LETTER XVI.
WILLIAM to his MOTHER.
Sir Charles and his Lady went yesterday to pay a visit, and took Emilia and Edward with them. Charles and I remained at home with Dr. Bartlett. After our lessons were finished, we requested him to walk with us; the evening was very fine, the sun was setting. Dr. Bartlett proposed ascending a neighbouring hill, that we might see the sun set—for, said he, it is a fine sight.
CHARLES.
You have often told me, Sir, that the sun did not move, but the earth on which we live goes round the sun. If so, why do you say, the sun sets?
That is a manner of speaking which has been taken from the earliest times, and the term is generally used, though the same sense is not annexed to it. They thought formerly that the sun moved round the earth, which it seems to do; but we now know better, after further enquiries, and various observations.
CHARLES.
Should we then say that the sun moves?
DR. BARTLETT.
If you were in a boat, you would say with as much propriety, that the land and the trees moved, by which you failed; and yet they do not move.
CHARLES.
That is true, I have often observed it; but how comes it, that we do not feel the motion of the earth?
Because you are accustomed to it from your birth, and the motion of so vast a body cannot be felt by so small a creature as man is, in proportion. The sun is much larger than the earth; thus it is most reasonable to conceive, arguing from what we know of the wisdom of the great Mover, that the earth goes round the sun, than that the sun moves round the earth.
WILLIAM.
And is the sun, Sir, so very large?
DR. BARTLETT.
It is well known to astronomers, that the sun is above a million of times bigger than the earth: judge then how large it must be.
WILLIAM.
But how do you know all this?
By careful investigation; and as you are fond of reading, you may yourself be convinced of it; Charles will lend you the Spectacle de la Nature[1]. In that excellent book you will find instruction delivered in an easy manner.
1. On this subject a more useful book has been lately published, entitled, An Introduction to Astronomy.
CHARLES.
But I must yet ask you, Sir, how can the sun, which you say is about ninety-five millions of miles from us, give us so much warmth and light?
DR. BARTLETT.
That is truly a great miracle of almighty Power.
WILLIAM.
I am glad I know that the sun is so large. Many think it is not larger than it appears to us.
The further any thing is from us, the smaller it appears; as that kite for instance, it will appear much less in the air, than it does on the ground.
CHARLES.
Certainly; and this is also a proof, that the sun must be amazingly great, because that it is at such an immense distance from us. The moon, by the same rule, must be very large.
DR. BARTLETT.
The moon is large; but much less than the earth. There are stars which are of a much superior magnitude.
WILLIAM.
We should not think so.
DR. BARTLETT.
That arises from the stars being still further from us than the moon.
And is the moon also a globe of fire?
DR. BARTLETT.
No. The moon is a dark body, it receives its light from the sun.
CHARLES.
All the stars which we see, have their names I suppose?
DR. BARTLETT.
Not all; we have given names to some of them, that we may better distinguish them.
CHARLES.
I feel a great desire to be an astronomer; it must be a very pleasing study.
DR. BARTLETT.
That desire should be encouraged; you will by this science learn rightly to know the great power of your Creator. View the setting sun—what a glorious scene! We should without it be very miserable. All would lie in dreadful darkness. It affords us light, and it brings an agreeable warmth to the earth; it makes the fruit and grass grow: the earth could not bring forth without the sun’s influence.
CHARLES.
There, the sun is set.—How comes it that it is not now immediately dark?
DR. BARTLETT.
That arises from the flexibility of its beams, which we will enquire into another time; your laudable curiosity pleases me. Let us now reflect what great benefit we receive from God’s allowing the darkness to come on so gradually. Would it not be dreadful if we came in a moment from clear light into thick darkness?
Very true, Sir; it would damp our spirits, and the night would then always surprise us before we were aware of it.
DR. BARTLETT.
It is indeed happy for us that the night comes and goes away imperceptibly. If we passed out of darkness into light in a moment, our eyes would be blinded by the sudden glare; and the surprise would discompose our minds. The wisdom of the Almighty Creator appears thus in every thing.
CHARLES.
I never yet thought of that benefit, when I have seen the sun set. I am glad, Sir, that you have pointed it out to me, for it will make me more thankful for the divine goodness.
I will send for my telescope, and then you will have a nearer view of the moon. And to-morrow morning I will call you very early, and we will see the sun rise—you will find it equally beautiful.
Dear mother, how happy I am to learn all this. I already feel more love and reverence for God, the cause of all these wonders, than I had before. If I grew ever so tall, I should not think myself a man, till I knew something of the works of God.—Can a man be wise who sees him not in every surrounding object? Charles and I intend to make all the enquiries we possibly can—we will try to be good and wise.
WILLIAM.