SOLAR and LUNAR Eclipses

drous Variety of Natures, Kinds, Forms, Sizes, Perfections, &c. in the inferior and more unworthy Part of the Creation, and be content with giving one Specimen only of a better. Sort.

Cleon. And that too in one Point only, viz. the Power of the contemplative and reafoning Faculties. For 'tis well known, that, with refpect to any Senfe of the Body, Man is exceeded by fome one or other of the irrational Tribes. The Mind is doubtless a noble Principle, but should it be thought ftrange to fuppofe that it is capable of various and different Degrees of Perfection? Or that there fhould be Beings, who poffefs all thefe fuperior Degrees, and are therefore of a more exalted Nature than ours?

Euphrof. Well, granting what Variety of reafonable Beings you pleafe, I prefume you allow they are all defigned for Heaven and Happiness in another World: But, pray. Cleonicus, what becomes of irrational Creatures when they die?

Cleon. By Nature only, we know but little of our own future State, and of Courfe but little or nothing of theirs. 'Tis fottish to imagine that they were made to answer no End, but Man's Luxury, Diverfion, or Use. No doubt, but in the Creator there was one uniform Defign of Happinefs and Good intended for the Whole, and to be enjoyed by every Creature, in Proportion to the Perfection of its Nature. But of what Sort or Kind this general Felicity is, and where and when to be enjoyed, is Part of the Knowledge concealed from us. That there are Strokes of furprifing Wifdom and Defign in the meaneft Animal we well know, and fhall fee more of in our future Converfations; and alio, that there is a mutual Relation, Dependance, Harmony, and Connection in all the animated Orders of Beings; which plainly prove, that cach Order, and every Individual, is of fome Importance and Concernment to the Whole, as well as Man. According to the Poet's fine Simile. Like Jome grand Building is the UNIVERSE, Where every Part is ufeful in its Place; As well the Pins which all together bold, As the rich Carvings, or the glowing Gold.

The Young GENTLEMAN and LADY'S

PHILOSOPHY.

PART III.

DIALOGUE

I.

The Doctrine of the SPHERE; or, a general Defcription of the Circles thereof.

WE

*Cleonicus.

ELL, my Euphrofyne, I make no Question but the Converfations we had when I was with you laft, have made a notable Impreffion on your Mind, and fupplied you with Matter of ample Meditation and

Amusement.

Euphrofyne. Greatly fo, in each Refpect, dear Cleonicus; and fo agreeable were thofe Studies, and fo advantageous. to my Mind and Understanding, that I fhall ever reflect with Pleasure and Gratitude on the Care and Pains you then took to inftruct me in those more than human (I may truly fay divine) Speculations. You are a Stranger to the longing Expectation I have had for your Return, that I might have the Happiness of making a farther Progrefs and Proficiency therein.

Cleon. You fpeak in moft engaging Accents; we will now apply every Opportunity to that Purpofe; and as we then contemplated the Heavens in a natural and practical Way; fo now we will farther confider the Advantages Art has fupplied us with, to make thofe Things ftill

more

Now returned again from the Univerfity, where he is fuppofed to have been to purfue his Studies fince the last Dialogue was finished.

more eafy and practically ufeful. To which End we have three excellent Inftruments contrived, viz. the ARMILLARY SPHERE, the ORRERY, and the GLOBES.

Euphrof. I fhould much delight to be acquainted with the Nature and Ufes of thefe Inftruments, Cleonicus.

Cleon. That you will attain with great Eafe; for there is nothing in them which a Genius much inferior to yours is not capable of apprehending.

Euphrof. No Compliments, I beg of you, Cleonicus; I fhall put you to prove your Words; for, if I can once understand thefe Machines, I fhall have a great Opinion of myself as an Aftronomer.

Cleon. And justly you may; nor will you then be the first Woman who has understood Aftronomy well. Aftronomy is a noble Science, worthy the Fair-Sex, and highly deferving the Encomium of the Poet.

Aftronomy! bail, Science heavenly born!

Thy Schemes the Life affift, the Mind adorn.
Thy Aids the Heaven's feal' d Volumes wide impart ;
And taught the Seaman firft his useful Art;
Gave changing Seafons their determin'd Space,

And fix'd to Hours and Years their meafur'd Race. Euphrof. So ufeful a Science urges me with Impatience to the Study of it; and, pray, which of the afore-namedInftruments do we first begin with, to employ the remaining Hours of the Day?

Cleon. The ARMILLARY SPHERE, by the Knowledge of which you will naturally be led to the understanding of the Orrery and the Globes, on which you may practise all the useful Problems of Aftronomy.

Euphrof. Pray what is that you call the Armillary Sphere? Cleon. I will prefently fhew you; I have bought one at London, as I came home, which coft me 20 Guineas, on Purpose to give you the better Idea of fuch things as may prove the future Subject of our Speculations.Here it is, Sifter.

Euphrof. A fine and curious Machine, indeed! But I fee nothing but Circles variously connected together; pray, what am I to understand by them?

Cleon. You will fee more hereafter; but we will first confider the Nature and Ufe of the Circles; a due Understanding of which, is the Ground of all practical Aftronomy.