material world; by which I mean that system2 of bodies, into which nature has so curiously 3 wrought the mass of dead matter, with the several relations that those bodies bear to one another; there is still, methinks, something more wonderful and surprising, in contemplations4 on the world of life: which I understand, all those animals with which every part of the universe is furnished. The material5 world is only the shell of the universe the world of life are its inhabitants. by 2. If we consider those parts of the material world, which lie nearest to us, and are therefore subject to our observations and enquiries, it is amazing to consider the infinity of animals with which it is stocked. Every part of the matter is peopled? every green leaf swarmst with inhabitants. 3. There is scarcely a single humor in the body of a man, or any other animal, in which our glasses do not discover myriads6 of living creatures. We find even in the most solid bodies, as in marble itself, innumerable cells7 and cavities, which are crowded with such imperceptible inhabitants, as are too little for the naked eye to dis 2 System, me 3 Curiously, ad thod, scheme. exactly, ele. gan ly. 4 Contemplation, s study, meditation. 5 Material, a corporeal, important. * Infinity, s in finite number, immensity. † Swarm, v to crowd, throng, abound. 6 Myriad, e the number ten millions. 7 Cells's smal cavities, hollow places. On the other hand, if we look into the more bulky parts of nature, we see the seas,8 lakest and rivers, teeming with numberless kinds of living creatures. We find every mountain2 and marsh, wilderness and wood, plentifully stocked with birds and beasts; and every part of matter affording proper necessaries and conveniences, for the livelihood of multitudes which inhabits it. 5. The author of the "plurality4 of worlds," draws a very good argument from this consideration, for the peopling of every planet ;5 as indeed it seems very probable, from the analogy6 of reason, that if no part of matter, with which we are acquainted, lies waste and useless, those great bodies which are at such a distance from us, are not desert and unpeopled; but rather that they are furnished with beings adapted to their respective situations. 6. Existence 8 is a blessing to those beings only which are endowed with perception ? and is in a manner thrown away upon dead matter, any further than as it is subservient to beings which are conscious9 of their existence. cordingly, we find from the bodies which lie under our observation, AC material world; by which I mean that system2 of bodies, into which nature has so curiously 3 wrought the mass of dead matter, with the several relations that those bodies bear to one another; there is still, methinks, something more wonderful and surprising, in contemplations4 on the world of life: which I understand, all those animals with which every part of the universe is furnished. The mate by rial5 world is only the shell of the universe the world of life are its inhabitants. 2. If we consider those parts of the material world, which lie nearest to us, and are therefore subject to our observations and enquiries, it is amazing to consider the infinity of animals with which it is stocked. Every part of the matter is peopled? every green leaf swarmst with inhabitants. 3. There is scarcely a single humor in the body of a man, or any other animal, in which our glasses do not discover myriads6 of living creatures. We find even in the most solid bodies, as in marble itself, innumerable cells7 and cavities, which are crowded with such imperceptible inhabitants, as are too little for the naked eye to dis 2 System,» me 3 Curiously, ad thod, scheme. exactly, elegan ly. 4 Contemplation, s study, meditation. 5 Material, a corporeal, important. * Infinity, s in finite number, immensity. Swarm, v to crowd, throng, abound. 6 Myriad, the number ten millions. 7 Cells s smal cavities, hollow places. water. On the other hand, if we look into the more bulky parts of nature, we see the seas,8 lakest and rivers, teeming with numberless kinds of living creatures. We find every inge wides mountain2 and marsh, wilderness and wood, plentifully stocked with birds and beasts; and every part of matter affording proper necessaries and conveniences, for the livelihood of multitudes which inhabi:3 it. 5. The author of the "plurality4 of worlds," draws a very gud argument from this consideram. for the peopling of every planet 15 as indeed it seems very princiu. from the analogy 5 of reason, that if no part of matter, with wish we are acquainted, lies waste and pmps useless, those great bodies with are at such a distance from as, are not desert? and unpeopled: bit rather that they are furnished with beings adapted to their respective situations. 6. Existence is a dowed with perception ? asti is a conscious9 of their exister 2. material world; by which I mean that system2 of bodies, into which nature has so curiously 3 wrought the mass of dead matter, with the several relations that those bodies bear to one another; there is still, methinks, something more wonderful and surprising, in contemplations4 on the world of life: by which I understand, all those animals with which every part of the universe is furnished. The material5 world is only the shell of the universe the world of life are its inhabitants. 2. If we consider those parts of the material world, which lie nearest to us, and are therefore subject to our observations and enquiries, it is amazing to consider the infinity of animals with which it is stocked. Every part of the matter is peopled? every green leaf swarmst with inhabitants. 2 System, s me 3 Curiously, ad thod, scheme. exactly, ele. ganly. 4 Contemplameditation. tion, s study, 5 Material, a corporeal, important. * Infinity, s in finite number, immensity. † Swarm, v to crowd, throng, abound. 6 Myriad, the number ten millions. 3. There is scarcely a single humor in the body of a man, or any other animal, in which our glasses do not discover myriads6 of living creatures. We find even in the most solid bodies, as in marble itself, innumerable cells7 and cavities, which are crowded with such places. imperceptible inhabitants, as are too little for the naked eye to dis 7 Cells & smal cavities, hollow |