vidual, who makes this one resolve. For to read these inestimable works, and to remain unconvinced of the divine origin of our holy religion, is impossible; nor is this most important effect achieved by argumentation, but by an accumulation of the most astonishing body of evidence, the evidence derived from well-authenticated FACTS. The dialogue mode of instruction has, I am aware, its disadvantages, as well as conveniencies. Some superfluous language will necessarily occur, unessential to instruction; but it possesses considerable advantages, in awakening the curiosity, and keeping up the attention, of the juvenile mind. Should it be thought that the Daughter, in the present series of dialogues, occasionally discovers in her questions and replies too much quickness, and too extensive an acquaintance with a difficult and intricate science; let it be recollected, that it is better to make a small sacrifice of probability, than to leave any considerable chasms in the discussion of an important subject; that quickness of attention and promptitude of reply are, in a great degree, the creatures of habit; that the daughter in the Dialogues is an ideal personage, who is supposed to have been under regular instruction, affectionately and assiduously imparted, which has combined in the gradual developement, and improvement of her mental powers. Russell Square, AN astronomical Catechism. PART THE FIRST. CHAPTER I. INTRODUCTION. What is astronomy? Astronomy is that branch of natural philosophy which treats of the heavenly bodies. It teaches their magnitudes, motions, distances, periods, eclipses, and order. But is not this a subject far too complex to be rendered interesting to me, or to any one so young as I am? Before we proceed one step, I will promise to require no more than that ordinary measure of attention, which must be rendered to any art, or science, in which you would excel. With this measure of attention I cannot dispense; but having this, I am sure you will be so charmed B with the fascinating and important character of the facts I have to communicate, that before the period of your education is completed, you will request me to add a companion to this solitary volume. But still is this not a science in which a vast multitude of mathematical calculations are necessary? In an attention to plane or pure astronomy, which includes only the determination of the magnitudes, distances, and the orbits of the heavenly bodies, such calculations are indispensably necessary; but in those interesting facts, in those capital truths, which I shall lay before you, such calculations are not necessary. Is astronomy, then, a science so comprehensive, that it may be divided into several parts? Into three parts it may certainly be divided; viz. into plane, physical, and historical. You have told me what I am to understand by plane or pure astronomy: will you inform me what is meant by physical astronomy? Physical astronomy comprehends the investigation and the explanation of the causes of the motions of the heavenly bodies; so that, while in pure astronomy, discoveries are made by observations on the apparent magnitudes and motions of the heavenly bodies, in physical astronomy those principles and laws of motion, by which bodies on and near the earth are go verned, are applied to the other bodies in the system. This is rather more than I can comprehend; but as these are subjects, to which I am not at present to attend, I doubt not but the division reserved for me will be much more simple. May I inquire what I am to understand by the historical part of astronomy? You will find, that under this general title I shall direct your attention to the rise and progress of this science, to its uses, to some interesting particulars respecting the sun, the earth, and the moon, to the planets, their satellites, to comets, to the starry heavens, and to the constellations in general: and I cannot express to you the anxiety I feel, that this branch of science may early occupy your most serious attention. But why are you particularly anxious, that I should be well acquainted with this part of astronomy? So many are its uses, that I will give you a distinct chapter on that subject; but I have an object dearer to my heart than reputation, or health, or station, or life: it is, that believing you live in a wicked world, you may also admit that there is in this world an entire remedy, a complete antidote for all the sorrows, for all the miseries, for all the wickedness, that exist. This remedy, this antidote, is the Bible; I wish |