Celestial scenery; or, The wonders of the planetary system displayed

Preface

The following work is intended for the instruction of general readers, to direct their attention to the study of the heavens, and to present to their view sublime objects of contemplation. With this view the author has avoided entering on the more abstruse and recondite portions of astronomical science, and confined his attention chiefly to the exhibition of facts, the foundation on which they rest, and the reasonings by which they are supported. All the prominent facts and discoveries connected with descriptive astronomy, in so far as they relate to the planetary system, are here recorded, and many of them exhibited in a new point of view ; and several new facts and observations are detailed which have hitherto been either unnoticed or unrecorded.

The results of hundreds of tedious calculations have been introduced respecting the solid and superficial contents of the different planets, their satellites, and the rings of Saturn ; their comparative magnitudes and motions, the extent of their orbits,

IV PREFACE.

the apparent magnitudes of bodies in their respective firmaments, and many other particulars not contained in books of astronomy, in order to produce in the minds of common readers definite conceptions of the magnitude and grandeur of the solar system. The mode of determining the distances and magnitudes of the celestial bodies is explained, and rendered as perspicuous and popular as the nature of the subject will admit ; and the prominent arguments which demonstrate a plural ity of worlds are considered in all their bearings, and illustrated in detail.

One new department of astronomical science,, which has hitherto been overlooked, has been introduced into this volume, namely, the scenery of the heavens as exhibited from the surfaces of the different planets and their satellites, which forms an interesting object of contemplation, and, at the same time, a presumptive argument in favour of the doctrine of a plurality of worlds.

The author, having for many years past been a pretty constant observer of celestial phenomena, was under no necessity of adhering implicitly to the descriptions given by preceding writers, having had an opportunity of observing, through some of the best reflecting and achromatic telescopes, the greater part of the phenomena of the solar system which are here described.

PREFACE. V

Throughout the volume he has endeavoured to make the facts he describes bear upon the illustration of the Power, Wisdom, Benevolence, and the Moral Government of the Almighty, and to elevate the views of the reader to the contemplation of Him who sits on the throne of the universe, 1 by whom the worlds were framed," and who is the Source and Centre of all felicity.

In prosecuting the subject of Celestial Scenery, the author intends, in another volume, to carry forward his survey to the Starry Heavens and other objects connected with astronomy. That volume will embrace discussions relative to the number, distance, and arrangement of the stars ; periodical and variable stars ; new and temporary stars ; double and triple stars ; binary systems ; stellar and planetary nebulae ; the comets, and other particulars ; accompanied with such reflections as the contemplation of such august objects may suggest. The subject of a plurality of worlds will likewise be prosecuted, and additional arguments, derived both from reason and Revelation, will be adduced in support of this position. The practical utility of astronomical studies, their connexion with religion, and the views they unfold of the perfections and the empire of the Creator, will also be the subject of consideration. And should the limits of a single volume permit, some hints A 2

VI PREFACE.

may be given in relation to the desiderata in astronomy, and the means by which the progress of the science may be promoted, together with descriptions of the telescope, the equatorial, and other instruments, and the manner of using them for celestial investigation.

Contents

Introduction.— Objects and sublimity of the science of astron omy. — Ignorance of former ages on this subject. — Modern dis coveries. — Object of this work . . Page 13-17

Chapter I. On The General Appearance And Apparent Motions Op The Starry Heavens

Ignorance of the bulk of mankind in regard to the apparent motions of the heavens. — Deficiencies in our modes of education. — Innate curiosity of the young. — Apparent motions and phenomena of the nocturnal heavens. — How to find the pole-star. — Description of Ursa Major and Minor. — Situations of some of the principal stars. — Appearance of the firmament in southern latitudes. — Magnificence of the starry heavens. — Proofs of the earth's rotation. — Utility of the stars. — Measures of the celestial sphere 18-43

Chapter II. On The General Arrangement Op The Planetary System

Ptolemaic system, its complexity and futility. — Copernicus. — System of Copernicus. — Its important bearings. — Arguments to prove the truth of this system, and of the earth's annual motion, illustrated at large, 50-63. — Motion of the earth a sublime object of contemplation . 44-64

Chapter III

ON THE MAGNITUDES, MOTIONS, AND OTHER PHENOMENA OF THE BODIES CONNECTED WITH THE SOLAR SYSTEM.

