A philosophical and familiar essay on comets ... / from the writings of Sir Isaac Newton, Dr. Halley, etc. including an account of the great comet, which apeared in 1680 ... as also of those subsequent, and the present comet.

  • Rivers, David
Date:
[1811]
Catalogue details

Licence: Public Domain Mark

Credit: A philosophical and familiar essay on comets ... / from the writings of Sir Isaac Newton, Dr. Halley, etc. including an account of the great comet, which apeared in 1680 ... as also of those subsequent, and the present comet. Source: Wellcome Collection.

    24/28 (page 24)
    blazing stars to illuminate the firmament, f to demonstrate that by the agency of a Comet the earth and all that is thereimshali be burnt up. This hypothesis, supported by so able a mathematician, and learned a man, as Mr. Whiston, while it is in perfect congruity with true philosophical principles—is nei¬ ther founded on the basis of ignorant super¬ stition orwild enthusiasm, but calculated to promote moral and religious improvement. From what has been observed through¬ out this Essay it follows : 1: That Comets are not to be viewed as portentous of evil. An opinion which ought justly to be exploded in an age so truly enlightened as the present, possessing the luminous discoveries made by Newton, Halley, Francklin, Priestley, and other Philosophers who have adorned and ag¬ grandized human nature. 2. On the contrary, Comets may be con¬ templated with rational pleasure, as under the all wise government of the Deity, tending to produce many beneficial effects *