1 in different shapes1 nearly as they are represented on our maps4 ,only imagine what a novel sight this must be to travellers coming from the other side of the moon to that which is always facing us6 ,how incredulously they must have heard the accounts of the first that spoke of it1 who lived at the opposite side4 ,it is come into my head1 said the ,marchioness1 that from that half of the moon to the other they make pilgrimages to come and examine us1 and that particular honours and privileges are destined for those who have seen the great planet4 ,at least1 answered ,i1 they who constantly see us have the privilege of being better illumined during their nights2 the inhabitants of the other side must be much less agreeably situated in that respect4 ,footnote #cb3 ,that is to say only at the same distance from the zenith and the horizon4 ,now1 madam1 let us pursue our journey to the different planets2 we have been long enough at the moon4 ,next1 in the road from the moon to the sun1 we find ,venus4 ,in talking of ,venus ,i shall resume my argument concerning ,st4 ,dennis4 ,venus1 as well as the moon1 turns on her axis and goes round the sun3 with telescopes it is seen that this planet1 like the moon1 is sometimes a crescent1 sometimes on the decrease sometimes full1 according to her different situations relatively to the earth4 ,the moon1 according to all appearances1 is inhabited2 why then should ,venus be destitute of inhabitants8 ,but1 interrupted the ,marchioness1 with your why nots you will put inhabitants in all the planets4 ,certainly1 ,i replied1 this why not has the power of peopling them all4 ,we find that they are of the same nature1 all opaque bodies1 illumined only by the sun1 and the reflection of his rays on each other2 and having all the same motions4 ,so far then they are alike1 and yet we are to suppose that these great planets were formed to remain uninhabited1 and that such being the natural condition of them all1 an exception should be made in favour of the earth--let who will believe it2 ,i cannot4 ,a few minutes1 answered she1 have wonderfully confirmed your opinion4 ,just now the moon was on the point of being quite deserted1 and you cared very little about the matter1 and now1 if one were to presume to deny that all the planets are as full of inhabitants as the earth1 ,i see you would be quite in a passion4 ,it is true1 said ,i1 that in the positive fit ,i had just now1 if you had contradicted me on the subject of these said inhabitants1 ,i should not only have maintained their existence1 but in all probability have described their formation4 ,there are certain moments when we feel assured of a thing1 and ,i never felt so fully persuaded of my opinion as ,i was then2 however1 though my ardour is now a little abated1 ,i still think it would be very strange for the earth to be so well inhabited1 and the other planets perfectly solitary2 and numerous as we know the inhabitants of the earth to be1 we do not see them all1 our world contains as many species of animals that are invisible to us1 as of those that we discern4 ,from the elephant to the hand-worm we can examine them2 there our sight is bounded3 but after the hand-worm is an infinitude of little animals not discernible by the naked eye1 and to which1 in point of size1 he is an elephant4 ,with magnifying glasses1 we may see a drop of water1 vinegar1 or any other liquor1 filled with little fishes or serpents1 which we should never have thought of finding there2 and some philosophers suppose the taste of these liquors is produced by punctures which the little animals make in the tongue4 ,mix these liquors with certain things1 expose them to the sun1 or leave it to corrupt1 and you will find new sorts of animals4 ,many masses1 apparently solid1 contains scarcely any thing but a heap of these small animals1 which in so confined a situation find room enough for their little movements4 ,the leaf of a tree is a world1 inhabited by worms imperceptibly small1 to which it appears an amazing extent1 having mountains and caverns1 and so large that from one side of the leaf to the other the little worms have no more communication with each other than we have with the antipodes4 ,from such considerations ,i cannot doubt of a great planet being inhabited4 ,there have been found even in very hard stones an endless number of worms lodged in every interstice1 feeding on parts of the stone4 ,consider the countless numbers of these little beings1 and how many years they could subsist on a quantity of food as big as a grain of sand2 and then though the moon should be but a mass of rock1 we may let it be eaten by its inhabitants rather than not assign any to it4 ,in short every thing is animated2 every thing is full of life4 ,associate in your calculation all the species that have been lately discovered1 and those that we may suppose are yet undiscovered1 with all that we are in the habit of seeing1 and you will surely confess that the earth is amply stocked with living creatures2 that nature must delight in bestowing life since she has created such infinite variety of beings so small as to elude our sight4 ,can you believe that after the earth has been thus made to abound with life1 the rest of the planets have not a living creature in them8 ,my reason is convinced1 answered the ,marchioness2 but my imagination is overwhelmed with such an infinite variety and number of inhabitants existing in each of the planets2 for as there is no dull uniformity in nature1 the difference of species must be in proportion to the number of beings--how can imagination grasp such a vast idea8 ,imagination1 ,i replied1 is not required to represent all this to us2 we can penetrate no farther than we are assisted by our sight2 we can only perceive1 from a general glance1 that nature has established an inconceivable diversity in her works4 ,the human face is formed every where on the same plan1 but still how great is the difference between the visages of ,europeans and of ,africans or ,tartars3 not only in separate nations do we find a distinguishing character of countenance1 even among the same people every family seems formed from a distinct model4 ,how astonishing is the power of nature in giving such variety to so simple an object6 ,in the universe we are but as a little family whose faces resemble each other2 the next planet contains another family who have a different style of countenance4 ,probably the variations are greater in proportion to the distance1 and could we compare the inhabitants of the earth and moon1 we should easily see that they were nearer neighbours than those of the earth and of ,saturn4 ,here1 for instance1 our thoughts are made vocal2 the people in another planet only express themselves by gestures2 farther off1 they may dispense with any sort of conversation4 ,here our reason is matured by experience2 elsewhere experience may add little to the understanding2 at a greater distance1 children may know as much as old men4 ,in this world we give ourselves more uneasiness about the future than the past2 on another globe1 the past afflicts more than the future2 on a third1 the people are neither distressed by one nor the other1 and they perhaps are not the most unhappy4 ,it is said that we are possibly in want of a sixth sense belonging to our nature1 by means of which our knowledge would be greatly augmented4 ,this sense is most likely in some other world1 where one of our five is wanting4 ,there may even be a very great number of natural senses1 but in the distribution of them among the planets1 only five have fallen to our share1 and with these five we remain satisfied because we don't know of any more4 ,our sciences have certain limits which no human understanding has exceeded3 at a particular point we stop1 the rest is reserved for other worlds1 where they are ignorant of many things that we know4 ,this planet is blest with the delightful emotions of love1 but at the same time desolated by the fury of war4 ,another enjoys perpetual tranquillity1 but with this uninterrupted peace1 love is unknown1 and calmness degenerates into ennui4 ,in short whatever nature has done on a small scale1 for the distribution of happiness and talents among us1 she has undoubtedly performed on a more extensive plan for the benefit of the universe2 at once diversifying and equalizing all4 ,are you satisfied1 madam1 said ,i8 ,have ,i given your imagination room to exert itself8 ,do you not already see the people of different planets8 ,no1 answered she1 with a sigh3 all you have been saying is so vague and unsatisfactory2 there is nothing in it for the mind to fix on4 ,i want something more determined2 more marked4 ,well then1 ,i replied1 ,i will not conceal any particulars that ,i am acquainted with3 ,i can give you some information that you will acknowledge to be undoubted1 when ,i tell you my authorities4 ,prepare to listen patiently if you please1 for it is a long story4 ,in one of the planets1 ,i shall not at present tell you which1 there is a people that are very active1 laborious and skillful4 ,like some of our ,arabs1 they live by pillage1 and that is their only fault4 ,they live together in the most harmonious manner1 labouring incessantly and in concert1 for the common good3 above all their chastity is unexampled2 it is true they have no great merit in it2 they are all sterile2 there is no difference of sex among them4 ,but1 interrupted the ,marchioness1 were you not aware that the author of this marvellous story wanted to make a fool of you8 ,how could such a nation be perpetuated8 ,no1 ,i replied1 very coolly1 they did not intend to make a fool of me2 all that ,i have told you is fact1 yet the nation is perpetuated4 ,they have a queen whose royalty consists1 not in directing the business of the state1 not in leading her subjects to the field of battle1 but in her surprizing fecundity1 she has millions of children2 in short the production of them occupies the whole of her time4 ,she has a large palace1 divided into a vast number of chambers1 in each of which a cradle is prepared for a little prince1 and she is confined successively in all these chambers1 always surrounded by her courtiers who congratulate her on the noble privilege she enjoys exclusively of her subjects4 ,i see1 madam1 that you wish to enquire who are her lovers1 or1 to give them a more respectable appellation1 her husbands4 ,some of the eastern queens have seraglios of men2 she apparently does the same1 but she keeps it a greater secret than they2 this may arise from modesty1 but it is acting with little dignity4 ,among these ,arabs who are always in action1 are found a few strangers1 in person very much resembling the natives of the country1 though extremely different in disposition1 for they are remarkably indolent2 they never stir out nor engage in any business2 and were not these persons kept for the pleasure of the queen1 they would hardly be suffered to remain amongst so industrious a people4 ,if1 in reality1 notwithstanding the smallness of their number1 they are the fathers of many thousands of children1 they deserve to be excused from any other employment2 and it is a striking proof that this is their only function1 that as soon as the queen has brought forth her ten thousand children1 the ,arabs kill1 without mercy1 the unhappy foreigners1 then become useless to the state4 ,have you done8 enquired the ,marchioness4 ,thank heavens6 ,let us now resume a little common sense1 if we can4 ,where have you picked up this romance8 ,what poet is the inventor of it8 ,i again tell you1 answered ,i1 that it is no romance4 ,all this takes place on our globe1 even under our eyes4--,if ,i must explain the mystery1 these ,arabs are no other than bees4 ,after this ,i gave her the natural history of bees1 of which she had before scarcely ever heard more than the name4 ,in concluding1 you see1 said ,i1 that in attributing to other planets what is daily passing here1 we should be accused of telling the most extravagant falsehoods4 ,the history of insects1 in particular1 is a collection of wonders4 ,i have no doubt of it1 she replied3 the silk-worm alone1 with which ,i was better acquainted than the bees1 would afford abundant materials for your descriptions4 ,a people undergoing such wonderful changes as to be totally unlike what they formerly were2 at one part of their lives crawling1 at another1 flying3 in short a thousand incredible things might be told of the character and manners of this nation4 ,my imagination continued the ,marchioness1 is beginning to work on the subject you have given me--the inhabitants of all the planets3 ,i am conjecturing their figures2 ,i can discern some of them very distinctly1 but ,i don't know how to describe them to you4 ,as to their figures1 said ,i1 ,i advise you to leave the formation of them to your dreams3 we shall hear to-morrow what they have suggested1 and whether they have been able to represent the inhabitants of any of the planets4 ,,fourth ,,evening4 ,,particulars ,,concerning ,,the ,,planets ,,venus1 ,,mercury1 ,,mars1 ,,jupiter ,,and ,,saturn4 ,the dreams of the ,marchioness did not assist her2 they represented nothing that did not bear a resemblance to what we see here4 ,i had the same complaints to make as certain people1 whose paintings are always fanciful and grotesque1 do at the sight of our pictures1--,pshaw1 say they1 these are all men2 here are no objects of imagination4 ,we therefore resolved to content ourselves with the conjectures we should be able to make concerning the inhabitants of the planets as we continued our journey3 we had last night got as far as ,venus4 ,we are assured1 