1. The Planet Mercury. its period. — Elongations. — Transits. — Mountains. — Intensity of light. — Temperature. — Magnitude and population. — Rate of motion. — Mass and density. — Eccentricity of orbit, &c. 65-73

2. The Planet Venus.

Form of the planetary orbits. — Explanation of astronomical terms. — General appearance, phases, and apparent motions of Venus. — May be seen at its superior conjunction. — Observations on in the daytime — Discoveries on by the telescope.—

Vlll CONTENTS.

Views of by Cassini, Bianchini, Maraldi, Schroeter, and others, — Its mountains and atmosphere. — Its supposed satellite. — Its transits.— Extent of surface.— Quantity of light.— Temperature.— Distance.— Rate of motion, density, &c. Page 73-104

3. The Earth considered as a Planet, Its spheroidal figure, and how ascertained General aspect of its surface. — Appearance if viewed from the moon.— Its internal structure and density. — Its variety of seasons- -General reflections on. — Its tropical and siderial year , and various other particulars , 104-124

4. The Planet Mars.

Peculiar phenomena of the superior planets- Conjunctions, op« positions, and phases of Mars. — Distance, motion, apparent diameter, and extent of its orbit. — Telescopic views of its surface. — Its atmosphere. — Conclusions respecting its physical constitution.— Its superficial contents. — Proportion of light. — Whether it have a secondary attendant, &c, . 124-141

5. The Planets Vesta, Juno, Ceres, and Pallas. History of their discovery. — Notice of Dr. Olbers. — Magnitude, distances, periods, and other phenomena of these planets. — Their peculiarities. — Inclination and eccentricity of orbits, &c, &c. — Conclusions respecting the nature of these planets. — Remarks in reference to the Divine government. — Meteoric phenomena. — Details of meteoric showers, with remarks. — Moral reflections, &c 141-167

6. The Planet Jupiter.

Its distance. — Diurnal rotation. — Centrifugal force. — Density. — Magnitude, and capacity for population.— Discoveries made on its surface by means of the telescope. — Its belts, their changes and general phenomena. — Opinions respecting their nature.— Its permanent spots. — Its peculiar splendour. — Its seasons, atmosphere, proportion of light, spheroidal figure, arc of retrogradation, &c. . . . . . 167-181

7. The Planet Saturn.

Its distance. — Period of revolution and proportion of light. — Discoveries on its surface by means of the telescope. — Magnitude and extent. — Its density. — Gravitating power of the planets, &c, &c 181-188

8. Rings of Saturn.

History of their discovery. — Their dimensions. — Rotation. — Arc eccentric. — Their superficial contents and vast extent illustrated. — Display the grandeur of the Creator.— Their appear-

CONTENTS. IX

ance from the surface of Saturn. — Their diversified phenom •ena. — Firmament of Saturn described. — Uses of the rings. — Different aspects of the rings as viewed through telescopes

9. The Planet Xlranus.

History of its discovery.— Its distance. — Circumference of its orbit. — Its period of revolution. — Its magnitude and dimensions. — Its proportion of light. — Its temperature. — Nature of caloric, &c. . . . . . . . . 206-215

Whether any other planets exist within the limits of our system, and how they may be discovered .... 215-217

10. The Sun, Its apparent diurnal motion as viewed from different positions on the globe. — Its annual motion. — Its distance. — Its magnitude particularly illustrated, with reflections. — Its rotation. — Phenomena of its spots particularly described. — Their variety and changes. — Opinions respecting them. — Deductions respecting the nature and constitution of the sun. — Amazing operations going forward on its surface. — The extent of its surface compared with the view from Mount Etna. — Displays the grandear of the Deity. — Whether it be inhabited. — Its beneficial influence on our globe. — Its effect on the weather. — Its motion in space.— Zodiacal light . . 217-246

