and full of promise to any one, who, uniting to a fervid spirit a full acquaintance with the magnificence of the theme, would take the trouble to do it justice. These lectures are, as far as they go, very fair; but they disappoint. They are neither one thing nor the other. The science displayed is sufficiently exact; but the application to the hearers and readers of the lectures, sadly deficient. Benson, not to be invidious, would have carried us up to the third heaven, whilst here we only ascend just far enough to get a peep at Jupiter's belts, and Saturn's ring. We complain also of the technicalities of the subject: for they are past the comprehension of any but a third-year-man. The author says he would have explained, but this would have required a larger treatise than the time for publication allowed. This, however, is no excuse for mistifying the subject to those who most needed clearness of expression-those whom the lecturer should have remembered made up the greatest part of his audience, and some part of his readers. He has consequently assumed, that the reader understands the facts and the consequences of the law of gravitation, &c.-an assumption very questionable as to its propriety. Who, for instance, expects to find in a book of sermons such unexplained terms as "radius vector," "angular velocity," "linear velocity,” "nebulous vortex," &c.? It may be argued, that they who understand Astronomy will understand the definitions used in the science, and that to those who do not understand it, the lectures are not addressed. In reply, we say, that the founder of these Lectures did not intend any part of the duties of the Lecturer to be engaged in the service of a few members of the University alone; his Will expressly declares, "that in all the said twenty Sermons, such practical observations shall be made, and such useful conclusions added, as may best instruct and edify mankind." It is clear, then, he supposed the lecturers to be appointed not merely as University lecturers, but as defenders of Christianity for the benefit of the world, as well without, as within the Proctor's jurisdiction; and, therefore, we say, if Mr. Chevallier thought proper to preach about Astronomy, he ought to have preached in a way intelligible to such persons as study popular as well as academic Astronomy, many of whom will, doubtless, buy the work. We the more regret this, because in the Sermon "on the Scriptural Estimate of Talent," the author has taken some very proper views of a subject, which in the earlier lectures he has, we think, too much overlooked. Speaking of University teachers, he says:

Let them not forget, however, that their labour is not to terminate in promoting a taste for the elegancies of literature, in imparting an accurate knowledge of abstract science, or in explaining the principles, by which the wonderful phænomena of the natural world are deduced from a few simple facts.-P. 278.

We wish, therefore, he had so worded his mathematics as to have

rendered them intelligible, and, consequently, useful to those who may be most interested in the subject. He should have put the whole of these hard words into a glossary in the appendix, where there is plenty of matter for the amusement and edification of those who prefer explanation of scientific assertions, whatever they may care for any other proofs. We beg, however, to be distinctly understood in these remarks, as not desirous of defaming the author. The topic he has chosen is one every way deserving of especial notice, and particularly so from the pulpit of a University Church. The object of the lecturer was praiseworthy-his motives excellent; and we only regret that, with his assumed talents and skill, he has not done more for his subject, his readers, and himself.

We shall now proceed to a concise analysis of the first four lectures, giving such extracts as appear noticeable.

The subject of astronomy is thus introduced:

In all ages, and among all nations, the contemplation of the starry heavens has afforded a favourite exercise for the reflecting mind. The most unlearned and unenlightened have gazed with wonder upon so glorious a display of brilliant objects placed far beyond the control of man, and moving serenely through the skies. Uneducated tribes or half cultivated nations, who interpreted the phænomena according to their own gross conceptions, were still struck with the beauty and manifest utility of the objects of their contemplation. Their rude admiration bore testimony to the glories of the heavens; and was an acknowledgment that He who formed them was supreme in wisdom and in power. And even if, when they saw the sun travelling in his strength, and the whole host of heaven performing their courses, they were seduced to pay to the creature the honour due to the Creator, their homage in its origin was but the perversion of a deep feeling of reverence towards him.-Pp. 3, 4.

This last passage savours of poetical apology rather too much for our liking, and is not half so well done as in the numerous parallel passages of many living rhymsters.