said ,i1 that ,venus turns on her axis1 but it is not ascertained in how long a time1 consequently we cannot tell the length of her days4 ,her years lasts but about eight months1 as she is not longer than that in performing her revolution round the sun4 ,she is of the same size as the earth1 therefore the earth and ,venus appear equally large to each other4 ,i am glad of that1 said the ,marchioness2 then ,i hope the earth is to ,venus the shepherd's star1 and the parent of love1 as ,venus is to us4 ,these appellations can be proper only for a pretty little1 brilliant1 gay looking planet4 ,true1 answered ,i2 but do you know what makes ,venus look so beautiful at a distance8--it is the effect of her being very frightful when near4 ,with good telescopes it has been seen that she is covered with mountains1 much higher than ours1 sharp-pointed1 and apparently very dry4#cc ,this kind of surface is the best calculated to reflect the light with great brilliancy4 ,our earth1 whose surface is very smooth1 compared with that of ,venus1 and partly covered with water1 probably looks less beautiful at a distance4 ,so much the worse1 said the ,marchioness2 ,i should like her to preside over the loves of the inhabitants of ,venus2 they must certainly understand what love is4 ,oh6 undoubtedly1 ,i replied2 the people in that planet1 are all ,celadons and ,sylvanders1 and their every-day conversations are finer than the most admired in ,clelia4 ,their climate is very favourable to the tender passion4 ,venus is nearer to the sun than we2 and receives more light and heat3 she is about two thirds the distance of the earth1 from the sun4 ,footnote #cc3 ,m4 ,herschel's observations contradict this idea4 ,venus has a very dense atmosphere1 which prevents us from distinguishing any thing on her surface2 the brilliant appearance of this planet arises from her proximity to the earth4 ,i can see1 interrupted the ,marchioness1 what sort of people the inhabitants are4 ,they are much like the ,moors of ,granada3 a little dark1 sun-burnt people1 scorched with the sun2 full of wit and animation1 always in love1 always making verses1 listening to music1 having galas1 dances and tournaments4 ,give me leave to tell you1 madam1 answered ,i1 that you know but little of the inhabitants of ,venus4 ,our ,moors of ,granada when compared with them would appear as cold and stupid as ,greenlanders4 ,but what must the inhabitants of ,mercury be8 ,we are above twice the distance from the sun that they are4 ,they must be almost mad with vivacity4 ,like most of the negroes1 they are without memory2 never reflecting2 acting by starts and at random3 in short ,mercury is the bedlam of the universe4 ,the sun appears there nine times larger than it does to us3 the light they receive is so brilliant that our finest days would be but twilight in comparison of theirs2 perhaps they would find them so dark as not to be able to distinguish one thing from another4 ,the heat to which they are accustomed is so intense1 that they would be almost frozen in our ,africa4 ,in all probability our iron1 silver and gold would be melted in their world1 and only be seen in a liquid state1 as we in general have water1 which in some degrees of cold becomes a solid body4 ,the inhabitants of ,mercury would not imagine that in another world those liquors1 which perhaps form their rivers1 are the hardest of all bodies4 ,their year lasts but three months4 ,the length of their day is not known to us1 because ,mercury is so small and so near the sun1 that it exceeds the art of all our astronomers to observe him with sufficient accuracy to determine what sort of motion he has on his centre3 the inhabitants1 ,i think1 must wish it to be performed in a short time1 for scorched as they are with the fierceness of the sun1 the coolness of night is undoubtedly very desirable to them4 ,the part which by rotation is deprived of the sun's light1 is illumined by ,venus and the earth1 which must appear very large4 ,as to the other planets1 being farther off than the earth1 they1 seen from ,mercury1 appear much smaller than to us1 and afford very little light to that planet4 ,i don't feel so much for its inhabitants on that account1 replied the ,marchioness1 as from the inconvenience they must suffer from such excessive heat4 ,let us try if we can't relieve them in some way4 ,is it not probable they have long and plentiful showers1 such as we are told fall continually for four months together1 in our hot countries1 at the seasons when the heat is most intense8 ,it may be the case1 answered ,i2 and we have another way of giving them relief4 ,there are some parts of ,china which from their situation ought to be very hot1 and yet1 even in the month of ,july and ,august the weather is so cold that their rivers freeze4 ,this coldness arises from the quantities of salt-petre with which the countries abound2 the exhalations1 drawn up in great abundance by the heat are of a cold nature4 ,mercury1 if you please1 shall be a little planet made of salt-petre1 and the sun1 by attracting the cooling exhalations1 will thus prevent the evil it would otherwise be the cause of4 ,however1 we may rest assured that nature would not place beings where it was impossible for them to exist2 and that habit1 and ignorance of a better climate1 render this situation agreeable3 ,mercury therefore may perhaps do very well without salt-petre1 or abundant rains4 ,after ,mercury1 you know1 we find the sun4 ,we cannot possibly place inhabitants there3 the why not fails in this case4 ,we conclude from the earth being inhabited that other bodies of the same nature must be so too3 but the sun does not resemble the earth1 and the rest of the planets4 ,he is the source of all that light which the planets only reflect to each other after they have received it from him4 ,they make exchanges1 if ,i may so express myself1 with one another1 but none of them can bestow an original light4 ,the sun is the sole proprietor of that treasure2 which he distributes freely on every side4 ,the light1 thus issuing from the centre1 is reflected from every solid body it meets1 and from one planet to another it proceeds in bright streams that intermix1 and cross each other in a thousand directions1 forming a splendid tissue of the richest materials4 ,the grand luminary by being placed in the centre is in the most advantageous situation for animating each planet with his heat and radiance4 ,the sun1 then1 is of a peculiar nature1 but what that nature is1 we find it difficult to imagine4 ,formerly it was believed to be a pure fire1 but lately we have been undeceived by observing spots on the surface4 ,as certain new planets had just before been discovered1 7,i shall give you an account of these planets hereafter27 which entirely engrossed the attention of the philosophers1 a sort of mania for new planets seized their minds1 and they immediately concluded these spots were some2 that they performed a circle round the sun1 and necessarily concealed some part of his light by turning their dark side towards the earth4 ,the learned already1 through these planets1 complimented the different princes of ,europe4 ,some gave them the name of one prince2 some of another1 and perhaps in time there would have been a great contest to know who had the best right to name these spots4 ,i don't like their plan1 said the ,marchioness4 ,you told me1 the other day1 that the different parts of the moon were named after learned men2 ,i thought that very proper3 as princes monopolize the earth1 it is but fair that astronomers should have the sky for their share1 and not suffer princes to intrude on their domain4 ,allow them1 however1 ,i replied1 if territory should be wanting1 to consign to them some planet1 or some part of the moon4 ,as to these spots on the sun1 they can make no use of them2 for instead of planets1 we find they are only clouds of smoke or dross arising from the sun4 ,sometimes these clouds are greatly accumulated1 sometimes we see little of them1 and at other times they totally disappear4 ,sometimes a number of them are combined together1 then they are separated into small parts2 at one time they are very dark1 at another they grow pale4 ,it appears as if the sun was some kind of liquid2 many people think it is melted gold1 in a continual state of ebullition1 producing impurities1 which the rapidity of its motion casts up from the surface2 they are afterwards consumed and others produced4 ,only think what amazing bodies these are4 ,some of them are seventeen hundred times#cd larger than the earth1 for you must know1 the earth is more than a million times smaller than the sun4#ce ,imagine therefore what must be the quantity of this liquid gold1 or the extent of this ocean of light and fire6 ,footnote #cd3 ,the largest of the sun's spots are scarcely three times larger than the diameter of the earth1 or twenty-seven times its bulk4 ,footnote #ce3 ,the earth is only a hundred1 or to speak with more exactness1 a hundred and eleven times1 smaller4 ,other philosophers say1 and with great plausibility1 that the spots1 or at least the greatest part of them1 are not newly produced1 and then destroyed after a certain time2 but large1 solid1 masses1 of irregular forms1 always subsisting2 sometimes floating on the surface of the sun1 sometimes partly1 or entirely buried in the liquid substance1 and presenting to our view different projections according to the size of the part that remains uncovered4 ,perhaps they may be parts of some great mass of matter which serves as aliment to the fire of the sun4 ,however1 let the sun be what it will1 it does not by any means appear habitable4#cf ,it is a pity2 the situation would be advantageous3 placed at the centre1 its inhabitants would see the planets going round them in regular orbits1 whilst to us their motions seem to have perplexing varieties1 which are merely the effect of our not observing them from the best place2 that is1 the centre of their circles4 ,what a sad thing it is3 there is but one spot where the study of the celestial bodies would be extremely easy1 and at that spot there is nobody to pursue the study4 ,you forget yourself1 answered the ,marchioness4 ,were any one placed on the sun1 he would neither see the planets nor the fixed stars2 would not the light of the sun efface every other object8 ,the inhabitants would doubtless think themselves the only people in existence4 ,footnote #cf3 ,some natural philosophers have however thought that the sun might be the cause of heat without being itself hot2 and that there was a possibility of its being inhabited4 ,m4 ,herschel believes its population very abundant4 ,trans4 ,philos4 #agie4 ,dcade ,philosophique4 ,i acknowledge my error1 ,i replied3 ,i was thinking of the situation of the sun1 without considering the effect of such an excessive light3 but although you have so properly corrected my mistake1 yet you must allow me to tell you that you have fallen into one yourself4 ,the inhabitants of the sun would not see any thing3 they would be either incapable of enduring so immoderate a light1 or1 were their eyes sufficiently strong1 of receiving it unless they were at some distance2 therefore the sun could only be a habitation for people without sight4 ,in short1 we have abundant proofs that this luminary was not intended to be a dwelling-place2 and therefore we may as well continue our planetary journey4 ,we are now stopping at the central point which is always the lowest part in any thing that is round2 and1 by the way1 ,i should tell you that in going from our world to this centre we have travelled thirty-three millions of leagues4 ,we must now return the way we came4 ,we pass by ,mercury1 ,venus1 the ,earth and the ,moon2 all which we have visited4 ,then we arrive at ,mars4 ,i don't know that there is any thing remarkable in this planet4 ,the days there are about half an hour longer than ours2 and the years twice the length of ours1 except a month and a half4 ,mars is four times less than the earth1#cg and the sun appears rather smaller and less brilliant than it does to us4--,in short1 ,mars contains nothing calculated to arrest our attention4 ,footnote #cg3 ,its volume1 or bulk is five times smaller4 ,but what a beautiful object is ,jupiter1 surrounded by his four moons1 or satellites6 ,these moons are four little planets which1 whilst ,jupiter revolves in twelve years round the sun1 constantly go round him as the moon does round the earth4 ,but1 interrupted the ,marchioness1 how is it that there are planets which go round other planets1 no better than themselves8 ,it seems to me that there would be much more regularity and uniformity in assigning to all the planets but one sort of orbit in which they should move round the sun4 ,ah6 madam1 ,i replied1 were you but acquainted with the vortices of ,descartes2 those vortices1 so terrible in name1 and so charming in the ideas they give rise to2 you would not talk in this way4 ,my wits must all go1 said she1 laughing4 ,i must know what these vortices are4 ,make me quite mad at once3 now ,i have dipped into philosophy ,i can't trouble myself about the care of my senses3 spite of the world's laughter1 we will talk of the vortices4 ,i did not know you had so much enthusiasm1 said ,i2 'tis pity it has no other object than vortices4 ,what we call a vortex is a quantity of matter1 whose detached parts move all in the same direction1 but allowed at the same time to have some little movements peculiar to themselves1 provided they still pursue the general course4 ,a vortex of wind1 for instance1 is a vast number of little particles of air1 turning all together in a