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what kitchen means. I am not able to buy a ha'porth of milk in the fortnight, and have not tasted a herring these three months." This woman, says Mr. G. Gottingham, is a fair specimen of the widows of the parish.

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In transcribing the above revolting statements, I have been almost led to feel ashamed of the order of intelligent beings to which I belong, It cannot but fill every feeling and well principled mind with a holy indignation, that such scenes should be found to exist in a country that boasts of its religion, and requires so much money for its support. The facts are not the exaggerations of any political party; as they were publicly and minutely investigated, and are admitted by all parties to be substantially correct. They are corroborated by the statements of the late Mr. Inglis, in his Journey throughout Ireland in 1834," and, by all others who have lately visited that misgoverned, and unhappy country. At this very moment, hundreds of poor starving wretches have been ejected by their rich landlords, from the half acres and miserable hovels they occupied, in the midst of the most inclement season of the year, to wander through the country, houseless and forlorn, and to perish of hunger and cold. One of the unfeeling miscreants, who acted as factor to some of the landlords, when remonstrated with on the dismal and destitute situation of the poor people, who were deprived of every shelter, and of every means of subsistance, had the fiendish effrontery to declare, that "they might go and EAT ONE ANOTHER, if they pleased."

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Even the " Quarterly Review," which is not generally very squeamish on such subjects, exhibits a becoming indignation at this picture. The wonder surely is, (says a writer in No. 109,) not that men become monsters under such circumstances; that they make war upon the world, and the world's law which neglects and oppresses them; that being left to the destitution of the savage, they exhibit his disposition, adopt his system of self preservation, and disregard the first principles of society. No! the wonder is, that philosophers are found audacious enough to maintain that sufferings, such as we have related, should remain unrelieved, in order to keep up the charitable sympathies of the people for each other, uncontaminated by the odious interference of a legal provision for the destitute." And again, "the social virtues are stifled in an atmosphere of such misery and selfishness, for the instinct of self-preservation overpowers every other feeling."

Perhaps there are few instances of covetousness more palpable an1 odious, than are displayed in reference to the facts that have been now stated. It is a striking feature connected with these facts-that, while thousands of poor

creatures are living in roofless huts, with nothing but a cold damp floor to lie upon, and not even enough of a few rotten potatoes for their food, the nobility, gentry, and rich landlords, seldom contribute in the least, to relieve their misery, while none are more loud in their bawlings about religion, and the support of the church. It is a most unhappy and unnatural state of society, that when thousands are revelling in the midst of luxury and debauchery, there should be tens of thousands immediately around them, suffering every privation, and many of them absolutely perishing for want in the midst of plenty and splendour. That such scenes should be daily realized in a country blessed with fertility, and a fine climate; in a country where so much wealth is lavished in folly and extravagance, and where so many enormous pensions and sinecures are enjoyed, both from the church and the state, cannot but fill every generous mind with swelling indignation. Here is surely a fine opportunity for wealthy gentlemen of benevolent feelings, to come forward and display their generosity. What might hinder them from purchasing some of the Irish moors, and mosses, and wastes, and setting thousands of the labouring poor to bring them into a state of cultivation, and to rear for themselves comfortable habitations? The blessing of thousands ready to perish would rest upon them, and their own hearts would feel a satisfaction superior to all the pleasures derived from pomp and pageantry, and riotous abundance.

What becomes of all that wealth which has been bestowed on the Bishops, Deans, and many of the Rectors of the Episcopal church ; the one half of which would go a great way towards meliorating the condition of the lower class of the population of Ireland? When the lands and other emoluments were first allotted to the bishops, it was, on the provision, that the one half, or at least the one third of the proceeds should be devoted to the poor This appears to be admitted by the benevolent Archbishop of Tuam, in his evidence stated above. "If the church lands," says the Archbishop, “be reappropriated to the original destination, a large fund would be supplied to the support of the people.” And would not the one half, of incomes amounting to eight, ten, fifteen, or twenty thousand pounds annually, be quite sufficient for any order of ministers belonging to the Christian church? That such an appropriation has never yet been voluntarily made, even when the most urgent demand for it existed--seems to indicate that there is a glaring want of Christian principle and benevolence, even among the ministers of the Christian church

OR

THE WONDERS

OF

THE PLANETARY SYSTEM DISPLAYED;

ILLUSTRATING

THE PERFECTIONS OF DEITY

AND A PLURALITY OF WORLDS.