The author then proceeds with the development of the science and the consequences of its study; on the one hand astrology and scepticism, arising from a limited acquaintance with it; and, on the other hand, admiration of the Divine Power, together with a due estimate of the extent of creation. Without going into any long detail, the objections might have been answered by one line-" An undevout astronomer is mad." We skip all the fine writing introductory, and come at once to the matter in hand; which, considering the variety of topics necessarily introduced, and the variety of books necessarily consulted, is an excellent abridgement of the outlines of the science of astronomy, and, without any prejudice, very well improved.

The spherical figure of the earth-the diameter of the moon's orbit-' the orbits of the primary and secondary planets-and finally, the numerous wonders of the whole system, are made the first of the gradations which the study unfolds. The next point is the extensive tracts beyond

the solar system; and the consequence thence arising, that still beyond these are "successive series of similar

groups."

These conceptions, magnificent as they are, are not the fruit of an excited imagination; they are the realities of demonstrative science, founded upon accurate observation of the universe around us. Man has been endued by his Creator with mental powers capable of cultivation. He has employed them in the study of the wonderful works of God which the universe displays. His own habitation has provided a base which has served him to measure the heavens. He compares his own stature with the magnitude of the earth on which he dwells; the earth with the system in which it is placed; the extent of the system with the distance of the nearest fixed stars: and that distance again serves as an unit of measurement for other distances which observation points out. Still no approach is made to any limit. How extended these wonderful works of the Almighty may be, no man can presume to say. The sphere of creation appears to extend around us indefinitely on all sides; "to have its centre every where, its circumference no where."-Pp. 15, 16.

This sufficiently proves the POWER of God to be displayed in the heavens.

The second Lecture demonstrates the WISDOM of God.

The proofs are, the law of gravitation; the invariableness of the mean distances of the planets; the limited variation of eccentricity, and of the inclination of the orbits of the planets; and the motions impressed upon them. Of the former of these points, the author says:

The

Unwearied research and great sagacity have led men by degrees to measure and to weigh the planetary system; and at every fresh step, some new discovery has been made, which affords fresh grounds for astonishment at the power and wisdom of the Almighty. There was a period in the history of science, when men of the greatest intellect, the most ardent enquirers into the works of nature, thought that the frame of the material system in which we are placed was not so accurately adjusted, but that it would, from time to time, require correction by the immediate interposition of the Creator's hand. Subsequent improvement in abstract science has shewn that this is not the case. great machine of the solar system is so nicely balanced within itself, that it will continue to perform its majestic revolutions, until it shall seem good to the Almighty to cause it to cease to be. The paths which the planets trace out in their appointed courses undergo slight variations in magnitude and form and position; their motions are sometimes accelerated and sometimes retarded; but these changes are corrected by the very causes which produce them. There is a mean state about which the whole system oscillates. Reckoning from this state, all the variations extend only to a certain limited degree. Having attained that point, they begin to decrease and pass to the opposite extreme and after a lapse of a greater or less time, regain their first position. Now this is far from being a mere speculative truth. It is a fact of exceeding importance to ourselves, as well as to the whole system in which we are placed. Pp. 27-29.

He continues thus upon a subject which has frequently exercised the philosopher and the divine, and which is a subject of immense

⚫ interest:

The question with respect to the planetary globes is this. Every analogy points them out as bodies similar to the earth which we inhabit. They are warmed and enlightened by the same sun. They have the same stars spread around them in the same order: they all describe orbits nearly of the same form:

thus all revolve about the sun, and probably all about their own axes, in the same direction; and their axes are generally inclined to the plane of their respective orbits. They have, therefore, all similar vicissitudes of seasons, the same alternation of day and night. Now does not this similarity justify the conclusion, that their motions were studiously and purposely made what they are? Had there been no common design in the formation of the globes which compose this system, surely there would have been found the greatest variety in the forms and positions of the orbits; some variation in the direction of so many motions. Neither is it unphilosophical to conclude that the diffusion of a nearly equable temperature over the surface of the planets, the distribution of periods of light and darkness, of cold and heat, of summer and winter, which is so necessary in our globe, and is attained in all the planets so simply, yet so beautifully, was intended to be attained, when the universe was created. But this could only be accomplished by a very nice adjustment of the velocity and direction with which each of these vast globes was originally impelled. Here, therefore, again is evidence of choice, selection, and design.-Pp. 35, 36.