circular direction1 and involving whatever comes in their way4 ,the planets you know are borne along by the celestial fluid1 which is prodigiously subtle and active4 ,all the celestial matter1 from the sun to the fixed stars1 constantly turns round1 carries the planets along with it1 and makes them proceed round the sun in the same direction1 but in longer or shorter periods1 according to their distance from the centre4 ,even the sun is made to turn on his axis by being exactly in the midst of this moving matter2 you will therefore observe1 that if the earth were in the central situation she could not be exempted from this rotation4 ,such is the great vortex of which the sun is master2 but the planets1 at the same time1 form little vortices in imitation of the sun4 ,each of them whilst turning round the sun1 turns likewise on itself1 and carries in its motion a certain portion of the celestial matter1 which is ready to receive any impulse that would not prevent it from following the general course3 this is a vortex of any particular planet1 and it extends as far as the motion of this planet has any influence4 ,if a smaller planet comes within the vortex of a larger one1 it is irresistibly carried round that larger one1 and altogether1 the large1 and the small planet1 and the vortex that encloses them1 perform their revolution round the sun4 ,thus at the commencement of creation we obliged the moon to follow us because she came within the influence of our vortex1 and was by that mean subjugated to our will4 ,jupiter1 the planet we were speaking of1 was more fortunate1 or more powerful than the earth4 ,four little planets were in his neighbourhood1 and he became master of them all2 and we1 who are a planet of some importance1 would probably have felt his power if we had been near him4 ,he is a thousand times larger than the earth2#ch and would easily have drawn us into his vortex1 and made us one of his moons2 instead of this we have a planet to attend on us3 so true is it that the situation into which we are thrown decides the fate of our lives4 ,footnote #ch3 ,we may even say thirteen hundred times4 ,and how do we know1 answered the ,marchioness1 that we shall always remain where we are8 ,i begin to tremble lest we should be foolish enough to approach such an enterprizing planet as ,jupiter1 or that he should come to us1 for the sake of drawing us into his vortex2 for ,i can't help thinking1 from your description of the agitated state of this celestial fluid1 that it must move the planets irregularly1 sometimes urging them nearer together1 sometimes sending them to a greater distance4 ,we may as well expect to gain as to lose by such an eccentric motion1 said ,i2 perhaps we may make a conquest of ,mercury or ,mars1 which are smaller planets1 and incapable of resisting us4 ,however we have no occasion for either hope or fear2 the planets will remain in their places2 and1 like the former kings of ,china1 they are forbidden to aim at conquest4 ,you have observed that when oil is mixed with water1 the oil swims at the top4 ,put any substance that is extremely light on both these1 and the oil will support it1 so that it shall not touch the water3 but put a heavier body1 of a certain weight1 it will pass through the oil1 which is too weak to stop it1 and keep falling till it meets the water1 which has sufficient force to bear it up4 ,thus two liquors put together1 being of unequal weight1 will not mix1 but place themselves in different situations2 and neither will one rise1 nor the other descend3 pour on these other liquors which are of a nature to remain separate1 and the same effect is still produced4 ,in like manner the celestial matter which fills this grand vortex1 is in separate strata1 encircling each other1 and of unequal weight1 like oil and water1 and some other liquors4 ,some planets likewise are heavier than others1#ci each therefore stops in the layer which has the degree of force necessary for supporting it1 and keeping it in a state of equilibrium2 and you must be convinced that it can never go beyond this stratum4 ,footnote #ci3 ,the ,cartesians carried their illusion so far as to believe that so solid a mass as a planet could be steadily supported by the therial fluid1 the most subtle of all fluids4 ,i understand1 replied the ,marchioness1 that the different degrees of weight are sufficient to keep them in their proper ranks4 ,i wish with all my heart there was some such regulating power among us1 that would serve to fix people in the situation most suitable to them6 ,you have quite removed my uneasiness with regard to ,jupiter4 ,i am very glad he will let us remain quietly with our little vortex1 and single moon4 ,i feel very well contented with one attendant1 and do not envy him his four4 ,you would do wrong if you did1 said ,i2 he has no more than are necessary4 ,he is five times farther from the sun than we1 that is1 a hundred and sixty-five#dj millions of leagues distant from it1 consequently his moons receive1 and reflect1 but a feeble light3 the number therefore compensates for the little effect produced by each3 were they not separately so inefficient1 four moons would appear unnecessary1 as ,jupiter turns on his axis in ten hours1 and of course the nights are very short4 ,the satellite which is the nearest to ,jupiter1 performs its circle round him in two-and-forty hours2 the next in three days and a half2 the third1 in seven2 the fourth1 in seventeen2 and by the inequality of their progress1 they form a most pleasing spectacle for this planet4 ,at one time they rise all four together2 then1 almost immediately separate2 sometimes they are all at the full1 placed in a line1 one above another2 afterwards they are seen at equal distances in the sky2 then when two are rising the other two will set4 ,above all ,i should like to see the perpetual variety of eclipses among them1 for there is not a day passes in which they do not eclipse each other1 or the sun4#da ,surely as eclipses are so familiar to the inhabitants of that world1 they must be considered a subject of amusement1 rather than terror1 as they are here4 ,footnote #dj3 ,calculating with more exactness1 #agi4 ,footnote #da3 ,or2 we may add1 in which they are not eclipsed by the shadow of ,jupiter1 which happens the most frequently4 ,you will not fail1 ,i suppose1 said the ,marchioness1 to people these four moons1 though they are only little subaltern planets1 intended merely to give light to another during the night4 ,undoubtedly not1 ,i replied4 ,these little planets are not unworthy of inhabitants because they are unfortunate enough to be subjected to a larger planet4 ,i think1 then1 answered she1 these satellites ought to be like colonies to ,jupiter2 that their inhabitants should1 if possible1 receive from him their laws and customs1 and in return1 render him some degree of homage1 and always consider the great planet with respect4 ,would it not be needful1 said ,i1 for the moons occasionally to send deputies to ,jupiter1 who should take an oath of fidelity to him8 ,i must own the little superiority we possess over the people in our moon makes me doubt whether ,jupiter has much influence over the inhabitants of his satellites1 and ,i think the only superiority he can aspire to is that of impressing them with awe4 ,for of what a terrific size he must appear6 ,to the planets nearest to him he looks sixteen hundred times larger than our moon appears to us4#db ,truly if the ,gauls in ancient times were afraid the heavens would fall and crush them to death1 the inhabitants of this moon may with greater propriety apprehend the fall of ,jupiter4 ,perhaps1 she replied1 that is the subject of alarm to them instead of the eclipses1 which you assure me they see without fear2#dc for as they are exempt from one folly1 they must be subject to some other4 ,undoubtedly1 answered ,i4 ,the inventor of a third system1 which ,i mentioned the other day1 the celebrated ,tycho ,brahe1 one of the greatest astronomers that ever lived1 felt none of the vulgar terror at an eclipse2 he was too much accustomed to study the nature of such a phenomenon2 but what do you think he was afraid of instead8--,if when he first went out of doors the first person he saw was an old woman2 or if a hare crossed the path he had taken1 ,tycho ,brahe thought the day would be unfortunate1 and returning in haste to his apartment1 he shut himself up without venturing to engage in any occupation whatever4 ,footnote #db3 ,thirty-six times larger than we see the moon3 and they receive from him one thousand two hundred and ninety times more light4 ,footnote #dc3 ,their solar eclipses are of much longer duration than ours4 ,it would be unjust1 said she1 if such a man as he could not with impunity overcome the fear of an eclipse1 for the inhabitants of the satellite we were speaking of1 to be exempted from it on easier terms4 ,we will not spare them3 they shall submit to the general doom2 and if they escape one error they shall be liable to another4 ,a difficulty has just occurred to me1 continued she1 you must remove it if you can3 if the earth is so small in comparison of ,jupiter1 are we visible to the inhabitants of that planet8 ,i am afraid we are unknown to them4 ,really ,i think so1 answered ,i2 the earth is certainly too small to be distinguished by them4#dd ,footnote #dd3 ,the earth at that distance must appear only three seconds and a half in diameter1 as the planet ,herschel does to us2 but our nearness to the sun necessarily prevents them from seeing us at all4 ,we can only hope that in ,jupiter there may be some astronomers who1 after taking great pains to compose very excellent telescopes1 and availing themselves of the finest nights for making their observations1 may at length discover a very little planet which they had never seen before4 ,at first the learned give an account of it in their journal2 the rest of the people either hear nothing about it1 or laugh at it when they do2 the philosophers are discouraged and resolve not to mention it again1 and but a few of the inhabitants who are more reasonable than the others will admit the idea4 ,by and by they examine again2 they see the little planet a second time2 they are then assured of its reality1 and even begin to think it has a motion round the sun4 ,after observing it a thousand times1 they find out that this revolution is performed in a year3 and at last1 when the learned have been at great pains to investigate the subject1 the inhabitants of ,jupiter know that our world is in the universe4 ,the curious eagerly look through their telescopes1 and with all their looking1 can scarcely discern it4 ,were it not disagreeable1 said she1 to know that from ,jupiter we can only be seen through telescopes1 ,i should amuse myself with the idea of all the glasses being pointed towards the earth as ours are towards him1 and the mutual curiosity with which the two planets examine each other1 and enquire1 ,what world is that8 ,what sort of people inhabit it8 ,your imagination is too rapid1 ,i replied2 when the astronomers of ,jupiter become acquainted with our earth1 they do not become acquainted with us3 they will not suspect the possibility of its being inhabited2 if any one should venture to express such an idea1 how they would laugh at him6 ,perhaps they would even persecute any philosopher who should maintain the opinion4 ,after all ,i think the inhabitants of ,jupiter are too much occupied in making discoveries on their own globe1 to concern themselves about us4 ,jupiter is of such extent1 that if they are adepts in navigation their ,christopher ,columbus must be fully employed4 ,the inhabitants cannot know1 even by reputation1 a hundredth part of the other inhabitants4 ,in ,mercury1 on the contrary1 they are all neighbours1 living familiarly together1 and hardly considering the tour of their world more than a pleasant walk4 ,if we are not visible to ,jupiter1 much less can ,venus be so1 who is at a still greater distance2#de and ,mercury must be most out of its reach of all1 being the smallest1 and the most distant4 ,however1 the inhabitants can see ,mars1 their own four satellites1 and ,saturn with all his moons4 ,surely then they have planets enough to perplex their astronomers2 nature1 in kindness1 has hid from them the rest4 ,footnote #de3 ,venus is not farther from ,jupiter1 but more concealed by the rays of the sun4 ,what6 cried the ,marchioness2 do you consider it a kindness8 ,without doubt1 answered ,i4 ,this great vortex contains sixteen planets2 nature to spare us the trouble of studying the motions of so many1 let us see but seven3 is not that a favour8 ,but not feeling the value of this mark of consideration1 we have1 with great pains1 discovered the other nine1 which had been concealed from us3 our curiosity brings its own punishment in the laborious study which astronomy now requires4 ,i see1 she replied1 by the number of planets you mention1 that ,saturn must have five moons4#df ,you are right1 said ,i2 and it is but just that he should have so many1 as he is thirty years in going round the sun2 and in some parts the nights last fifteen years1 for the same reason that on our globe1 which turns in a year1 there are nights1 beneath the poles of six months' duration4 ,but ,saturn1 being at twice the distance that ,jupiter is from the sun1 consequently ten times farther than the earth2 his five moons1 faintly as they are illumined1 would not give sufficient light during his nights1 he has therefore a wonderful resource1 the only one of the kind we have discovered in the universe3 'tis a large circle or ring#dg which environs the planet1 and which1 