Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Physical Astronomy; Or, New Theories Of The Universe .
rapid motion on an axis , could easily project , by its centrifugal force , a ball 1 in . in diameter , or one 11 in . in diameter , which is the size of Jupiter by comparison , and which is the largest planet in our system . " Again , "The conditions
necessary for the formation of immense masses by the explosion of gaseous matter Avhich pervades space , compel these explosions to occur at distances sufficiently great from previous formations to secure them from collision . Meteoric stones
only reach the earth when they are formed too mear it to have a suffiicient quantity of fether between them and our globe to poise them in space . That planets should float in tether is no greater mystery than that a leaden ball should float in
quicksilver . " Dr . Bedford ridicules the idea propounded by the great Sir Isaac Newton , that " comets are the aliment by whicli suns are sustained , " and which opinion the learned astronomer cherished to the latest hour of his life . He Avas
of opinion that comets Avere in a state of progressive decline upon the suns round Avhich they respectively sAvepfc ; and that into these suns they from time to time fell . "I cannot tell / ' he says , " when the comet of 1680 will fall into the sun .
Possibly after five or six revolutions . But whenever that time shall arrive the heat of the sun will be raised by it to such a point that our globe will be burnt , and all the animals upon it Avill perish . " In reply to this " superstitious theory / ' Dr .
Bedford quotes Arago , who says , " The great name of NeAvton shall not prevent me from remarking that in comparing the incandesence of celestial bodies with that of ordinary fires—in assimilating comets to faggots with which Ave incessantly supply our fires—he trespassed too far on the laAvs of analogy . "
In further refutation of these vie \ vs of Sir Isaac NeAvton as to contact with comets , " The idea , " says Dr . Bedford , " to my mind , is preposterous . When once the planets are at homo in their orbits , or equipoised in tether , collision
will require a miracle . As well mi ght we fear the contact of the Avheels of two ships , floating on opposite sides of our globe , supposing nothing but Avater to be in a line between them . As ships draAV a certain quantity of Avater in
proportion to their magnitude and wei ght , so do the planets draw their proportions of the gaseous matter , or resisting medium , pervading infinite space /'
Physical Astronomy; Or, New Theories Of The Universe .
If , then , the theory of Dr . Bedford be correct in this respect , and I am bound to say that the argument , he adduces go far to prove the probability of the affirmative , collision between celestial bodies would be a direct violation of physical
laws , and the supposition of Sir Isaac Newton as to suns making their meals out of comets , a theory more ultra than that pronounced by Buflbn , who supposed that a comet in its progress grazed the sun to a depth sufficient to carry away enough
to form our solar system , aud that of those selfsame sun-filings Avas our solar system thereupon formed . ( Barr's Bnffon , vol . 1 , 1797 . ) In conclusion : the theories of Dr . Bedford , on which I have based the few jottings that form the subject of the present paper , appear to me to
bring celestial mechanism into a comprehensible focus , and to divest it of much of that haziness which the ultra scientific are prone to throw around it . They commend themselves for their simplicity , and seem feasible and just , while their
recognition at the present day by men of proved scientific ability , is the best indication Ave can have of the presumptive correctness of the principles on which they are based . In short , I am convinced that they are Avhat their title indicates ,
and that they constitute the basis of " New Theories of the Universe , " that are as beautiful as they are simple , and which , as Mr . Proctor says , ivill be found " wonderfully to enlarge our appreciation of the complexity of the systems Avhich exist within the solar domain . "
Our Masonic Charities. Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.
OUR MASONIC CHARITIES . ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .
The statement given in the report , shoAving the total cost , and cost per boy , fairly affords the subscribers to the Institution an opportunity of knowing IIOAV their money is expended : — Total Cost . Per Boy .
£ . s . d . £ . s . d . School Salaries 728 0 S 6 17 4-i „ Wages 281 9 0 2 13 1 Provisions 1277 15 8 12 1 1 Clothing 703 IS 7 6 12 10 Coals , Gas , and Water 341 13 9 3 4
SiSchool Stationery and Books ... 17 10 0 0 3 3 J Bates and Taxes 154 17 3 1 9 2 J Petty Expenditure , AVood Green ... 36 11 0 0 6 11 Education of Boys out of Establishment 15 8 6 0 2 10 | Incidental Expenses 108 8 0 1 0 5 i
Note: This text has been automatically extracted via Optical Character Recognition (OCR) software.