Chapter IV. On The Secondary Planets

i, The Moon.— Its apparent motions and phases.— Rotation.— Opacity. — Distance. — Variety of mountains. — Caverns. — Volcanoes. — Telescopic views of. — Atmosphere. — Magnitude. —Inhabitants. — Pretended discoveries on.— Beneficial influence, &c 246-276

2. The Satellites of Jupiter. — Their discovery. — Revolutions. — Eclipses. — Magnitudes. — Diversity of phenomena. — Longitude.— Motion of light 276-283

3. Satellites of Saturn. — History of their discovery. — Revolutions and assumed magnitudes. — Appearance from Saturn 281-283

4. Satellites of Uranus. — Their motions. — Distances. — Assumed magnitudes and peculiarities 288-290

Chapter V. On The Perfections Of The Deity, As Displayed In The Planetary System

Grand object of astronomy. — Omnipotence of the Deity. — Displayed m the magnitudes and motions of the sun andplaneta.—

% CONTENTS.

His wisdom illustrated in various particulars.~-.fcLs boundless beneficence Page 291-305

Chapter VI. Summary View Of The Planetary System

Superflces, solidity, comparative magnitudes and distances of the sun, earth, planets, satellites, and rings of Saturn . 305-31©

Chapter VII

ON THE METHOD BY WHICH THE DISTANCES AND MAGNI- TUDES OF THE HEAVENLY BODIES ARE DETERMINED.

Popular methods illustrated. — Law of shadows. — Eclipses.— Trigonometrical definitions. — Parallaxes. — Triangles. — Mode of calculating the distance and diameter of the moon. — General remarks 310-329

Chapter VIII

*>N THE SCENERY OF THE HEAVENS AS VIEWED FROM THB SURFACES OF THE DIFFERENT PLANETS AND THEIR SAT ELLITES.

General remarks on celestial scenery. — Scenery of the heavens from Mercury. — Venus.— Mars. — The new planets. — Jupiter. — Saturn. — Uranus. — Rings of Saturn. — Celestial scenery of the moon, — Appearance of the earth from. — Lunar astronomy. — Scenery from the satellites of Jupiter.— Of Saturn. — And o! Uranus. — Various views of these scenes. — General observations 329-364

Chapter IX

ON THE DOCTRINE OF A PLURALITY OF WORLDS, WITH AN ILLUSTRATION OF SOME OF THE ARGUMENTS BY WHICH IT MAY BE SUPPORTED.

First argument illustrated 365-369

Second argument 369-376

Third argument 376-382

Application of the preceding arguments . . . 383-387

Fourth argument 387-389

Fifth argument 389-397

Summary— concluding reflections .... 397-398

Appendix

Descriptions of Celestial Phenomena, and of the Posi tions and Aspects of all the Planets during the Years 1838 and 1839 399-408

LIST OF ENGRAVINGS.

Figure Pag*

1. Ursa Major, Ursa Minor, and the pole-star . . 24

2. Ursa Major in a different position .... 26

3. Ursa Major above the pole-star .... 27

4. Ursa Minor in four different positions with respect

to the pole . . . . . . . 28

5. Representation of the solar system ... 51

6. Diagram illustrating the conjunction of Mercury

and Venus 57

7. Diagram exhibiting the apparent motion of Mercury

as seen from the earth 61

8. Comparative view of the apparent bulk of the sun

as viewed from Mercury and from the earth . 69

9. Figure of the planetary orbits .... 75

10. Diagram illustrating the inclination of the planetary

orbits to the plane of the ecliptic ... 77

11. Illustration of the superior and inferior conjunctions

of Venus 79

12. Figure illustrative of the phases of Venus ... 81

13. 14. Mode of viewing Venus at its superior conjunc-

tion ,86

15-18. Four telescopic views of Venus by Cassini . 88

19. Telescopic view of Venus by Bianchini ... 90

20, 21. Views of Venus by Schroeter .... 92 22. Nos. 1 and 2. View of Venus by the Author . . 94

