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Reactions to the New Philosophy
Joseph Addison, from The
Spectator, Nos. 420 and 465
In Spectator 420 (1712),
Joseph Addison points out that writers "who
describe visible Objects of a real Existence" can
move the reader fully as much as writers
of poetry and fiction.
But among this Sett of Writers, there are
none who more gratifie and enlarge the Imagination,
than the Authors of the new Philosophy, whether
we consider their Theories of the Earth or
Heavens, the Discoveries they have made by
Glasses, or any other of their Contemplations
on Nature. We are not a little pleased to
find every green Leaf swarm with Millions
of Animals, that at their largest Growth
are not visible to the naked Eye. There is
something very engaging to the Fancy, as
well as to our Reason, in the Treatises of
Metals, Minerals, Plants and Meteors. But
when we survey the whole Earth at once, and
the several Planets that lie within its Neighbourhood,
we are filled with a pleasing Astonishment,
to see so many Worlds hanging one above another,
and sliding round their Axles in such an
amazing Pomp and Solemnity. If, after this,
we contemplate those wide Fields of Ether,
that reach in height as far as from Saturn to
the fixt Stars, and run abroad almost to
an Infinitude, our Imagination finds its
Capacity filled with so immense a Prospect,
and puts it self upon the Stretch to comprehend
it. But if we yet rise higher, and consider
the fixt Stars as so many vast Oceans of
Flame, that are each of them attended with
a different Sett of Planets, and still discover
new Firmaments and new Lights, that are sunk
farther in those unfathomable Depths of Ether,
so as not to be seen by the strongest of
our Telescopes, we are lost in such a Labyrinth
of Suns and Worlds, and confounded with the
Immensity and Magnificence of Nature.
Later that year, in Spectator 465,
Addison composed a famous ode on the glory
of Creation.
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The Spacious Firmament on high,
With all the blue Etherial Sky,
And spangled Heav'ns, a Shining Frame,
Their great Original proclaim:
Th' unwearied Sun, from Day to Day,
Does his Creator's Power display,
And publishes to every Land
The Work of an Almighty Hand.
Soon as the Evening Shades prevail,
The Moon takes up the Wondrous Tale,
And nightly to the list'ning Earth
Repeats the Story of her Birth:
Whilst all the Stars that round her burn,
And all the Planets, in their turn,
Confirm the Tidings as they rowl,
And spread the Truth from Pole to Pole.
What though, in solemn Silence, all
Move round the dark terrestrial Ball?
What tho' nor real Voice nor Sound
Amid their radiant Orbs be found?
In Reason's Ear they all rejoice,
And utter forth a glorious Voice,
For ever singing, as they shine,
'The Hand that made us is Divine.' |
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