28 OF THE FIGURE AND MOTION

bodies with the bulk of our earth. For it is wellknown to Astronomers, that the fun is above amillion of times bigger than the earth; and,from the best modern observations, it appearsthat many of the stars are at least equally large.It is much more probable therefore, that theearth revolves round its axis, with an easy natm-ral motion, once in twenty-four hours, thanthat those vast bodies should be carried fromone place to another, with such incredibleswiftness.

Nor is it any objection to this rotation of theearth, that we are unable to perceive it. Foras the motion of a ship at sea, when Ihe sailsswiftly over the smooth surface of the water,is almost imperceptible to the passengers andcompany on board; much more so must it bewith such a large body as the earth, that has noimpediments or obstacles of any kind to meetwith in its way, or to disturb its motion. ABalloon, tqrning upon its axis, as it floatsthrough the atmosphere, affords a sensible repre-sentation of the earth, in its annual progressround the fun;

" That spinning sleeps,

On her soft axle, as the paces even,

And bears us swift with the smooth air along.”

Milton.

And