22. No. 3. View illustrating Montaigne's observations

on the supposed satellite of Venus . . 97

23. Figures illustrating the transit of Venus . . 100

24. Comparative size of the sun as viewed from Venus

and from the earth 103

25. 26. Two views of the earth as seen from the moon 112 27, 28. Diagram illustrative of the inclination of the

earth's axis to the plane of the ecliptic . . 117

29. Representation of the seasons 118

30. Figure representing the obliquity of the sun's rays 120

31. Figure illustrative of the relation of the earth and

Mars 125

32. Figure illustrative of the relation of the earth and

Saturn . . 12ft

CELESTIAL SCENERY,

Introduction

Astronomy is that department of knowledge wtiich has fof Oft object to investigate the motions, the magnitudes, and dis* tances of the heavenly bodies ; the laws by which their movements are directed, and the ends they are intended to subserve in the fabric of the universe. This is a science which has in all ages engaged the attention of the poet, the philosopher, and the divine, and been the subject of their study -and admiration. Kings have descended from their thrones to render it homage, and have sometimes enriched it with their labours ; and humble shepherds, while watching their Bocks by night, have beheld with rapture the blue vault of heaven, with its thousand shining orbs, moving in silent grandeur, till the morning star announced the approach of day. The study of this science must have been coeval with the existence of man ; for there is no rational being who has for the first time lifted his eyes to the nocturnal sky, and beheld the moon walking in brightness amid the planetary orbs and the host of stars, but must have been struck with admiration and wonder at the splendid scene, and excited to inquiries into the nature and destination of those far-distant orbs. Compared with the splendour, the amplitude, the august motions, and the ideas of infinity which the celestial vault presents, the most resplendent terrestrial scenes sink into inanity, and appear unworthy of being set in competition with the glorie? of the sky.

When, on a clear autumnal evening, after sunset, we take a serious and attentive view of the celestial canopy ; when we behold the moon displaying her brilliant crescent hi the western sky ; the evening star gilding the shades of night ; th«

14 INTROBIJCTSOK.

planets moving in their several orbs ;, the stars,, one s£ter art*- other, emerging from the blue ethereal,, and gradually lighting up the firmament till it appears all over spangled with a brilliant assemblage of shining orbs ; and particularly when we behold one cluster of stars gradually descending below the western horizon, and other clusters emerging from the east f . and ascending, in unison, the canopy of heaven ;. when we contemplate the whole celestial vault, with all the shining orbs it contains, moving in- silent grandeur, like one vast concave? sphere, around this lower world and the place on which we stand- — such a scene naturally leads a reflecting mind to such inquiries as these : Whence come those stars which are ascending from the east 1 Whither have those gone which have disappeared in the west 1 What becomes of the stars during the day which are seen in the night 1 Is the motion which appears in the celestial vault real, or does- a motion in the earth itself cause this appearance 1 What are those immense numbers of shining orbs which appear in every part of the sky 1 Are they mere studs or tapers fixed in the arch of heaven, or are they bodies of immense size and splendour 1 Do they shine with borrowed light, or with their own native lustre 1 Are they placed only a few miles above the region of the clouds, or at immense distances, beyond the range of human comprehension 1 Can their distance be ascertained ! Can their bulk be computed 1 By what laws are their mentions regulated 1 and what purposes are they destined to subserve in the great plan of the universe T These, and similar questions, it is the great object of astronomy to resolve, in so far as the human mind has been enabled to prosecute the path of discovery.

