Page:Language of the Eye.djvu/47

Rh the activity of one system promoting that of a second; the functions of one organ, the action of another; whereby arises a succession of series of all functions, constituting a perfect circle, which is termed organic life. The power of any one organ of the body ministers to the enjoyment of every other part of the body, carrying on a correspondence with all the works of God. This unity of end and harmony of action have justly tempted the learned to continue those extensive investigations, amidst which the philosopher lives and dies; but our humble aim will be to attract attention to one subject only, and in as abstract and brief a manner as possible, and to render it in the most popular and untechnical language; for, whilst we admit the constant relations before noticed, we have neither the ability nor space to survey the whole field of philosophy. If we did not at once deny ourselves this extensive investigation, we might be required to consider the nature of the soul—the life of nature; the great globe—its consistence and relations with other worlds; and many subjects worthy of large volumes. The mechanization of other animals and their relations with the old and new worlds, geology and its incidents, the doctrine of gravity, motion, respiratory habits of the earth, air, light, colour, anatomy, physiology, pathology, therapeutics, human volition, &c. &c.

How exhaustless is the wonder which nature creates! It is said light moves 200,000 miles per second; that the earth is distant from the sun 95,000,000 miles; and that light traverses the space in about eight minutes. Again, it is said by some that the light which supplies this world emanates from certain celestial lights, and would require thousands of years ere it reached us, but that a force (almost awful) equal to its distance, drives it through this space, so as to supply us with fresh light every instant; and that it is thus it enters the eye of man and strikes on that