being sufficiently elevated to escape almost entirely the shadow of ,saturn1 reflects the sun's light on the darkened parts1 and reflects it more strongly than all the five moons1 because it is not so high as the lowest of them4 ,footnote #df3 ,he has seven1 and ,herschel six4 ,in all there are twenty-five planets1 without reckoning ninety-one comets known in #ahjj4 ,footnote #dg3 ,its exterior diameter is sixty seven thousand seven hundred leagues4 ,really1 said the ,marchioness1 with an air of deep reflection and astonishment1 all this is managed with wonderful order2 nature had certainly in these instances a view to the wants of living beings2 this admirable disposition of light was not the effect of chance4 ,only the planets which are distant from the sun have been provided with moons--the ,earth1 ,jupiter1 and ,saturn2 for ,venus did not require any2 nor ,mercury who already has too much light2 whose nights are extremely short1 and probably considered a greater blessing than even the days4 ,but stop--,i think ,mars1 who is farther from the sun than we1 is without a moon4 ,we cannot conceal the fact1 ,i replied2 he has none2 but he doubtless has resources for the night which we are ignorant of4 ,you have seen phosphorus2 matters of that kind1 whether liquid or dry1 receive and imbibe the light from the sun1 which they emit with some force when in the dark4 ,mars perhaps has high rocks of phosphorus that absorb1 in the day-time1 light enough to irradiate the night4 ,you must own it would be an agreeable sight for the rocks to light up as soon as the sun was set1 and without art1 produce the most magnificent illuminations1 that with all their radiance1 would not have the inconvenience of casting any heat4 ,in ,america1 you know1 there are birds which in the dark will afford light enough to read by3 how can we tell whether ,mars has not a great number of such birds1 who1 as soon as the night is come1 disperse themselves on every side1 and give an artificial day8 ,i am not satisfied1 answered she1 either with your rocks or birds4 ,they would be pretty enough to be sure2 but as nature has bestowed so many moons on ,saturn and ,jupiter1 it shews that moons are necessary4 ,i should have been very much pleased to find that all the worlds at a great distance from the sun had some1 if ,mars had not formed a disagreeable exception4 ,ah6 replied ,i1 if you were more deeply versed in philosophy you must accustom yourself to see exceptions to the best systems4 ,we clearly see that some things are adapted in the most perfect manner to their end2 others we accommodate as well as we can1 or perhaps are obliged to content ourselves with knowing nothing about them4 ,let us do so with respect to ,mars1 since our researches are fruitless1 and resolve to say no more about him4 ,we should be very much surprised1 were we on ,saturn1 to see during the night a great ring1 extending over our heads in a semi-circular form from one end of the horizon to the other2 and by reflecting the light of the sun1 would have the effect of a moon at every part of the circle4 ,and are we not to have inhabitants in this great ring8 said she1 laughing4 ,though ,i am disposed to place them wherever ,i can1 answered ,i1 ,i confess ,i dare not tell you there are any there2 this ring appears too irregular a dwelling4 ,as for the five moons1 we can't dispense with inhabitants for them4 ,if the ring1 however1 were what some suppose1 only a circle of moons1 following each other very closely1 with an equal motion1 and the satellites1 five of these moons escaped out of the ring1 what numbers of worlds would the vortex of ,saturn contain6 ,be that as it may1 the people in ,saturn are uncomfortable enough1 even with the help of their ring4 ,it gives then light1 it is true2 but what sort of light1 at that immense distance from the sun8 ,the sun himself1 which appears to them a hundred times smaller#dh than to us1 seems but a little pale star1 emitting but a feeble light or heat4 ,and could they be transported to our coldest countries1 such as ,greenland and ,lapland1 you would see them ready to expire with the heat4 ,if water were conveyed to their planet it would no longer be water1 but a polished stone1 and spirits of wine which never freeze here1 would become hard as diamond4 ,footnote #dh3 ,ten times less in diameter4 ,your description of ,saturn petrifies me1 said the ,marchioness2 though just now you almost threw me into a fever in talking of ,mercury4 ,two worlds1 answered ,i1 which are at the different extremities of an immense vortex1 must be totally unlike4 ,then1 replied she1 the people are very wise in ,saturn1 for you told me they were all mad in ,mercury4 ,if they are not very wise1 answered ,i1 they are at least1 ,i suppose1 very phlegmatic4 ,their features could not accommodate themselves to a smile2 they require a day's consideration before they answer any question1 and they would think ,cato of ,atica unmanly and frivolous4 ,i am thinking1 said she1 that all the inhabitants of ,saturn are slow2 all those of ,mercury are quick2 amongst us some belong to the former class1 some to the latter2 may not that be in consequence of the earth's being placed just in the middle situation and participating of both extremes8 ,the men of our world have no determined character2 some are like the inhabitants of ,mercury2 others resemble those of ,saturn1 in short we are a compound of all the other planets4 ,that's a good idea1 replied ,i2 we form such a ludicrous assemblage that it might easily be imagined we had been brought together from a variety of worlds4 ,we are therefore very well situated for studying character1 for this is an abstract of all the planets4 ,at any rate1 rejoined the ,marchioness1 the situation of our world has one great convenience2 the heat is not oppressive as at ,mercury or ,venus1 nor the cold so benumbing as at ,jupiter or ,saturn4 ,and we are in a part of the earth that is not subject to the greatest degrees of heat and cold experienced even on our own globe4 ,if a certain philosopher returned thanks to his ,creator for having formed him a man1 and not a beast2 a ,greek and not a ,barbarian2 ,i think we ought to be grateful for being born on the most temperate planet in the universe1 and in one of the most temperate parts of that planet4 ,you ought likewise1 madam1 said ,i1 to be thankful for being young1 and not old2 young and handsome1 not young and ugly2 a young and handsome ,french woman1 not a young and handsome ,italian3 there are many things to excite your gratitude besides the temperature of your climate4 ,ah6 replied she1 let us be grateful for every thing1 even the vortex in which we are placed4 ,the happiness we enjoy is but little1 we must not lose any of it2 it is well to cultivate an interest in the most common things4 ,if we are only alive to strong emotions our pleasures will be few1 seldom attainable1 and dearly purchased4 ,promise me then1 said ,i1 that when such animated pleasures are within your reach you will think of the vortices and me1 and not neglect us entirely4 ,very well1 said she3 but will philosophy always afford me new enjoyments8 ,for to-morrow1 at least1 answered ,i3 ,i have the fixed stars in reserve for you1 which surpass all that you have yet examined4 ,,fifth ,,evening4 ,,every ,,fixed ,,star ,,is ,a ,,sun1 ,,which ,,diffuses ,,light ,,to ,,its ,,surrounding ,,worlds4 ,the ,marchioness was very impatient to know what the fixed stars were4 ,are they inhabited1 like the planets8 said she1 or are they not peopled8 ,what can we make of them8 ,perhaps you would find out what they are1 answered ,i1 if you were to try4 ,the fixed stars cannot be at less distance from the earth1 than twenty-seven thousand1 six hundred and sixty times#di the earth's distance from the sun1 which is thirty-three millions of leagues3 perhaps some astronomers would tell you they are farther still4 ,the space between the ,sun and ,saturn1 the most distant planet1 is only three hundred and thirty millions of leagues2 that is but a trifle in comparison of the distance between the sun1 or earth1 and the fixed stars1 in fact1 we don't take the trouble to compute it4 ,their light1 as you perceive1 is brilliant3 if they received it from the sun1 it must be very faint after travelling such an immense journey1 and by reflecting it to us it would be still more weakened4 ,it would be impossible for light1 which had twice gone such a long space1 to appear so bright as that of the fixed stars4 ,they are therefore luminous in their nature1 or in other words1 they are so many suns4 ,footnote #di3 ,or even two hundred thousand times4 ,do ,i mistake1 cried the ,marchioness1 or do ,i see your drift8 ,are you not going to say the fixed stars are all suns3 our sun is the centre of a vortex which turns around him2 why should not each fixed star be also the centre of a vortex1 turning round it8 ,our sun enlightens planets2 why should not every fixed star likewise enlighten planets8 ,i need make no other answer1 replied ,i1 than ,phdrus made to ,enone3 thou hast named it4 ,but1 rejoined she1 you are making the universe so unbounded that ,i feel lost in it2 ,i don't know where ,i am1 not what ,i'm about4 ,what6 are they all vortices heaped in confusion on one another8 ,is every fixed star the centre of a vortex1 as large perhaps as ours8#ej ,the amazing space comprehending our sun and planets is but a little portion of the universe8 ,an equal space1 occupied by each of these vortices8 ,the thought is fearful2 overwhelming6 ,for my part1 said ,i1 ,i think it very pleasing4 ,were the sky only a blue arch to which the stars were fixed1 the universe would seem narrow and confined2 there would not be room to breathe3 now that we attribute an infinitely greater extent and depth to this blue firmament1 by dividing it into thousands of vortices1 ,i seem to be more at liberty2 to live in a freer air2 and nature appears with astonishingly encreased magnificence4 ,creation is boundless in treasures2 lavish in endowments4 ,how grand the idea of this immense number of vortices1 the middle of each occupied by a sun1 encompassed with planets which turn around him6 ,the inhabitants of one of these numberless vortices1 on every side behold the suns of surrounding vortices1 although the planets belonging to them are invisible1 as the light they receive from their suns cannot penetrate beyond their own vortex4 ,footnote #ej3 ,that may be the case1 but we have no proof that there are planets turning round these stars4 ,you are directing my eye1 answered she1 to an interminable perspective4 ,i see1 plainly enough1 the inhabitants of the earth2 then you enable me to discover1 with somewhat less clearness1 those of the moon and other planets contained in our vortex4 ,after all that you require me to view the people that dwell in planets belonging to other vortices4 ,i must confess they are so much in the back ground that with all my efforts they are scarcely perceptible to me4 ,in short do they not seem almost annihilated by the very expression you are obliged to make use of in describing them8 ,you must call them the inhabitants of one of the planets1 contained in one1 out of the infinity of vortices4 ,surely the very idea of ourselves is as nothing when such a description is applied to us1 when we are thus lost amongst millions of worlds4 ,for my part1 the earth begins to diminish into such a speck1 that in future ,i shall hardly consider any object worthy of eager pursuit4 ,surely people1 who form unnumbered schemes of aggrandizement1 who are wearing themselves out in following up projects of ambition1 are ignorant of the vortices4 ,i think my augmentation of knowledge will encrease my idleness1 and when ,i am reproached for being indolent ,i shall reply1 ,ah6 if you knew the history of the fixed stars6 ,alexander could not have been acquainted with it1 answered ,i2 for a certain author1 who believes that the moon is inhabited1 tells us very seriously that it was impossible for ,aristotle to avoid receiving so rational an opinion1 7could ,aristotle be ignorant of any truth87 but that he never disclosed it for fear of displeasing ,alexander1 who would have been miserable to hear of a world that he could not subjugate4 ,there would have been a still greater reason for keeping the vortices of the fixed stars a secret2 if any body in those days had known them1 they would not have thought of ingratiating themselves with the monarch by talking of them4 ,it is unfortunate that ,i who am acquainted with the system should not be able to reap any benefit from it4 ,according to your reasoning it will only be an antidote to the disquietudes of ambition2 that is not my malady4 ,the weakness ,i am most addicted to is an excessive admiration of beauty1 and ,i fear the vortices will have no power to assist me in overcoming it4 ,the immense number of worlds destroys the grandeur of this1 but it does not lessen the charms of a fine pair of eyes or a beautiful mouth1 they retain their power in spite of all the worlds that can be created4 ,love is a strange thing1 said she1 laughing2 it escapes every corrective2 there is no system that can abate its influence4 ,but answer me seriously2 have you sufficient reason for believing this system8 ,to me it appears to rest on an uncertain foundation4 ,a fixed star is of a luminous nature like the sun1 therefore you say it must1 like the sun1 be a centre to a vortex containing planets which travel round the sun4 ,now1 is that a necessary consequence8 ,listen1 madam1 ,i replied2 we are so naturally disposed to mingle the follies of gallantry with our gravest discussions1 that mathematical