CABINET OF NATURE.

IMMENSE QUANTITY OF MATTER IN THE UNIVERSE; Or, Illustrations of the Omnipotence of the Deity.

(Continued from page 134.)

In the next place, the rapid motions of the great bodies of the universe, no less than their magnitudes, display the Infinite Power of the Creator.

We can acquire accurate ideas of the relative velocities of moving bodies, only by comparing the motions with which we are familiar, with one another, and with those which lie beyond the general range of our minute inspection. We can acquire a pretty accurate conception of the velocity of a ship, impelled by the wind-of a steamboat-of a race horse of a bird darting through the air-of an arrow flying from a bow-and of the clouds when impelled by a stormy wind. The velocity of a ship is from 8 to 12 miles an hour,-of a race horse, from 20 to 30 miles-of a bird, say from 50 to 60 miles, and of the clouds, in a violent hurricane, from 80 to 100 miles an hour. The motion of a ball from a loaded cannon is incomparably swifter than any of the motions now stated; but of the velocity of such a body we have a less accurate idea; because, its rapidity being so great, we cannot trace it distinctly by the eye, through its whole range, from the mouth of the cannon to the object against which it is impelled. By experiments, it has been found, that its rate of motion is from 480 to 800 miles in an hour, but it is retarded every moment, by the resistance of the air and the attraction of the earth. This velocity, however, great as it is, bears no sensible proportion to the rate of motion which is found among the celestial orbs. That such enormous masses of matter should move at all, is wonderful; but when we consider the amazing velocity with which they are impelled, we are lost in astonishment. The planet Jupiter, in describing his circuit round the sun, moves at the rate of 29,000 miles an hour. The planet Venus, one of the nearest and most brilliant of the celestial bodies, and about the same size as the earth, is found to move through the spaces of the firmament at the rate of 76,000 miles an hour; and the planet

Mercury, with a velocity of no less than 105,000 miles an hour, or 1750 miles in a minute-—a motion two hundred times swifter than that of a cannon` ball.

These velocities will appear still more astonishing, if we consider the magnitude of the bodies ́ which are thus impelled, and the immense forces which are Howrequisite to carry them along in their courses. ever rapidly a ball flies from the mouth of a cannon, it is the flight of a body only a few inches in diameter; but one of the bodies, whose motion has been just now stated, is eighty-nine thousand miles in diameter, and would comprehend, within its vast circumference, more than a thousand globes as large as the earth.-Could we contemplate such motions, from a fixed point, at the distance of only a few hundreds of miles from the bodies thus impelled-it would raise our admiration to its highest pitch, it would overwhelm all our faculties, and, in our present state would produce an impression of awe, and even of terror, beyond the power of language to express. The earth contains a mass of matter equal in weight to at least 2,200,000,000,000,000,000,000 tons, supposing its mean density to be only about 2 times greater than water. To move this ponderous mass a single inch beyond its position, were it fixed in a quiescent state, would require a mechanical force almost beyond the power of numbers to express. physical force of all the myriads of intelligences within the bounds of the planetary system, though their powers were far superior to those of man, would be altogether inadequate to the production of such a motion. How much more must be the force requisite to impel it with a velocity one hundred and forty times swifter than a cannon ball, or 68,000 miles an hour, the actual rate of its motion, in its course round the sun! whatever degree of mechanical power would be requisite to produce such a stupendous effect, it would require a force one hundred and fifty times greater to impel the planet Jupiter, in his actual course, through the heavens! Even the planet Saturn, one of the slowest moving bodies of our system, a globe 900 times

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larger than the earth, is impelled through the regions of space, at the rate of 22,000 miles an hour, carrying along with him two stupendous rings, and seven moons larger than ours, through his whole course round the central luminary. Were we placed within a thousand miles of this stupendous globe, (a station which superior beings may occasionally occupy) where its hemisphere, encompassed by its magnificent rings, would fill the whole extent of our vision-the view of such a ponderous and glorious object, flying with such amazing velocity before us, would infinitely exceed every idea of grandeur we can derive from terrestrial scenes, and overwhelm our powers with astonishment and awe. Under such an emotion, we could only exclaim, "GREAT AND MARVELLOUS ARE THY WORKS, LORD GOD ALMIGHTY!" The ideas of strength and power implied in the impulsion of such enormous masses of matter, through the illimitable tracts of space, are forced upon the mind with irresistible energy, far surpassing what any abstract propositions or reasonings can convey; and constrain us to exclaim, "Who is a strong Lord like unto thee! Thy right hand is become glorious in power! The Lord God omnipotent reigneth!"

