The Universe; or, the Infinitely Great and the Infinitely Little

Abstract

“WHAT a charming title !” was the thought which first came to us when we saw the announcement of this splendid book. “What a terrible title !” was the thought which swiftly followed. Is it a message from some modern prophet to a people, who, having eyes, see not, and having ears, hear not; imploring them to take heed to the tale written in every character in all space, and chanted in every note by every atom, so long and so often in vain? Will it tell us of the signs written in lines of light and lines of black, which have been travelling earthward from the outermost space since the oldest time, till now unnoticed and unread? Will it speak of the oozy mother of living things, which lies and creeps and grows over the whole bottom of the ocean's depths, and comes and goes in every little stagnant pool and slimy puddle? Will it teach us of the quivering flight of atoms in every fire that burns on earth, and in the flaming ministers which rush through illimitable space; of the fairy chains which are welded when the chamber window is sculptured with the frost, and which hold in bonds the elements of the salt that is spilt; and of the giant chains which curb the comets and bind the invisible stars to us? Will it make us to know the great pulsations which shake the earth, and the little throbs which stir the tiny cells of every thing which lives and dies?