For a long period, during the infancy of science, comparatively little was known of the heavenly bodies, excepting theii apparent motions and aspects. Instead of investigating with care their true motions, and relative distances and magnitudes,, many of our ancestors looked up to the sky either with a brute unconscious gaze, or viewed the heavens as the book of fate m which they might read their future fortunes, and learn, frona the signs of the zodiac, and the conjunctions and other aspects of the planets,, the temperaments and destinies of men and the fate of empires. And even to this day, in many countries, the fallacious art of prognosticating fortunes by the stars is one of the chief uses t© which the science of the heavens

INTRODUCTION. 15

is applied. In the ages to which I allude, the world in which we dwell was considered as the largest body in the universe. It was supposed to be an immense plane, diversified with a few inequalities, and stretching in every direction to an indefinite extent. How the sun penetrated or surmounted this immense mass of matter every morning, and what became of him m the evening-^-whether, as the poets assert, he extinguished himself in the western ocean, and was again lighted up in the eastern sky in the morning — many of them cculd not determine. Below this mass of matter we call the earth, it was conceived that nothing but darkness and empty space, or the regions of Tartarus, could exist. The stars which gild the concave of the firmament above were considered only as so many bright studs fixed in a crystalline sphere, which carried them round every day to emit a few glimmering rays, and to adorn the ceiling of our terrestrial habitation. Above the visible firmament of heaven, and far beyond the ken of mortal eye, the Deity was supposed to have fixed his special residence, among myriads of superior intelligences. The happiness, the preservation, and the moral government of the human race were supposed to be the chief business and object of the Deity, to which all his decrees in eternity past, and all his arrangements in relation to eternity to come, had a special and almost exclusive reference. Such ideas are still to be found, even in the writings of Christian divines, at a period no farther back than the sixteenth century.

To hazard the opinion that the plans of the Almighty embraced a much more extensive range — that other beings, analogous to men, inhabited the planetary or the starry orbs, and that such beings form by far the greater part of the population of the universe — would have been considered a heresy in religion, and would probably have subjected some of those who embraced it to the anathemas of the church, as hap* pened to Spigelius, bishop of Upsal, for defending the doctrine of the antipodes, and to Galileo, the philosopher of Tuscany, for asserting the motion of the earth. The ignorance, the intolerance, and the contracted views to which I allude, are, however, now, in a great measure, dissipated. The light of science has arisen, and shed its benign influence on the world. It has dispelled the darkness of former ages, extended our prospects of the grandeur and magnificence of the scene ©f creation, and, in conjunction with the discoveries of revela-

16 INTRODUCTION.

tion, has opened new views of the perfections and morai government of the Almighty. In the progress of astronomical science, the distances and magnitudes of many of the celestial bodies began to be pretty nearly ascertained ; and the invention of the telescope enabled the astronomer to extend his views into regions far beyond the limits of the unassisted eye, and to discover myriads of magnificent globes formerly hid in the unexplored regions of immensity. The planetary orbs w ere found to bear a certain resemblance to the earth, having spots and dark streaks of different shades upon their surfaces ; and it was not long in being discovered that, notwithstanding their apparent brilliancy, they are, in reality, opaque globes, which derive all their light and lustre from the sun. The planet Venus, in different parts of its orbit, was observed to exhibit a gibbous phase, and the form of a crescent similar to the moon, plainly indicating that it is a dark globe, enlightened only on one side by the rays of the sun. The moon was perceived to be diversified with hills and valleys, caverns, rocks, and plains, and ranges of mountains of every shape, but arranged in a manner altogether different from what takes place in our sublunary sphere. The sun, which was generally supposed to be a ball of liquid fire, was found to be sometimes covered with large dark spots, some of them exceeding in size the whole surface of the terraqueous globe, and giving indications, by their frequent changes and disappearance, of vast operations being carried on upon the surface and in the interior of that magnificent luminary. Hundreds of stars were descried where scarcely one could be perceived by a common observer ; and as the powers of the telescope were increased, thousands more were brought to view, extending in even* direction, from the limits of unassisted vision throughout the boundless extent of space.