reasoning partakes of the nature of love4 ,grant ever so little to a lover1 and presently you are forced to grant him a great deal more1 and so on till you don't know how to stop4 ,in like manner admit any principle a mathematician proposes1 he then draws a consequence which you are obliged to admit1 and from that consequence another1 and thus before you are aware he carries you so far that on a sudden you wonder where you have got to3 these two characters always take more than you mean to give them4 ,you must own that when two things are similar in all that ,i know of them1 ,i may reasonably think them similar in what ,i am unacquainted with in respect to them4 ,from that principle ,i draw the conclusion of the moon being inhabited because she resembled the earth2 and the other planets1 because they resemble the moon4 ,and because the fixed stars bear a resemblance to our sun1 ,i attribute to them all that he possesses4 ,you have already made too many concessions to draw back1 you must go on2 do it therefore with a good grace4 ,but1 said she1 in admitting this resemblance between the fixed stars and our sun1 we must suppose that the inhabitants of another great vortex see it as a little fixed star1 visible only during their nights4 ,that is indisputable1 ,i replied4 ,our sun is so near to us in comparison of the suns belonging to other vortices that his light must be incomparably stronger to us than to them4 ,when he is risen we can discern no other heavenly body3 so1 in another vortex1 another sun eclipses ours1 and permits it to appear only at night1 with all the other suns1 then visible4 ,with them1 fixed to the blue firmament1 our sun forms a part of some imaginary figure4 ,as to the planets that go round him1 as they are not seen at so great a distance1 they are not so much as thought of4 ,thus all the suns are daily luminaries to their own vortex1 and nightly ones to all the other vortices4 ,each reigns alone in his own system2 elsewhere1 is but one of a great number4 ,nevertheless1 do not these worlds differ from each other in a thousand instances1 notwithstanding this equality8 for a general resemblance does not exclude a vast number of dissimilarities4 ,surely1 answered ,i3 but the difficulty is to find them out4 ,for ought we know one vortex may have more planets revolving round its sun1 another fewer4 ,in one there are subaltern planets1 turning round the principal planets2 in another they may be all alike4 ,here they all collect round their sun in a circle1 beyond which is an empty space which extends to the neighbouring vortices2 in other parts of the universe they may have their orbits at the extremities of their vortex whilst the centre is left empty4 ,and very likely there are some vortices without any planets2 others1 whose suns1 not being in the centre1 have a circular revolution1 carrying their planets along with them2 others1 again1 whose planets may rise and set with regard to their sun according to the change of that equilibrium which keeps them suspended--,what would you have more8 ,surely here is enough for a person who has never been beyond one vortex4 ,all that is nothing1 she replied1 for the number of worlds4 ,what you have been imagining would suffice but for five or six1 instead of millions4 ,if you talk of millions now1 said ,i1 how will you count them when ,i tell you there are many more fixed stars than you discover2 that with telescopes an endless number are seen which are invisible to the naked eye2 and that in a single constellation1 where we might before have counted a dozen or fifteen1 there have been found as many as we were accustomed to observe throughout the heavens8#ea ,footnote #ea3 ,i conclude1 from a pretty accurate calculation1 that we may perceive a hundred millions with a telescope that has an opening of four feet2 ,i have clearly distinguished fifty thousand1 and my glass is but two inches and a half in diameter4 ,have pity on me1 cried she2 ,i yield2 you have overwhelmed me with worlds and vortices4 ,ah6 said ,i1 but ,i must add something more still2 you see that white part of the sky1 called the milky-way4 ,can you guess what it is8--,an infinity of little stars1 invisible to our eyes on account of their smallness1 and placed so close to each other that they seem but a stream of light4 ,i wish ,i had a telescope here to shew you this cluster of worlds4 ,in some measure1 they resemble the ,maldivia ,isles1 those twelve thousand little islands or banks of sand1 separated only by narrow canals of the sea which one might almost leap over4 ,the little vortices of the milky-way must be so close1 that from one world to another the people might converse or shake hands4 ,the birds1 at least1 ,i think1 can go from one world to another2 and pigeons may be taught to carry letters as they do in our ,levant from one town to another4 ,these little worlds must deviate from the general rule by which the sun of any vortex effaces1 at its rising1 all the other suns4 ,in one of the little vortices contained in the milky-way the sun of that particular vortex can hardly appear closer to its planets1 or more brilliant1 than a hundred thousand other suns1 in the neighbouring vortices4 ,the sky1 then1 is filled with a countless quantity of fires almost close to each other4 ,when they lose sight of their own sun1 they have thousands still remaining2 and the night is not less enlightened than the day2 at least the difference is so trifling that we may say there is no night4 ,the inhabitants of those worlds1 accustomed as they are to perpetual light1 would be very much astonished to hear of miserable creatures who spend half their time in profound darkness2 and who1 even during the light of day1 see but one sun4 ,they would think we had fallen under the displeasure of nature1 and shudder at our condition4 ,i don't ask you1 said the ,marchioness1 whether they have any moons in the milky-way2 they could be of no use to the principal planets1 since they have no nights1 and besides that1 move in so small a space that they could not be encumbered with subaltern planets4 ,but1 continued she1 by multiplying worlds so liberally1 you give rise to a great difficulty4 ,the vortices1 of which we see the suns1 touch our vortex3 the vortices you say are round2 can so many circles touch this single one8 ,i can't understand how it is4 ,it shews a great deal of sense1 answered ,i1 to discover this difficulty1 and even to be unable to solve it1 for it is in itself well founded1 and in the way you conceive it1 unanswerable2 therefore there would be but little proof of wisdom in finding an answer to what was incapable of any4 ,if our vortex were in the figure of a die1 it would have six flat sides1 which is very far from a circle2 on each of these sides might then be placed a vortex of the same shape4 ,if instead of six1 it had twenty1 fifty1 or a thousand1 flat sides1 an equal number of vortices might come in contact with it1 each resting against one of these sides4 ,you know the greater number of flat sides a body has1 the nearer it approaches in form to a circle2 so that a diamond cut into a great number of facets1 if they were extremely small1 would be nearly as round as a pearl of the same size4 ,the vortices are only circular in this manner4 ,they have an amazing number of flat sides1 each of which is close to another vortex4 ,these sides are very unequal2 some larger1 some smaller4 ,the smallest correspond to those of the milky-way4 ,if two vortices leave any space between1 which must often be the case1 nature1 to make the most of the extent1 fills up the vacancy by one or two1 or perhaps a thousand1 little vortices1 which without incommoding any of the others1 form one1 two1 or a thousand more systems of worlds2 so there may be many more worlds than our vortex has sides2 and ,i dare say1 though these little vortices are formed merely to fill up spare corners of the universe that would otherwise have been useless2 though they may be overlooked by the neighbouring vortices1 yet they are quite satisfied with themselves4 ,it is probably such little vortices whose suns we cannot discover without telescopes1 of which there is a prodigious number4 ,in short all these vortices are adjusted in the best order imaginable2 and as each of them must turn round its sun without changing place1 it is formed to move in the most easy and commodious manner for that purpose4 ,they1 as it were1 catch hold of each other1 like the wheels of a watch1 and mutually assist the motion4 ,it is likewise true that in a sense they counteract one another3 each vortex if it had no external pressure would extend itself2 but when it attempts to swell it is repelled by the surrounding vortices1 which forces it to shrink back2 then it extends again1 and so on3#eb some philosophers think that the fixed stars give such a sparkling1 intermittent light in consequence of this alternate expansion and contraction of the vortices4 ,footnote #eb3 ,the preservation of the starry system is more satisfactorily explained by attraction2 they are all kept in equilibrium by their mutual attraction4 ,there is something agreeable1 said the ,marchioness1 in the idea of such a combat among the worlds1 and the reciprocal emission of light produced by it1 which apparently is the only communication carried on between them4 ,no1 no1 ,i replied1 that is not the only one4 ,the neighbouring worlds sometimes send us visitors1 who come1 in a very magnificent style4 ,these visitors are comets1#ec ornamented with brilliant flowing hair1 a venerable beard1 or a majestic train4 ,footnote #ec3 ,it is indisputably proved that the comets belong to our solar system4 ,ah6 what ambassadors8 said she1 laughing4 ,we could dispense with their company1 for they only frighten us4 ,they only frighten children1 answered ,i1 because their appearance is extraordinary2 but there are many children among us4 ,the comets are merely planets1 belonging to another system4 ,their orbit was towards the extremity of their vortex1 which was perhaps differently compressed by those that surrounded it2 the lower side1 on that account was flatter than the top1 and the lower side was next to us4 ,these planets1 beginning at the upper part to form their circle1 did not foresee that it would extend beyond the limit of their vortex1 at the lower part2 in order1 therefore1 to continue their circular journey1 they were obliged to enter the extremities of the next vortex1 which we will suppose is ours4 ,they always appear to us extremely elevated1 moving on the other side of ,saturn4 ,considering the prodigious distance of the fixed stars1 there must be between ,saturn and the extremities of our vortex a great space void of planets4 ,our enemies reproach us with the inutility of this space1 but we find there is a use for it1 as it is devoted to the service of foreign planets that occasionally enter our system4 ,i understand1 said she2 we don't allow them to penetrate into the heart of our vortex1 and mix with our planets2 we receive them as the ,grand ,signior receives the ambassadors that are sent to him4 ,he does not honour them with a lodging in ,constantinople1 but assigns them one in the environs4 ,there is another point of resemblance1 ,i replied1 between us and the ,ottomans3 they receive ambassadors without sending any in return2 and we receive the comets without sending any of our planets to return their visits4 ,from all these circumstances1 answered she1 we seem to be very proud3 yet we should not hastily form that conclusion2 these strange planets have a very menacing air with their beards and trains2 perhaps they are only sent to insult us2 ours not having so imposing an appearance would not be so well calculated to inspire those worlds with awe4 ,the tails and beards1 ,i replied1 are merely extraneous3 the planets themselves do not differ from ours2 but in entering our vortex they assume the beard or train from a certain illumination derived from our sun4 ,this1 by the bye1 has not been very well explained by our astronomers2 however1 they are sure it is only some sort of illumination1 and they must tell us more of it when they can4 ,then ,i wish1 rejoined she1 that our ,saturn would take a beard or a tail1 and frighten the other vortices2 then laying aside his terrific appendages1 return to us and perform his ordinary functions4 ,he would do better to stay where is1 answered ,i4 ,you recollect ,i explained to you the shock produced by the repulsive power of each vortex3 ,i think a poor planet must be violently shaken in such a situation1 and the inhabitants cannot feel much the better for passing through it4 ,we think ourselves vastly unfortunate when a comet makes its appearance1 whereas we ought to consider the comet most unfortunate4 ,i am not inclined to pity it1 said the ,marchioness2 ,i dare say all its inhabitants arrive here in good health1 and it must be extremely entertaining to them to go into a new vortex4 ,we who always remain in our own have but a dull life4 ,if the people in a comet have the sense to know the time at which they shall pass into our vortex1 those who have already been the journey1 are just before busily employed in describing to the rest what they will see4 ,speaking of ,saturn1 they say3 ,you will presently see a planet with a great ring round it4 ,then1 you will discover one followed by four small planets4 ,some of these people1 perhaps are set to watch the moment of entering our system3 when it is arrived they cry new sun1 new sun1 as our sailors exclaim land1 land4 ,i find then1 said ,i1 it is useless to attempt raising your compassion for the comets3 ,i hope1 however1 you will not