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Copernicus discovered the true order of the solar system; but the order itself has been there from the morning of time. Newton discovered the force of gravity, but that force has been in the natural situation since creation. Chemists have been able to make out sixty-five or sixty-six irreducible elements; but while chemistry is young, the elements are everlasting.
A blow on the side of the head sent the detective crashing against a cartonnage, and together the quick and the dead rolled to the floor. Instinctively Haggerty turned on his back, aimed at the window and fired. Too late! When the constellation, which was not included among the accepted theories of Copernicus, passed away, Haggerty sat up and rubbed the swelling over his ear, tenderly yet grimly.
We are inclined to think that, with respect to every great addition which has been made to the stock of human knowledge, the case has been similar; that without Copernicus we should have been Copernicans, that without Columbus America would have been discovered, that without Locke we should have possessed a just theory of the origin of human ideas.
As long as such notions were in operation, not only were there no grounds for denying the reality of the pagan gods, but there was every reason to assume it. So far we may rightly say that it was Copernicus, Galileo, Giordano Bruno, Kepler and Newton that did away with the traditional conception of ancient paganism.
The next conspicuous object toward the south ranks with Copernicus among the grandest of all lunar phenomena the ring, or crater, Tycho. It is about fifty-four miles in diameter and some points on its wall rise 17,000 feet above the interior. In the center is a bright mountain peak 5,000 feet high.
At one o'clock in the morning, the Projectile, flying through space, was exactly over this magnificent mountain. In spite of the brilliant sunlight that was blazing around them, the travellers could easily recognize the peculiar features of Copernicus. It belongs to those ring mountains of the first class called Circuses.
"It certainly ain't done your conversation any harm to be affected that way." "Oh, then, an you jest, Master " "Not a mite!" exclaimed Copernicus, anxiously. "Verily, nay, friend. Trust me never!" "Or never trust thee!" quoth the knight, with a twinkle in his eye.
Copernicus has shown that what appears real, to material sense and feeling, is absolutely unreal. Astronomy, optics, acoustics, and hydraulics are all at war with the testimony of the physical senses. This fact intimates that the laws of Science are mental, not material; and Christian Science demonstrates this. The rule of divinity is golden; to be wise and true rejoices every heart.
In his great book Copernicus says: "The movement of the heavenly bodies is uniform, circular, perpetual, or else composed of circular movements." Mod. Kepler tells us that Tycho Brahe was pleased with this device, and adapted it to his own system. Hist. Ast., vol. i., p. 354. Hist. of Phys. Ast., p. vii.
It will be seen that Copernicus and Bruno were very different in temperament: one was gentle, diplomatic, cautious; the other was headstrong, firm and full of argument. Bruno was given his choice: to cease the study of astronomy or to lay aside the Dominican frock.
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