Excerpt from A Cycle of Celestial Objects, Vol. 1: For the Use of Naval, Military, and Private Astronomers; Prolegomena Independently, however, of its mechanical uses, the depart ment of Urania is entitled to the strict regard of the educated classes, as furnishing the most exquisite proof of what the human intellect is capable. By it the mind is elevated to the consideration of orbs and objects which are undeniably the most conspicuous, the most beautiful, and the most important that can engage its powers: and while improving the understanding, it captivates the imagination. In a word, to astronomy are unveiled spaces and magnitudes of infinite extent, motions and forms of incomprehensible grandeur, and order and harmony of unspeakable sublimity. The philosopher, baffled with speculation on viewing the endless variety of divine effects, applies with awe and wonder to the investigation of what is reducible to certainty, in order the better to estimate the astonishing appropriateness of each of the myriads of parts which constitute the stupendous and inconceivable whole: and man is the more favoured by his beneficent Maker, in being permitted to attain and enjoy this gleam of heavenly glory. About the Publisher Forgotten Books publishes hundreds of thousands of rare and classic books. Find more at www.forgottenbooks.com This book is a reproduction of an important historical work. Forgotten Books uses state-of-the-art technology to digitally reconstruct the work, preserving the original format whilst repairing imperfections present in the aged copy. In rare cases, an imperfection in the original, such as a blemish or missing page, may be replicated in our edition. We do, however, repair the vast majority of imperfections successfully; any imperfections that remain are intentionally left to preserve the state of such historical works.