refuse it to the inhabitants of a vortex whose sun has been extinguished1 and who are thus condemned to perpetual darkness4 ,suns extinguished8 cried she4 ,yes1 undoubtedly1 ,i replied4 ,the ancients saw certain fixed stars which are no longer visible4#ed ,these suns have been deprived of their light3 ruin must have ensued throughout the vortex2 a general mortality on all the planets2 for how could existence be maintained without the sun8 ,the thought is too dreadful1 said she2 is it not possible to evade it8 ,i'll tell you1 answered ,i1 what some very intelligent people have imagined4 ,they think that the fixed stars that have disappeared are not extinct1 but partly darkened2 that is to say1 that they have one side obscure2 the other luminous3 that as they turn on themselves1 they first present the light part to us1 and then the dark1 when that is the case we cease to see them4 ,apparently the fifth moon belonging to ,saturn is in this condition1 for during one part of its revolution we entirely lose sight of it2 at which time it is not most remote from the earth2 on the contrary1 it is then sometimes nearer than when visible4 ,though this moon is a planet1 and therefore cannot exactly guide our opinion with respect to suns1 yet we may suppose that a sun can be partly covered by fixed spots4 ,to spare you the pain of believing the other opinion1 we will adopt this1 which is more agreeable3 but ,i can only receive it when applied to such fixed stars as have a regular time for appearing and disappearing1 as some have lately been observed to do1 otherwise we cannot suppose them half suns4 ,what must we say to the stars that disappear1 and do not become visible after a time that would certainly have been sufficient for turning on their axis8 ,you are too just to require me to believe that they are half suns3 however ,i will do all in my power to serve you2 we will conclude that these stars are not extinguished1 but plunged in the unfathomable depth of the sky1 and thus become invisible2 in this case the vortex would accompany its sun1 and all go on as usual4 ,it is true that the greatest part of the fixed stars have not any motion which removes them farther from us1 for if they were not always equally distant1 they would sometimes appear larger1 sometimes smaller2 but that is not the case4 ,footnote #ed3 ,in #aegb and #afjd1 some beautiful stars appeared to burst into light1 and afterwards become extinct4 ,astron4 ,art4 #gib4 ,we will therefore suppose that some of the small vortices1 being light and active1 slip betwixt the others1 and return after they have made their tour1 whilst the larger systems remain immoveable4 ,but there is one inevitable misfortune3 there are some fixed stars1 which for a long time are alternately visible and invisible1 and at length totally disappear4 ,half suns would re-appear at a regular time2 others that had retreated to an immense distance would at once disappear1 and be concealed for a very long time3 exert therefore all your resolution1 madam2 these stars are certainly suns which grow so dark as to be invisible to us1 then resume their brightness1 and afterwards are entirely extinguished4 ,how1 exclaimed the ,marchioness1 can a sun1 a source of light1 become darkened8 ,with the greatest ease1 answered ,i1 if ,descartes be in the right4 ,he imagines that the spots on our sun1 being impurities1 or vapours1 may grow thick1 collect together1 form themselves into a mass1 and continue to encrust the sun till it is quite hid4 ,if1 the sun is a fire connected with a solid matter1 serving as its aliment1 we are not in a better condition2 the solid matter may be consumed4 ',tis said we have already had a fortunate escape3 the sun during several years1 7the year1 for instance1 after the death of ,csar27 appeared very pale2 owing to the encrustation which was beginning to form4 ,the sun had sufficient force to break and disperse it2 had it continued1 we should have been lost4 ,you make me tremble1 said the ,marchioness4 ,now ,i know the consequences of paleness in the sun1 instead of going to my glass every morning to see if ,i am pale1 ,i think ,i shall go and look whether the sun is so4 ,take courage1 madam1 ,i replied1 it requires a good deal of time to ruin a system of worlds4 ,but1 answered she1 it seems as if time would inevitably effect it4 ,i cannot take upon me to deny it1 said ,i4 ,the immense mass of matter which composes the universe is in continual motion1 even the smallest particles of it1 and since there is this motion we are in danger1 for changes must happen1 either slowly or rapidly1 but always in a time proportioned to the effect4 ,the ancients were so vastly wise as to imagine the heavenly bodies were of such a nature as never to alter1 because they had not observed any alteration in them4 ,had they leisure to assure themselves of this by experience8 ,compared with us the ancients were young3 if flowers that last but a day were to transmit their histories to each other1 the first would draw the resemblance of their gardener in a certain way2 after fifteen thousand ages of these flowers had elapsed1 others would still describe him in the same manner4 ,they would say2 ,we have always had the same gardener1 the memoirs composed by our ancestors prove this to be the case2 all their representations exactly apply to him2 surely he is not mortal like us2 no change will ever take place in him4 ,would the reasoning of these flowers be conclusive8--it would have a better foundation than that of the ancients respecting the celestial bodies2 and had there never to this day been observed any change in the heavens1 though they should appear likely to remain much longer without alteration1 ,i would not yet decide on them2 ,i should think more experience necessary4 ,should the term of our existence1 which is but a moment1 be the measure for other durations8 ,ought we to assert that what has lasted a hundred thousand times longer than we1 must last for ever8 ,no1 ages on ages of our duration would scarcely be any indication of immortality4 ,truly1 said the ,marchioness1 ,i think these worlds can have no pretensions to it4 ,i shall not do them the honour to compare them with the gardener who outlives so many transient flowers2 they are but as those flowers themselves1 springing up and fading away1 one after another3 for ,i suppose1 if old stars disappear1 new ones become visible2 the species cannot otherwise be continued4 ,yes1 answered ,i1 we need not fear the extinction of the species4 ,some will tell you these new stars are only suns which re-approach us after having been for a long time at a distant part of the heavens4 ,others think they are suns that have broken through the crust that began to cover them4 ,i easily conceive the possibility of all this2 but ,i think it equally possible for new suns to be created4 ,why should not the matter that is fit to compose a sun1 after having been dispersed in various places1 be at length gathered together in one spot and then become the foundation of a new system of worlds8 ,i am the more inclined to this opinion because it answers better to the grand idea ,i entertain of the works of nature4 ,has she no way of producing and destroying plants and animals but by a continual revolution8 ,i am persuaded1 and ,i doubt not that by this time you are so too1 that she exerts the same power with respect to the worlds4 ,but on such subjects we can only form conjectures4 ,the fact is that for nearly a century past1 in which1 by the help of telescopes1 almost a new heaven has been discovered1 unknown to the ancients1 there have been few of the constellations in which some sensible alteration has not taken place2#ee the greatest number of changes is observed in the milky-way1 as if more motion and bustle existed among this heap of worlds4 ,really1 said the ,marchioness1 ,i find the worlds1 in short all the heavenly bodies1 so liable to change that ,i have quite overcome the horror ,i felt at the idea of the suns being extinguished4 ,well1 replied ,i1 to prevent you from relapsing1 we will say no more about them1 we are arrived at the uppermost part of the heavens1 and to inform you whether there are any stars beyond that1 exceeds my skill4 ,you may place more worlds or not2 just as you are disposed4 ,these invisible countries should1 in propriety1 be left to the philosophers3 they may imagine them to exist1 or not exist1 or to exist in any way they chuse4 ,i shall content myself with having directed your mind to all that is discernible by your sight4 ,footnote #ee3 ,this is not proved4 ,ah6 she exclaimed1 then ,i am acquainted with the whole system of the universe6 how learned ,i am6 ,yes1 said ,i1 you are learned enough in all reason1 and your knowledge is attended with this convenience1--you may extract your belief of all ,i have told you whenever you think proper4 ,i only ask as a reward for my trouble1 that whenever you see the sun1 the sky1 and the stars1 you will think on me4#ef ,footnote #ef3 ,as ,i have given these conversations to the public1 ,i think it would not be right to conceal any thing which passed on the subject ,i shall publish another dialogue of the same kind that we had a long while after these4 ,it shall be entitled the ,sixth ,evening1 as the rest were evening scenes4 ,,sixth ,,evening4 ,,additional ,,thoughts ,,in ,,confirmation ,,of ,,those ,,in ,,the ,,preceding ,,conversations4--,,discoveries ,,that ,,have ,,been ,,lately ,,made ,,in ,,the ,,heavens4 ,for a long time the ,marchioness and ,i said nothing about the plurality of worlds1 we had apparently forgotten that we had ever talked on the subject4 ,i went one day to her house1 and just as ,i entered1 two men of some talents and celebrity were going out4 ,you see1 said she1 what visitors ,i have had2 ,i assure you they are gone away with a suspicion that you have turned my brain4 ,i should be very proud of such an achievement answered ,i2 it would shew my power1 for ,i think one could not devise a more difficult undertaking4 ,well1 replied she1 ,i am afraid you have accomplished it4 ,i don't know how it happened1 but whilst my two friends1 whom you met at the door1 were here1 the conversation turned on the plurality of worlds2 perhaps they had an invidious design in directing it to that subject4 ,i immediately told them all the planets were inhabited4 ,one of them said he was certain ,i could not be of that opinion3 in the most unaffected manner1 ,i maintained my sincerity2 he continued to think ,i was only feigning1 and ,i believe he had too great a regard for me to admit the possibility of my having really adopted so extravagant an opinion4 ,the other1 from esteeming me less1 did not doubt my veracity4 ,why have you made me obstinately adhere to sentiments which people who have the greatest friendship for me will not suffer themselves to believe me possessed with8 ,but1 madam1 answered ,i1 why did you maintain these opinions seriously1 when talking with persons that ,i am sure would not gravely argue on any subject8 ,should we thus trifle with the inhabitants of the planets8 ,let us1 who believe their existence1 be content to remain a little select band1 and not disclose our mysteries to the vulgar4 ,vulgar6 exclaimed she2 do you reckon those two men among the vulgar8 ,they have good understandings1 said ,i2 but they never reason4 ,grave reasoners1 who are austere people1 would not hesitate to place them in that class4 ,they however take their revenge by ridiculing the reasoners4 ,we should if possible accommodate ourselves to persons of both characters2 it would have been better to speak jestingly of the planetary inhabitants to such men as your two friends1 since they are accustomed to pleasantry1 than to enter on an argument1 for which they have no talents4 ,you would have retained their good opinion without depriving the planets of a single inhabitant4 ,would you have meanly sacrificed the truth8 answered she4 ,where is your conscience8 ,i must own1 ,i replied1 ,i have not much zeal for truths of this nature2 ,i would readily forbear to maintain them if it suited my convenience4 ,the cause which prevents people from believing the planets to be inhabited is1 that they appear to them only bodies placed in the heavens to give light1 instead of globes consisting of meadows and fruitful countries4 ,we readily believe that meadows and fields are inhabited1 but it is thought ridiculous to assert that mere luminous bodies are4 ',tis in vain that reason informs us of fields in the planets2 reason comes too late1 the first coup-d'il has impressed our minds before-hand1 and this impression is not willingly parted with4 ,the planets1 'tis said1 are only luminous bodies2 what sort of inhabitants then can they have8 ,our imaginations do not enable us to distinguish their figures1 therefore it is the shortest way to deny their existence4 ,would you require me1 for the sake of establishing the idea of these inhabitants1 whose interest cannot be very dear to me1 to attack all the powers of the senses and the imagination8 ,such an enterprize would demand a vast deal of courage4 ,men are not easily persuaded to see through their reason1 rather than their eyes4 ,some few persons are rational enough to believe1 after a thousand proofs have been given them1 that the planets are worlds like ours1 but they do not believe it in the same way they would do1 if they had not seen them apparently so different2 they always recur to the first idea they had formed1 and can never wholly divest themselves of it4 ,these people seem to condescend to our opinion1 and only patronize it from a love of singularity4 ,is not that enough1 said she2 