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The Christian Philosopher; or, Science and Religion

Popular Works on Astronomy

page 159

Popular Works on Astronomy

Brewster's Ferguson's Astronomy, 2 vols., 8vo., with a vol. of plates. The notes and supplementary chapters of this work, written by Sir D. Brewster, contain a full and comprehensive detail of all the modern discoveries in this science.—Bonnycastle's Introduction to Astronomy, 1 vol., 8vo.—La Place's System of the World, 2 vols., 8vo.—Dr. Olinthus Gregory's Astronomy, 1 vol., 8vo.—Mrs. Bryan's System of Astronomy, 8vo.—Adams’ Astronomical and Geographical Essays, 8vo.—Phillips's Eight Familiar Lectures on Astronomy, 12mo.–Herschel's Astronomy.–Squire's Grammar of Astronomy, one thick vol. 18mo., closely printed, and illustrated with 35 plates.—Arago's Lectures on Astronomy.—The Wonders of the Heavens, 12mo.—This work contains a popular view of the principal facts of Astronomy, and is illustrated with 50 elegant engravings of a variety of interesting objects connected with the scenery of the heavens; but its discussions are too frequently blended with the peculiarities of a modern physical theory.—Martin's Gentleman and Lady's Philosophy, vol. 1.—Derham's Astro-Theology, and Whiston's Astronomical Principles of Religion, 8vo.—Baxter's Matho, 2 vols., etc.—An elegant and comprehensive outline of the leading facts of Astronomy in their relation to Revealed Religion, will be found in Dr. Chalmers's Discourses on the Christian Revelation, viewed in connection with Modern Astronomy, 8vo.—The general reader, in commencing his study of this science, will find Bonnycastle's “Introduction” a very interesting work. It is written in an elegant and animated style, and is agreeably interspersed with a number of appropriate reflections; but it is deficient in the detail of modern discoveries. He might next proceed to the perusal of Ferguson, Gregory, Squire, etc.—La Place's work contains a beautiful exposition of the Newtonian system; but it is glaringly deficient in reference to the Wisdom and Agency of a Supreme Intelligence. “An undevout astronomer is mad.” Baxter's Matho contains a popular and interesting view of this subject, and forms a striking contrast to the apathy of La Place, who carefully keeps out of view the agency of the Creator—the main design of this author being to connect the phenomena of the heavens and the earth with the attributes of Deity, and the high destination of immortal minds. Though this work passed through three editions, it does not seem to have been appreciated according to its merits. As it has now become scarce, a new edition with notes, containing a detail of modern discoveries, might be an acceptable present to the public. Those who wish to prosecute this subject to a greater extent, may be referred to Long's Astronomy, 2 vols., 4to.— Robison's Mechanical Philosophy, vol. 1.—Dr. Pearson's Introduction to Practical Astronomy, comprising descriptions of Telescopes, Equatorials, Quadrants, and other astronomical instruments, 2 large vols., 4to., with numerous engravings of instruments.—Vince's complete System of Astronomy, 3 vols., 4to.—La Lande Astronomie, 3 vols., 4to—and Biot's Traitie Elémentaire d’ Astronomie Physique. A comprehensive work on Descriptive Astronomy, detailing in a popular manner, all the facts which have been ascertained respecting the scenery of the heavens, accompanied with a variety of striking delineations, and interspersed with appropriate moral reflections, accommodated to the general reader, is a desideratum which we trust will be in some measure supplied by the two volumes we lately published, entitled “Celestial Scenery,” and the “Sidereal Heavens,” which have already passed through several editions, and have been republished in different parts of America.