Physical Astronomy; Or, New Theories Of The Universe .
rapid motion on an axis , could easily project , by its centrifugal force , a ball 1 in . in diameter , or one 11 in . in diameter , which is the size of Jupiter by comparison , and which is the largest planet in our system . " Again , "The conditions
necessary for the formation of immense masses by the explosion of gaseous matter Avhich pervades space , compel these explosions to occur at distances sufficiently great from previous formations to secure them from collision . Meteoric stones
only reach the earth when they are formed too mear it to have a suffiicient quantity of fether between them and our globe to poise them in space . That planets should float in tether is no greater mystery than that a leaden ball should float in
quicksilver . " Dr . Bedford ridicules the idea propounded by the great Sir Isaac Newton , that " comets are the aliment by whicli suns are sustained , " and which opinion the learned astronomer cherished to the latest hour of his life . He Avas
of opinion that comets Avere in a state of progressive decline upon the suns round Avhich they respectively sAvepfc ; and that into these suns they from time to time fell . "I cannot tell / ' he says , " when the comet of 1680 will fall into the sun .
Possibly after five or six revolutions . But whenever that time shall arrive the heat of the sun will be raised by it to such a point that our globe will be burnt , and all the animals upon it Avill perish . " In reply to this " superstitious theory / ' Dr .
Bedford quotes Arago , who says , " The great name of NeAvton shall not prevent me from remarking that in comparing the incandesence of celestial bodies with that of ordinary fires—in assimilating comets to faggots with which Ave incessantly supply our fires—he trespassed too far on the laAvs of analogy . "
In further refutation of these vie \ vs of Sir Isaac NeAvton as to contact with comets , " The idea , " says Dr . Bedford , " to my mind , is preposterous . When once the planets are at homo in their orbits , or equipoised in tether , collision
will require a miracle . As well mi ght we fear the contact of the Avheels of two ships , floating on opposite sides of our globe , supposing nothing but Avater to be in a line between them . As ships draAV a certain quantity of Avater in
proportion to their magnitude and wei ght , so do the planets draw their proportions of the gaseous matter , or resisting medium , pervading infinite space /'
Physical Astronomy; Or, New Theories Of The Universe .
If , then , the theory of Dr . Bedford be correct in this respect , and I am bound to say that the argument , he adduces go far to prove the probability of the affirmative , collision between celestial bodies would be a direct violation of physical
laws , and the supposition of Sir Isaac Newton as to suns making their meals out of comets , a theory more ultra than that pronounced by Buflbn , who supposed that a comet in its progress grazed the sun to a depth sufficient to carry away enough
to form our solar system , aud that of those selfsame sun-filings Avas our solar system thereupon formed . ( Barr's Bnffon , vol . 1 , 1797 . ) In conclusion : the theories of Dr . Bedford , on which I have based the few jottings that form the subject of the present paper , appear to me to
bring celestial mechanism into a comprehensible focus , and to divest it of much of that haziness which the ultra scientific are prone to throw around it . They commend themselves for their simplicity , and seem feasible and just , while their
recognition at the present day by men of proved scientific ability , is the best indication Ave can have of the presumptive correctness of the principles on which they are based . In short , I am convinced that they are Avhat their title indicates ,
and that they constitute the basis of " New Theories of the Universe , " that are as beautiful as they are simple , and which , as Mr . Proctor says , ivill be found " wonderfully to enlarge our appreciation of the complexity of the systems Avhich exist within the solar domain . "
Our Masonic Charities. Royal Masonic Institution For Boys.
OUR MASONIC CHARITIES . ROYAL MASONIC INSTITUTION FOR BOYS .
The statement given in the report , shoAving the total cost , and cost per boy , fairly affords the subscribers to the Institution an opportunity of knowing IIOAV their money is expended : — Total Cost . Per Boy .
£ . s . d . £ . s . d . School Salaries 728 0 S 6 17 4-i „ Wages 281 9 0 2 13 1 Provisions 1277 15 8 12 1 1 Clothing 703 IS 7 6 12 10 Coals , Gas , and Water 341 13 9 3 4
SiSchool Stationery and Books ... 17 10 0 0 3 3 J Bates and Taxes 154 17 3 1 9 2 J Petty Expenditure , AVood Green ... 36 11 0 0 6 11 Education of Boys out of Establishment 15 8 6 0 2 10 | Incidental Expenses 108 8 0 1 0 5 i