for an opinion that is merely probable8 ,you would be astonished1 answered ,i1 if ,i told you the word probable was too modest for the occasion4 ,is it merely probable that ,alexander has been in existence8 ,no1 you consider it certain2 and what is the ground of your certainty8 ,is it not that you have had every proof that such a subject requires1 and that no circumstance leads you to doubt the fact8 ,you have never seen ,alexander1 nor have you any mathematical demonstration of his existence4 ,what would you say if this were the case with respect to the inhabitants of the planets8 ,we cannot shew them to you1 nor can you require us to demonstrate their being1 in a mathematical way2 but you have all the evidence that can be desired3 the entire resemblance between the planets and the inhabited earth2 the impossibility of imagining any other use for which they could be created2 the fruitfulness and magnificence of nature2 the attention she seems to have paid to the wants of their inhabitants1 such as giving moons to those planets that were very remote from the sun1 and the greatest number of moons to the most distant3 and it is an important consideration that every thing is on that side of the question1 without any objections to counterbalance it2 you cannot for a moment doubt unless you resume the vulgar mode of seeing and thinking4 ,in fact it is impossible to have more evidence1 and evidence of a more determinate kind2 how then can you treat this opinion as a mere probability8 ,but do you think1 said she1 ,i can feel as certain that the planets are inhabited1 as that ,alexander has been in existence8 ,by no means1 ,i replied2 for although1 on the subject we are speaking of we have as many proofs as in our situation we can receive1 yet these proofs are not numerous4 ,i protest1 exclaimed she1 ,i'll renounce these planetary inhabitants1 for ,i don't know whether to believe there are any or not--it is not certain1 yet it is more than possible--,i am quite perplexed4 ,do not be discouraged1 madam1 ,i replied4 ,clocks that are made in the most common manner shew the hour2 those only that are made with more exquisite art1 indicate the minutes2 in like manner common minds see a great difference between probability and absolute certainty2 but it is only superior understandings that ascertain the degrees of certainty or of probability1 and who1 if ,i may use the expression1 can tell the minutes as well as the hours4 ,place the inhabitants of the planets a little below ,alexander in point of certainty1 but above a vast number of historical relations which are not entirely proved2 ,i think that is their proper place4 ,i love order1 said she1 you do me a kindness in giving arrangement to my ideas3 why did you not do this before8 ,because1 answered ,i1 whether you attribute to this idea a little more1 or a little less certainty than it possesses is not of much consequence4 ,i am certain you do not feel so assured as you ought to do of the earth's motion3 are you the less happy on that account8 ,oh6 as to that opinion1 ,i am sure ,i do my duty2 you have no right to complain of me1 for ,i firmly believe that the earth turns4 ,yet ,i have not given you the most convincing proof of it1 answered ,i4 ,you use me very ill1 said she1 to make one believe things without sufficient reason2 am ,i unworthy to hear the best arguments8 ,i wished to prove my opinions1 ,i replied1 by easy1 entertaining arguments2 would you have had me make use of such solid1 sturdy ones as ,i should have attacked a doctor with8 ,certainly1 said she2 now fancy me a doctor1 and let me have this new proof of the earth's motion4 ,with all my heart1 answered ,i2 it is this1 and ,i am vastly pleased with it1 because ,i think ,i found it out myself2 but it is so good and so natural that ,i can hardly hope to have been the inventor4 ,i am sure an obstinate learned man who wished to oppose it1 would be forced to talk a great deal on the occasion2 and that is the only way in which a scholar can be overcome4 ,it is evident either that all the heavenly bodies go round the earth in four-and-twenty hours1 or the earth1 turning on her axis1 only imagines the motion in them4 ,it is the most improbable thing in the world that they should in reality go round the earth in that short space of time1 though we are not at first aware of the absurdity of such an opinion4 ,all the planets certainly revolve round the sun3 but these revolutions are unequal from the unequal distances at which they are placed from the sun3 the most remote1 as we might naturally suppose1 take a longer time than the rest4 ,this order is observed even in the satellites that go round a large planet4 ,jupiter's four moons1 and the five belonging to ,saturn1 require a longer or shorter time to move round their planet according to their distance from it4 ,it is further ascertained that the planets have a rotation on their own axis2 the time of this is likewise unequal2 we cannot tell the cause of such inequality1 whether it depends on the different size1 or the degree of solidity of the planets1 or on the different degrees of rapidity of the vortices in which they are enclosed1 and the liquid matter by which they are carried along2#eg this inequality however is certain1 and in general we find that the order of nature is such as to admit of particular variations in things that are regulated by the same rules4 ,footnote #eg3 ,we can assign no reason2 the irregularity depends on the original cause1 whatever that cause may be1 which at first determined their motions4 ,i understand1 said the ,marchioness2 ,i am quite of your opinion2 if the planets moved round the earth1 the time employed by each would be different1 according to their various distances1 as is the case in their revolutions round the sun3 is not that what you mean8 ,precisely so1 madam1 answered ,i2 their unequal distances from the earth would produce an inequality in their revolutions round her3 and the fixed stars1 being so extremely remote from us1 so far beyond all that could have a general movement round us1 at least situated in a place where such a motion must be very feeble1 is there any probability of their revolving round us in four-and-twenty hours1 like the moon which is so near to us8 ,ought not the comets likewise which do not belong to our vortex1 which have such irregular courses1 and such different degrees of swiftness1 to be exempted from performing this daily circle round our world8 ,no1 planets1 fixed stars1 and comets too1 must all turn round the earth6 ,were there but a few minutes difference in the time of their revolutions we might be satisfied with it2 but they are all exactly equal1 never varying in the slightest degree2 surely this is a suspicious circumstance4 ,oh6 replied the ,marchioness1 ,i could venture to say this exactitude existed only in our imaginations4 ,i am glad that any thing inconsistent with the genius of nature1 which this equality in so many moving bodies would be1 should depend on our motion1 and she1 even at our expense1 be free from the charge of inconsistency4 ,for my part1 said ,i1 ,i dislike a perfect regularity1 and ,i don't approve of the earth's turning every day on her axis in exactly twenty-four hours2 ,i am disposed to think the time varies4 ,varies6 she exclaimed2 do not our clocks shew that it is always equal8 ,oh6 replied ,i1 ,i don't depend on clocks1 they cannot always be perfectly right2 and should they be so1 and sometimes shew that the earth has made a longer or shorter tour in four-and-twenty hours than usual1 it would be thought that we ought rather to suspect them of being wrong than to attribute any irregularity to the revolutions of the earth4 ,that is paying an extravagant respect to her1 ,i should depend no more on the earth than on a clock2 the one might be put out of sorts almost by the same causes as the other1 only ,i think it would take longer time to produce a sensible irregularity in the earth2 that is the only advantage ,i should allow her to have over a clock4 ,might not the earth by degrees get nearer to the sun1 and then1 finding herself in a situation where the matter was agitated with greater violence1 perform her motion on her axis1 and her revolution round the sun1 in a shorter time8 ,in that case the years would be shorter1 and the days too1 but we should not perceive the difference1 for we should still divide the year into three hundred and sixty-five days1 and the days into twenty-four hours4 ,so that without living longer than we do now1 we should live a greater number of years3 and on the contrary1 if the earth were to remove farther from the sun1 we should live fewer years1 although our lives would be as long4 ,in all probability1 said she1 if that were possible1 a long succession of ages would make but a trifling difference4 ,true1 ,i replied2 nature does nothing abruptly1 her method is to effect every alteration by such gentle gradations that it is scarcely perceptible to us4 ,we hardly observe even the changes of seasons2 others that are produced much more slowly must in general escape our notice4 ,nevertheless every thing is subject to mutability2 even a certain lady who has been seen1 through telescopes1 in the moon for about forty years1 appears considerably older4 ,she used to be rather handsome2 now her cheeks are fallen away1 her nose and chin are beginning to meet2 in short all her charms are fled1 and it is even feared that her life is near its close4#eh ,footnote #eh3 ,we are not assured that this alteration has taken place in the part of the moon that has some resemblance to a woman's head3 but there must be changes1 if we judge by the volcano which has been repeatedly observed4 ,astron4 ,art4 #ccci4 ,what are you talking of8 cried the ,marchioness4 ,i am not jesting1 ,i replied4 ,a figure has been observed in the moon which resembled a woman's head rising from among the rocks1 and in that part an alteration is perceived4 ,some pieces have fallen off a mountain1 and left the points which appear like the forehead1 nose and chin of an old woman4 ,does it not seem1 said she1 as if some malignant power had a spite against beauty1 since the young lady's head is the only spot in the moon that has undergone a change4 ,perhaps1 answered ,i1 to make amends1 the alterations on our globe may give additional beauty to some face observed by the inhabitants of the moon1 ,i mean some face formed like those of the people in that planet1 for we always try to discover in distant objects1 the resemblance of what we continually think of4 ,our astronomers discern young ladies' faces in the moon2 probably if women were to examine it they would find handsome male faces4 ,if ,i to look1 ,i don't know whether ,i should not see your likeness1 madam4 ,i must undoubtedly1 said she1 feel myself obliged to any body who could find me there2 but let us return to what we were talking of just now2 are there any considerable alterations on the earth8 ,in all probability there are1 answered ,i4 ,many high mountains1 at a great distance from the sea1 have on them beds of shells1 which shew that they were formerly covered with water4 ,sometimes likewise1 at a distance from the sea1 are found stones containing petrified fishes4 ,how could they have got to that place unless the water had been there8 ,fables tell us1 that ,hercules separated with his hands two mountains called ,calpe and ,abila1 which being situated between ,africa and ,spain obstructed the ocean2 and the sea immediately rushed in violently1 and formed the great gulph that we call the ,mediterranean4 ,fables are not altogether fabulous2 they are histories of remote periods1 disguised by two very ancient and common defects2 ignorance1 and a love of the marvellous4 ,it is not very credible that ,hercules separated the two mountains with his hands2 but ,i can easily believe that in the time of some ,hercules1 7for there have been fifty71 the ocean may have torn asunder1 perhaps with the assistance of an earthquake1 two mountains more feeble than the rest and have by that means rushed in between ,europe and ,africa4 ,then a new spot was discovered on our globe1 by the people in the moon1 for you recollect1 madam1 that the water forms a dark spot4 ,it is the general opinion that ,sicily has been separated from ,italy1 and ,cyprus from ,syria3 new islands have sometimes been formed in the sea2 earthquakes have ingulfed some mountains1 and produced others1 as well as changed the course of rivers4 ,philosophers give us reason to fear that the kingdom of ,naples and ,sicily1 being over great subterranean vaults filled with sulphur1 will some time or other fall in1 when the vaults are no longer strong enough to resist the fires contained in them1 which now have vent at such openings as ,vesuvius and tna4 ,all this will be sufficient to diversify a little the appearance we make to the inhabitants of the moon4 ,i would rather tire them said the ,marchioness1 with a monotonous appearance1 than entertain them by the ruin of provinces4 ,that is nothing1 answered ,i1 to what takes place in ,jupiter4 ,he appears to be surrounded with belts1 which are distinguished from each other1 or from the spaces betwixt them1 by their different degrees of light4 ,these are land and seas--or at least parts of the planet differing in their nature4 ,sometimes these lands grow narrower1 sometimes wider4 ,new ones are formed in various parts1 and some of the old ones disappear3 and all these changes visible only through our best telescopes1 are in themselves much more considerable than if our ocean were to inundate all the land1 and leave its own bed to form new continents4 ,unless the