YOUNG LADIES' GARLAND

A WELL CULTIVATED MIND FORMS AN ESSENTIAL INGREDIENT OF FEMALE EXCELLENCE.

BY REV. GARDINER SPRING, D. D.

We have yet to learn, that the Supreme Creator has denied to woman the same capacity for intellectual exertion, which he has communicated to man; and that with the same training, the same auxiliaries, and the same incitement, she might not maintain her equal progression in every enterprise that demands simply intellectual endowment. But this is a point of no easy decision, and of little utility could it be equally decided. There are those who so far depreciate the intellectual worth of females, as to believe that all that is important in female education, is limited by a

thorough acquaintance with domestic philosophy; and that to furnish our daughters with any thing beyond this, and particularly to instruct them in any of the branches of solid learning and science, is a superfluity that ill befits their condition and employment.

But how contracted are such views, and how far do they fall short of qualifying females, for some of the more useful and important duties of their sex! Mind is a glorious endowment; and there is no reason why the mind of a female should not be cultivated with unwearied assiduity. Particularly to a female of keen perception, intuitive judgment, vivid fancy, and ready and attentive memory, every facility of developeing and improving her intellectual faculties, which her means and condition in life can furnish, should be afforded. I know of nothing which a woman may not study and acquire to advantage. If she is ambitious of deserving well, if she is diligent, as her experience and reflection become matured, I would not only have her well grounded in all the branches of a good English education, but I would delight to see her plodding her steady course through the departments of classical knowledge-introduced to the masters of science in every age-familiar with the history of other times, and the biography of other men-well acquainted with the power of numbers-not meanly instructed in physical and intellectual philosophy-and especially, taught to think and reason, and to express her thoughts with propriety, force, and elegance. No reason exists why the temple of science should be interdicted to an enterprising female, and why its ascent should be deemed so rough and difficult that her modest foot may not attempt it. Every step she gains will reward her exertion, and facilitate her progress; and though it may not be her ambition to flourish in the republic of letters, yet if she would be esteemed and honored in human society, and become one of its most invaluable blessings she need not fear extending her acquisitions.

But while we advert to her intellectual cultivation, let us not slightly pass over the peculiar advantage of a thorough acquaintance with moral science. Here, every female should be at home. Last of all should

the science of God and salvation be hidden from her eyes; last of all, should she be a stranger to the principles and obligations which ought to govern her thoughts, her affections, and her conduct, every hour and moment of her existence. How humiliating if it were only in an intellectual view, that she should be ignorant of the topics and wonderful themes of contemplation, and powerful persuasiveness of enterprise, and unrivalled exhibitions of classical beauty and elegance, and matchless examples of purity of thought, with which the great text-book of moral science, the Bible, is so richly fraught! There, is revealed what nothing else has disclosed, and what none but God knew. From one page of this wonderful volume, a female may gain more knowledge of the great end of her being, and of what is useful and necessary to be known, than philosophy could acquire by the patience and toil of centuries. There, too, is developed the great system of truth, which philosophers and sages have sought in vain every where inculcating the most excellent maxims of wisdom-every where embodying counsels more paternal, admonitions more alarming, consolations more precious, expostulations more touching, than all the schemes of human instruction; and every where recounting events and transactions that cannot be communicated without the deepest interest and delight. The wonders of the Bible have interested and amazed the strongest intellects in creation. And if a female would be interested in subjects that can expand, and captivate, and transform her mind, that can crucify her affections to the pursuits and enjoyments of the world, then must her heart be endeared to the excellences of the Bible.

All these courses will strengthen and cultivate her intellectual powers, and fit her for usefulness. And if she be pious, how is her character invested with additional power, when it can put in requisition the force and furniture of a well disciplined and richly cultivated mind. The great variety of intellectual accomplishments she possesses, the more respectable she will become, and the more influence will she exert in any sphere she is destined to occupy.