BY THOMAS DICK, LL. D.,

AUTHOR OF THE CHRISTIAN PHILOSOPHER,

06 PHILOSOPHY OF A FUTURE STATE,

PHILOSOPHY OF RELIGION,
IMPROVEMENT OF SOCIETY BY THE
THE MENTAL ILLUMINATION

66
DIFFUSION OF KNOWLEDGE,”
AND MORAL IMPROVEMENT OF MANKIND." etc. etc.

ST. LOUIS, Mo.:

EDWARDS & BUSHNELL.

1857.

PREFACE.

THE following work is intended for the instruction cf general readers, to direct their attention to the study of the heavens, and to present to their view sublime objects of contemplation. With this view the author has avoided entering on the more abstruse and recondite portions of astronomical science, and confined his attention chiefly to the exhibition of facts, the foundation on which they rest, and the reasonings by which they are supported. All the prominent facts and discoveries connected with descriptive astronomy, in so far as they relate to the planetary system, are here recorded, and many of them exhibited in a new point of view; and several new facts and observations are detailed which have hitherto been either unnoticed or unrecorded. The results of hundreds of tedious calculations have been introduced respecting the solid and superficial contents of the different planets, their satellites, and the rings of Saturn; their comparative magnitudes and motions, the extent of their orbits, the apparent magnitudes of bodies in their respective firmaments, and many other particulars not contained in books of astronomy, in order to produce in the minds of common readers definite conceptions of the magnitude and grandeur of the solar system. The mode of determining the distances and magnitudes of the celestial bodies is explained, and rendered as perspicuous and popular as the nature of the subject will admit; and the prominent arguments which demonstrate a plurality of worlds are considered in all their bearings, and illustrated in detail.

One new department of astronomical science, which has hitherto been overlooked, nas been introduced into this volume, namely, the scenery of the heavens as exhibited From the surfaces of the different planets and their satellites, which forms an interesting ɔbject of contemplation, and, at the same time, a presumptive argument in favour of the doctrine of a plurality of worlds.

The author, having for many years past been a pretty constant observer of celestial phenomena, was under no necessity of adhering implicitly to the descriptions given by preceding writers, having had an opportunity of observing, through some of the best reflecting and achromatic telescopes, the greater part of the phenomena of the solar system which are here described.

Throughout the volume he has endeavoured to make the facts he describes bear upon the illustration of the Power, Wisdom, Benevolence, and the Moral Government of the Almighty, and to elevate the views of the reader to the contemplation of HIM who sits on the throne of the universe, "by whom the worlds were framed,” and who is the Source and Centre of all felicity.

In prosecuting the subject of Celestial Scenery, the author intends, in another volume, to carry forward his survey to the STARRY HEAVENS and other objects connected with astronomy. That volume will embrace discussions relative to the number, distance, and arrangement of the stars; periodical and variable stars; new (345) (3)

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and temporary stars; double and triple stars; binary systems; stellar and planetary nebulæ; the comets, and other particulars; accompanied with such reflections as the contemplation of such august objects may suggest. The subject of a plurality of worlds will likewise be prosecuted, and additional arguments, derived both from reason and Revelation, will be adduced in support of this position. The practical utility of astronomical studies, their connexion with religion, and the views they unfold of the perfections and the empire of the Creator, will also be the subject of consideration. And should the limits of a single volume permit, some hints may be given in relation to the desiderata in astronomy, and the means by which the progress of the science may be promoted, together with descriptions of the telescope, the equatorial, and other instruments, and the manner of using them for celestial investigation.

BROUGHTY FERRY, near Dundee,
December, 1837.

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