The third lecture introduces many other proofs, derived from the condition of the earth, and the machinery by which its works of wonder are accomplished, together with the particular investigation of the heavenly bodies. The succession of seasons, day and night, &c. are first treated of: and we take a beautiful passage from the opening of the lecture as a fair specimen of style and language.

The very greatness, the universality of the benefit, makes us forgetful of it. Man goes forth to his work and to his labour upon the earth, and expects with anxiety the hour when evening shall have put a period to his toils. Night comes on, and affords a season of general quiet; allowing precisely the degree of time necessary to recruit his strength, and to restore the face of nature to its original freshness. He that now sows, sows in the confident hope that the seed will spring up, and produce first the blade, then the ear, then the full corn in the ear: that the rain from heaven will descend to water it, and the warmth of the summer sun will bring its fruit to maturity: that he will in the autumn put in the sickle, and lay up the produce in his garner as a provision for the winter, which he expects to ensue. But few know, and of those who know, fewer still consider, that this delightful change and this confident expectation are parts of an analogy connecting the globe which we inhabit with the system in which it is placed.-Pp. 39, 40.

The next passage affords a contrast most striking in the work of a scholar. Surely there never was a more absurd attempt at grandiloquism.

The earth, self-balanced on her axle, glides on with the other planets in her appointed course through the regions of space, with a rapidity almost inconceivable, though unobserved; like some rich vessel, originally launched by the Creator's hand, freighted with all the productions of its various climes, and affording to them all an agreeable and necessary vicissitude of light and darkness, of heat and cold.-Pp. 40, 41.

The temperature of the earth and ocean, and the density of water, are considered next; and the equilibrium of the ocean shewn to be stable.

Now, can we be contented with ascribing the peculiar density, which the element of water possesses, to a lucky chance? Shall we say that it was only discovered to possess certain properties, of which man and animals have availed themselves? Rather let us acknowledge with Solomon, that it was the Almighty

who "strengthened the fountains of the deep," who "gave to the sea his decree that the waters should not pass his commandment.”—P. 45.

The density of the earth compared with that of water next engages our notice; and here Mr. Chevallier has managed, in a few lines, to set all the geologists, Neptunists, and Vulcanists, afloat in the same fluid. To this he adds some passages on the atmosphere.

But there is still another consequence connected with the density, and, therefore, the pressure of the atmosphere. The air is necessary to keep down the sea. Were the atmospheric pressure removed, or greatly diminished, there would be but little, if any, intermediate state of the waters of the ocean between the solid and aeriform state. A far less degree of heat than is now frequently experienced would dissipate all the waters upon the face of the earth.-P. 49.

The proportion between sea and land, and the tides, are adduced as additional proofs. And then the relation of the secondary planets, the luminousness of the central body, the ring of Saturn, and the relation of the motions of Jupiter's satellites, close the argument.

We remember to have read somewhere in Brinkley's Astronomy (a book the author has confessed himself indebted to), of a most singular coincidence in certain calculations made with respect to the distances of the planets;—a coincidence, which is as full a proof of design in the creation, as any which Mr. Chevallier has adduced. We take the liberty of quoting a passage or two from Dr. Brinkley, which, we are sure, no one will blame. It is well known that the planets Vesta, Juno, Ceres, and Pallas, were, for a long time, undiscovered, and that when discovered, their mean distances from the sun, the days during which they retrograde, their arcs of retrogression, and their velocities, were found nearly alike. "At present," says Dr. Brinkley, we know no secondary cause that could have any influence in regulating the respective distances of the planets from the sun; yet there appears a relation between the distances that cannot be considered as accidental. This was first observed by Professor Bode, of Berlin, who remarked, that a planet was wanting, at the distance at which the new planets have since been discovered, to complete the relation. According to him, the distance of the planets may be expressed nearly as follows, the earth's distance from the sun being 10:

4+ (3 × 22) =

16