be for want of heat. What pair
of compasses, whose circumference encircles both heaven and earth,
has fixed such just dimensions? That star does no less befriend
that part of the earth from which it removes, in order to temper it,
than that it approaches to favour it with its beams. Its kind,
beneficent aspect fertilises all it shines upon. This change
produces that of the seasons, whose variety is so agreeable. The
spring silences bleak frosty winds, brings forth blossoms and
flowers, and promises fruits. The summer yields rich harvests. The
autumn bestows the fruits promised by the spring. The winter, which
is a kind of night wherein man refreshes and rests himself, lays up
all the treasures of the earth in its centre with no other design
but that the next spring may display them with all the graces of
novelty. Thus nature, variously attired, yields so many fine
prospects that she never gives man leisure to be disgusted with what
he possesses.

But how is it possible for the course of the sun to be so regular?
It appears that star is only a globe of most subtle flame. Now,
what is it that keeps that flame, so restless and so impetuous,
within the exact bounds of a perfect globe? What hand leads that
flame in so strait a way and never suffers it to slip one side or
other? That flame is held by nothing, and there is no body that can
either guide it or keep it under; for it would soon consume whatever
body it should be enclosed in. Whither is it going? Who has taught
it incessantly and so regularly to turn in a space where it is free
and unconstrained? Does it not circulate about us on purpose to
serve us? Now if this flame does not turn, and if on the contrary
it is our earth that turns, I would fain know how it comes to be so
well placed in the centre of the universe, as it were the focus or
the heart of all nature. I would fain know also how it comes to
pass that a globe of so subtle matter never slips on any side in
that immense space that surrounds it, and wherein it seems to stand
with reason that all fluid bodies ought to yield to the impetuosity
of that flame.

In fine, I would fain know how it comes to pass that the globe of
the earth, which is so very hard, turns so regularly about that
planet in a space where no solid body keeps it fast to regulate its
course. Let men with the help of physics contrive the most
ingenious reasons to explain this phenomenon; all their arguments,
supposing th