let. I.

OF ASTRONOMY.

7

that infinite diversity of characters and passionswhich we observe among men. To’make everyevent depend upon the twinkling of a star, isin absurdity equal to that of the Laplandwitches, who pretend to regulate the course ofthe winds by tying knots in a string.

Another singular service which astronomy Irasrendered to society, is the assistance it affordsto the husbandman and labourer, in the cultiva-tion of the earth. The whole business of agri-culture depends upon a knowledge of theseasons, and the course of the sun. In everyclimate there are certain necessary intervals be-tween the various operations of tillage andculture; and these intervals, being once knownby experience, point out the proper time whenevery operation is to be performed. But howare we to know exactly, and before-hand, as isoften required, the commencement of everyseason, and its stated continuance? This canOnly be done by searching in the heavens forsome invariable signs, which are always con-nected with them, and announce their return.

These signs are indicated by the fun, or someparticular star; and though the knowledge ofthem is but little attended to at present, it wasabsolutely necessary in the ancient world, whenthe peasant had no other guide to direct hislabours than his own observations. ThusArcturus, Orion, and the Pleiades, marked outB 4 the