Page:Harper's New Monthly Magazine - v109.djvu/912

844 to the stable existence of organic matter in the hot and temperate zones. The torrid zone of Mars must nearly correspond climatologically to our temperate one. We can therefore state this fact in favor of Mars as an abode suitable to life such as exists upon earth.

God exists, and He did not create habitable spheres with no object. Therefore, we can hardly conceive that habitable spheres were created without the end being accomplished. It seems absurd to pretend that they were only created to be observed from time to time by a few of us; how, therefore, could the aim of their existence be accomplished if they are not inhabited by a single being? Ill-advised theologians who say that the sidereal universe is merely a mass of inert matter disposed by God according to mathematical laws for the glorification of His power fall very short of the reply demanded to such an important question. The connection between our own planet and its beings leads us to the inevitable conclusion that the idea of habitation is immediately connected with the idea of habitability.

The astronomical position of this earth in the orbit which it describes, and the normal dispositions of its nature and its geological and climatological constitution, show that it is far from being in the most favorable position for the maintenance of life; and the differences of age, position, mass, density, size, surroundings, biological conditions, etc., give many other spheres a superior position as regards habitability to that occupied by our planet in the immense amphitheatre of the sidereal creation. Superior worlds, magnificent dwellings of great advantages, stud the unexplored expanse of distant space; and it is in that wide expanse that humanity probably lives quietly and gloriously, under a pure and beneficent heaven, in the bosom of a temperature in harmony with the functions of organism, and in the enjoyment of peaceful relations with nature. An eternal spring (perhaps more diversified by ever-fresh charms than our most variable seasons) reigns in the fortunate spheres, where man is freed from all material occupation and exempted from the grosser needs inherent to our terrestrial organization.

With celestial photography we have only to leave a plate exposed five or six hours for it to become covered with luminous points which touch each other. For this reason I think that we should find all the stars are united one with the other quite close to each other like the molecules of our flesh, had we the means of seeing the connecting links, their rays of light, heat and electricity, their attractions and magnetisms which may unite them all.

From here to the sun there seems to be a vacuum of 93,000,000 miles; and from here to the moon a space of 240,000 miles. It is an error; vacuum does not exist. The sun holds the earth in space, lights, warms, and fertilizes it. Invisible bonds unite all the worlds.

Astronomy is not now limited to the mere mathematical position of the stars; it also involves research as to the conditions of life on the surface of other worlds.

Mars, Venus, Jupiter, Saturn, and the other solar systems interest us particularly because science has discovered points of similarity to our own planet. The starry heavens are transfigured, and we begin to see in all the regions of infinite space dwellings actual, past or future, of beings of all possible intelligence. Can one be surprised if an astronomer who is accustomed to dwell on celestial matters asks himself if these worlds may not be the dwelling-places of immortality? This great problem of the Beyond has certainly a great importance, and this solution is not to be despised even by theologians.

Is not the survival of the existence of the soul the logical complement of astronomy? If man dies out completely, how can the immensity of the universe interest us? If nothing remains of us, if we are only ephemeral mushrooms of the globe, living for a short time, how does it all concern us? Science is only a mockery like life itself; yea, a stupid and burlesque farce.

If astronomy interests us for itself, is it not through the philosophical horizons which it opens up to us? What is the universe? What are all these worlds? What is our real place, our destination, in this marvellous plan? These questions are surely of a more burning interest than the logarithmical position of a star.