Plate XXIX.
But we are not confined by this Theory to this Form only, there may be various Systems of Stars, as well as of Planets, and differing probably as much in their Order and Distribution as the Zones of Jupiter do from the Rings of Saturn, it is not at all necessary, that every collective Body of Stars should move in the same Direction, or after the same Model of Motion, but may as reasonably be supposed as much to vary, as we find our Planets and Comets do.
Hence we may imagine some Creations of Stars may move in the Direction of perfect Spheres, all variously inclined, direct and retrograde; others again, as the primary Planets do, in a general Zone or Zodiack, or more properly in the Manner of Saturn's Rings, nay, perhaps Ring within Ring, to a third or fourth Order, as shewn in Plate XXVIII. nothing being more evident, than that if all the Stars we see moved in one vast Ring, like those of Saturn, round any central Body, or Point, the general Phænomena of our Stars would be solved by it; see Plate XXIX. Fig. 1. and 2. the one representing a full Plane of these Motions, the other a Profile of them, and a visible Creation at B and C, the central Body A, being supposed as incognitum, without the finite View; not only the Phænomena of the Milky Way may be thus accounted for, but also all the cloudy Spots, and irregular Distribution of them; and I cannot help being of Opinion, that could we view Saturn thro' a Telescope capable of it, we should find his Rings no other than an infinite Number of lesser Planets, inferior to those we call his Satellites: What inclines me to believe it, is this, this Ring, or Collection of small Bodies, appears to be sometimes very excentric, that is, more distant from Saturn's Body on one Side than on the other, and as visibly leaving a larger Space between the Body and the Ring; which would hardly be the Case, if the Ring, or Rings, were connected, or solid, since we have good Reason to suppose, it would be equally attracted on all Sides by the Body of Saturn, and by that means preserve every where an equal Distance from him; but if they are really little Planets, it is clearly demonstrable from our own in like Cases, that there may be frequently more of them on one Side, than on the other, and but very rarely, if ever, an equal Distribution of them all round the Saturnian Globe.
How much a Confirmation of this is to be wished, your own Curiosity may make you judge, and here I leave it for the Opticians to determine. I shall content myself with observing that Nature never leaves us without a sufficient Guide to conduct us through all the necessary Paths of Knowledge; and it is far from absurd to suppose Providence may have every where throughout the whole Universe, interspersed Modules of every Creation, as our Divines tell us, Man is the Image of God himself.
Thus, Sir, you have had my full Opinion, without the least Reserve, concerning the visible Creation, considered as Part of the finite Universe; how far I have succeeded in my designed Solution of the Via Lactea, upon which the Theory of the Whole is formed, is a Thing will hardly be known in the present Century, as in all Probability it may require some Ages of Observation to discover the Truth of it.
It remains that I should now give you some Idea of Time and Space; but this will afford Matter sufficient for another Letter.
I am, &c.