inhabitants of ,jupiter are amphibious1 and live with equal ease either on land or in water1 ,i hardly know what can become of them4#ei ,we see likewise great alterations on the surface of ,mars1 even from one month to another4 ,in that short time seas overflow large continents1 and retire by a flux and reflux a thousand times more violent than ours2 or if this be not the case1 some change equivalent to it takes place4 ,our planet is very quiet compared with these2 we have great reason to congratulate ourselves1 especially if it is true that in ,jupiter countries as extensive as ,europe have been set on fire4 ,set on fire6 cried the ,marchioness2 that would be a great piece of news there4 ,it would indeed1 answered ,i4 ,we have observed in ,jupiter1 for perhaps twenty years1 a long stream of light more brilliant than the rest of the planet4#fj ,we have had deluges here1 but very seldom2 perhaps in ,jupiter they have now and then a large conflagration as well as frequent deluges4 ,but be that as it may1 the brilliant light ,i spoke of is very different from another1 which apparently is as old as the world1 though it has but lately been discovered4#fa ,how can a light be formed for concealment8 said she1 that is something quite out of the common way4 ,footnote #ei3 ,these lands surrounding ,jupiter1 which are sometimes few1 and sometimes in great numbers1 are apparently clouds4 ,footnote #fj3 ,i don't know that this observation is authentic4 ,footnote #fa3 ,the zodiacal light4 ,astron4 ,art4 #hdd4 ,this light1 ,i replied1 is only visible at twilight1 which is most frequently long enough1 and of sufficient power to conceal it2 and when it is not hid by the twilight1 either the vapours of the horizon prevent us from seeing it1 or without great attention we may even mistake it for twilight4 ,however1 about thirty years since it was discovered with certainty1 and for some time gave great delight to the astronomers1 whose curiosity wanted stimulating by something new4 ,they might find as many new subaltern planets as they chose without feeling any interest in them4 ,the two last moons of ,saturn1 for instance1 did not enrapture them as ,jupiter's satellites had done2 custom destroys the power of every thing4 ,we see1 during a month before and after the equinox of ,march1 when the sun is set and the twilight disappeared1 a sort of whitish light resembling the tail of a comet4 ,it is seen before the dawn and sun-rise1 towards the equinox of ,september1 and morning and night towards the winter solstice4 ,at other times1 as ,i have before said1 the twilight conceals it2 for we have reason to believe it always exists4 ,it has lately been conjectured that it is produced by a large mass of matter1 somewhat dense1 which environs the sun for a certain extent4 ,the greatest part of his rays penetrate this covering1 and come to us in a straight line2 but some of these rays by striking against the internal surface are reflected back to us1 either before the direct rays can reach us in the morning1 or after they have ceased to enlighten us in the evening4 ,as these reflected rays come from a higher region than the direct ones1 it is therefore earlier when we receive them1 and later before we lose them4 ,on this ground ,i must retract what ,i said on the probability of the moon having no twilight1 for want of a surrounding atmosphere as dense as that of the earth4 ,she is no loser by it1 if she can receive a twilight through this thick air which surrounds the sun1 and reflects his light to places which could not have his direct rays4 ,then1 enquired the ,marchioness1 will not this be a source of twilight to all the planets1 without the necessity of a dense atmosphere to environ each1 since that which surrounds the sun may produce the same effect for all the planets in the vortex8 ,from the frugality of nature1 ,i am disposed to believe she has effected the purpose by this means only4 ,yet1 said ,i1 in spite of this frugality1 the earth would have two causes of twilight1 one of which 7the dense air before the sun71 would be useless1 and could only serve as an object of curiosity to the frequenters of the observatory3 but it may be that the earth alone sends out exhalations sufficiently gross to produce twilight2 and therefore a general resource has been provided for the other planets1 if their evaporations are more pure and subtile4 ,we1 perhaps1 of the inhabitants of all the worlds in our vortex breathe the grossest air2 did the people of the other planets know that1 with what contempt they would survey us6 ,that would be wrong1 answered the ,marchioness2 we are not contemptible for being surrounded by a thick atmosphere since the sun himself is in the same situation4 ,tell me1 is not this air produced by certain vapours that you formerly told me issued from the sun2 and may it not be to moderate the power of the first rays which perhaps would otherwise be excessive8 ,i think it probable that the sun may be thus veiled1 to accommodate it to our use4 ,that is a happy idea1 madam1 said ,i2 you have founded a pretty little system4 ,we may add that this vapour possibly falls back in a sort of rain to refresh the sun1 in the same manner as we sometimes throw water into a forge when the fire becomes too fierce4 ,we cannot attribute too much to the power of nature2 but all her operations are not made visible to us1 therefore we cannot feel assured of having discovered her designs1 or her manner of acting4 ,we should not consider any new discovery a certain foundation for reasoning on1 though we are very much inclined to do it3 philosophers are like elephants1 that in walking never put one foot to the ground till they feel the other firmly supported4 ,that comparison1 said she1 is the more just because the merit either of elephants or philosophers does not consist in external charms2 we shall however do well to imitate the superior judgment of both3 inform me more of the new discoveries1 and ,i promise not to be in a hurry again to form systems4 ,i have told you1 ,i replied1 all the news ,i have heard from the sky1 and ,i believe no later intelligence has been received4 ,i am sorry it is not so entertaining and wonderful as some observations ,i read the other day in an abridgment of the ,annals of ,china1 written in ,latin4 ,they there see a thousand stars at a time fall from the sky into the ocean with an amazing noise2 or dissolve and disperse in rain4 ,this has not merely been seen once in ,china2 ,i have met with the same account given at two remote periods of time1 besides that of a star which goes towards the east1 and bursts with the noise of a gun4 ,it is a pity such sights should be confined to ,china1 while this part of the world is never favoured with them4 ,it is not long since all our philosophers thought they had had sufficient experience to pronounce the heavens and all the celestial bodies incorruptible and incapable of change2 and at the same time people at the other end of the world were seeing stars dissolve by thousands3 there appearance must have differed very much from ours4 ,but1 said she1 ,i never heard that the ,chinese were great astronomers4 ,no1 answered ,i1 but the ,chinese are gainers by being at so great a distance from us1 as the ,greeks and ,romans were by being separated by a long space of time2 whatever is remote assumes the right of imposing on us4 ,really ,i am more and more of opinion that ,europe is in possession of a degree of genius which has never extended to any other part of the globe1 at least not to any distant part4 ,it is not perhaps able to diffuse itself over a great proportion of the earth at once1 and some invincible fatality prescribes to it very narrow bounds4 ,let us then make use of it while it is in our possession3 and let us rejoice that it is not confined to science and dry speculations1 but equally extended to objects of taste1 in which ,i doubt whether any people can equal us4 ,such1 madam1 are the things that should engage your attention and constitute your philosophy4 ,,the ,,end4 ,,an ,,elegant ,,pocket ,,companion ,,for ,,the ,,ladies4 ,new ,series of the ,monthly ,visitor and ,new ,family ,magazine1 with fine ,portraits and additional ,embellishments4 ,on the first of ,february1 #ahjc1 was published1 price ,one ,shilling1 enriched with a fine ,portrait of ,,the ,,late ,,doctor ,,hunter1 ,with valuable ,particulars of his ,life2 also an interesting ,scene in ,egypt1 taken by ,m4 ,denon2 ,no4 #i1 ,continued ,monthly1 of a ,new ,series of ,,the ,,monthly ,,visitor1 ,,and ,new ,family ,magazine1 ,for ,,january1 #ahjc4 ,printed in a neat pocket-size1 and containing a valuable ,collection of interesting ,matter in the various ,branches of ,literature4 ,the following is a ,list of ,embellishments 7with ,biography7 already given in the ,new ,series4 ,duke of ,bedford ,turkish ,male and ,female1 c4 ,dr4 ,jenner ,chinese ,male and ,female1 c4 ,john ,locke ,egyptian ,male and ,female1 c4 ,lord ,bacon ,garnerin's ,ascent and ,descent ,miss ,de ,camp in the ,parachute ,t4 ,w4 ,coke1 ,esq4 ,modern ,british ,females ,madame ,bonaparte ,an ,egyptian ,lady1 and ,manner ,mrs4 ,montague of passing the ,river ,nile ,parisian ,male and ,female in the on a ,bundle of ,rushes4 ,costume of the ,present ,day ,the above ,work is recommended to the ,attention of the ,public in general1 but particularly to ,ladies and private ,families1 being calculated to inform the ,mind on every valuable ,topic1 and will be found a very useful ,medium of ,improvement to the rising ,generation4 ,the most prominent ,features in this ,miscellany are ,memoirs of illustrious ,characters1 with ,manners and ,customs of all ,nations--,anecdotes of eminent ,men and ,places--,original ,communications in ,prose and ,poetry--,selections from the most recent ,productions of ,value--,dramatic ,intelligence--and its ,review of new interesting ,publications4 ,nor is a ,miscellany conducted on such a ,plan adapted to the ,young alone4 ,to ,persons also who possess small ,ability for the ,purchase of ,books1 or have little ,time for the ,perusal of them1 it must prove a valuable ,accession of ,knowledge1 preferable by far to most other periodical ,publications of the present ,day1 the ,majority of which sell for #as4 #f;d4 ,each ,number contains #ajh ,pages of small but neat ,letter-press1 embellished by an elegant ,portrait of the celebrated ,individual1 whose ,memoirs are presented to the ,reader4 ,also1 two whole length ,figures of a ,male and ,female ,inhabitant of some ,foreign ,country characteristically drawn1 with an ,account of the ,manners and ,customs of the ,natives4--,four ,numbers constitute a pocket ,volume4 ,it is thus therefore capable of becoming an instructive and entertaining ,companion to those whose ,attention is assiduously directed to the ,improvement of their own ,minds4 ,the ,old ,series of this valuable ,work is contained in ,fifteen elegant ,pocket ,volumes1 enriched with upwards of ,seventy ,portraits of eminent public ,characters1 price #cl4 #acs4 #f;d4 boards1 or #dl4 bound4 ,printed for the ,proprietors1 by ,j4 ,cundee1 ,ivy-,lane1 ,paternoster-,row2 where ,communications 7post-paid7 are received for the ,new ,series4 ,a new and interesting ,work1 entitled ,a ,,dictionary ,,of ,,the ,,wonders ,,of ,,nature4 ,this day is ,published1 ,closely and elegantly printed in a ,pocket-size1 containing near #ejj pages of ,letter-press2 and enriched with curious and illustrative ,copper ,plates1 ,price #es4 boards2 ,a ,,dictionary ,,of ,,the ,,wonders ,,of ,,nature3 ,,translated ,,principally ,,from ,,the ,,works ,,of ,a4 ,s4 ,s4 ,,delafond1 ,,professor ,,of ,,physic ,,at ,,bourges4 ,including extraordinary instances of ,abstinence2 ,old ,age2 ,curiosities in the ,animal ,kingdom2 ,singular ,antipathies2 ,remarkable ,attachments2 ,extraneous ,bodies2 ,phnomena of the ,human ,bones2 ,brains2 ,wonderful ,caverns2 ,forward ,children2 ,extraordinary ,conformations2 ,remarkable ,deafness2 ,apparent ,death2 ,extraordinary ,divers2 ,wonderful ,dwarfs2 ,dreadful ,earthquakes which have happened in various parts of the ,world2 ,extraordinary ,eaters2 ,curious ,structure of the ,eye2 ,instances of ,fecundity2 ,fermentation2 ,fire-damps2 ,subterranean ,fires2 ,curious ,fish2 ,wonderful ,description of ,human ,hair2 ,phnomena of ,heat and ,cold2 ,dreadful ,hurricanes2 ,ice1 and ,ice-houses described2 ,inundations1 and the ,properties of the ,loadstone2 ,powers of the ,imagination2 ,history of ,mutes2 ,northern ,lights ,described2 ,dreadful ,maladies2 ,meteors2 ,remarkable ,instances of ,memory2 ,properties of ,mirth2 ,account of a ,curious ,white ,negro2 ,deviations from ,nature2 ,effects of ,phosphorus2 ,rains2 ,extraordinary ,men2 ,remarkable ,accounts of ,monsters2 ,ventriloquists2 ,volcanoes2 ,thunder2 ,plants2 ,stones2 ,rocks2 ,sleep-walkers2 ,petrified ,bodies2 ,trees2 ,vegetation2 ,water-spouts2 c4 c4 including all the remarkable ,,ph,,nomena ,,in ,,nature2 philosophically1 and physically explained2 forming the most curious and interesting ,collection of the ,wonders of ,nature ever published2 the whole alphabetically arranged2 with a complete ,index4 ,to me be ,,nature',s volume broad display'd1 ,and to peruse its all-instructive pages1 my sole delight4 ,such is the interesting nature of the contents of this work1 that it is equally calculated to entertain and instruct every class of readers4 ,london3 ,printed by ,j4 ,cundee1 ,ivy-,lane2 ,sold by ,t4 ,,hurst1 ,paternoster-,row2 and may be had of every ,bookseller in the ,empire4 ,transcriber ,note ,minor typos corrected4 ,to accommodate placement a footnote1 a paragraph break was added on page #abf4