Page:The Works of the Rev. Jonathan Swift, Volume 6.djvu/220

196 magnify much more than those of a hundred with us, and show the stars with greater clearness. This advantage has enabled them to extend their discoveries, much farther than our astronomers in Europe; for they have made a catalogue of ten thousand fixed stars, whereas the largest of ours, do not contain above one third part of that number. They have likewise discovered two lesser stars, or satellites, which revolve about Mars; whereof the innermost is distant from the centre of the primary planet, exactly three of his diameters, and the outermost, five; the former revolves in the space of ten hours, and the latter in twenty-one and a half; so that the squares of their periodical times, are very near in the same proportion with the cubes of their distance, from the centre of Mars; which evidently shows them to be governed by the same law of gravitation, that influences the other heavenly bodies.

They have observed ninety-three different comets, and settled their periods with great exactness. If this be true, (and they affirm it with great confidence) it is much to be wished, that their observations were made publick, whereby the theory of comets, which at present is very lame and defective, might be brought to the same perfection, with other parts of astronomy.

The king would be the most absolute prince in the universe, if he could but prevail on a ministry to join with him; but these having their estates below on the continent, and considering that the office of a favourite has a very uncertain tenure, would never consent to the enslaving of their country.

If any town should engage in rebellion or mutiny, fall into violent factions, or refuse to pay the usual tribute,