It is natural for an intelligent observer of the universe to inquire into the final causes of the various objects which exist around him . "When he beholds the celestial regions filled w lb. bodies of an immense size, arranged in beautiful and harmonious order, and performing their various revolutions with regularity and precision, the natural inquiry is, For what end has the Deity thus exerted his wisdom and omnipotence ! What is the ultimate destination of those huge globes which appear in the spaces of the firmament 1 Are these vast masses of matter suspended in the vault of heaven merely to diversify

INTRODUCTION. 17

fche Toids of infinite space, or to gratify a few hundreds of terrestrial astronomers in peeping at them through their glasses l Is the Almighty to be considered as taking pleasure in beholding a number of splendid lamps, hung up throughout the wilds of immensity, which have no relation to the accommodation and happiness of intelligent minds 1 Has he no end in view corresponding to the magnificence and grandeur of the means he has employed I Or, are we to conclude that his wisdom and goodness are no less conspicuously displayed than his omnipotence in peopling those vast bodies with myriads of intelligent existences of various orders, to share in his beneficence and to adore his perfections \ This last deduction is the only one which appears compatible with any rational ideas we can entertain of the wisdom and intelligence of the Eternal Mind, and the principles of the Divine government.

This opinion is now very generally entertained by those who have turned their attention to the subject. But it is frequently admitted on grounds that are too general and vague ; on the authority of men of science, or on the mere ground that the planets and stars are bodies of immense size ; and hence it is only considered as a probable opinion, and a thorough conviction of its truth is seldom produced in the mind.

In the following work it shall be our endeavour to show that the arguments which may be brought forward to establish the doctrine of a plurality of worlds have all the force of a moral demonstration ; that they throw a lustre on the perfections of the Divinity ; and that the opposite opinion is utterly inconsistent with every idea we ought to entertain of an All-wise and Omnipotent Intelligence.

In order to the full illustration of this subject, it will be necessary to take a pretty minute and comprehensive view of all the known facts in relation to the heavenly bodies ; and while these facts will be made to bear upon the object now proposed, they will likewise tend to exhibit the scenery of the heavens, and to elucidate many of the prominent truths and principles connected with descriptive astronomy. In the progress of our discussions, we shall descend into many minute particulars which are generally overlooked by writers on the subject of astronomy, and shall introduce several original observations and views on this subject which have not hitherto Deen particularly detailed

18 GENERAL APPEARANCE OF THE HEAVENS.

Chapter I. On The General Appearance And Apparent Motions Of The Starry Heavens

Before proceeding to a particular description of the real magnitudes, motions, and phenomena of the heavenly bodies, it may not be improper to take a brief survey of the general appearance and apparent motions of the celestial vault, as they present themselves to the eye of a common observer.

It is of importance to every one who wishes to acquire a clear idea of the principles of astronomy and the phenomena of the heavens, that he contemplate with his own eyes the apparent aspects and revolutions of the celestial bodies before he proceeds to an investigation of the real motions, phenomena, and arrangements which the discoveries of science have led us to deduce. From want of attention to this circumstance, there are thousands of smatterers in the science of astronomy who never acquire any clear or comprehensive ideas on this subject ; and who, instead of clearly perceiving the relations of the heavenly orbs from their own observation, rely chiefly on the assertions of their instructers, or the vague descriptions to be found in elementary books. It is amazing how many intelligent men there are among us who would not wish to be considered altogether ignorant of modern astronomy, yet have never looked up to the celestial vault with fixed attention ; have never made repeated observations to discover its phenomena ; and cannot tell, from their own survey, what are the various motions it exhibits. There are thousands and ten thousands who have gazed on a clear evening sky, at certain intervals, during a period of many years, yet can tell no more about the glorious scene around them than that they behold a number of shining points twinkling in every direction in the canopy above. Whether these bodies shift their positions with regard to each other, or remain at the same relative distances ; whether any of them appear in motion, while others appear at rest ; whether the whole celestial canopy appears to stand still, or is carried round with some general motion 5

APATHY OF MANKIND ON THIS SUBJECT. 19

whether all the stars which are seen at six o'clock in the evening are also visible at twelve at midnight ; whether the stars rise and set, as the sun and moon appear to do ; whether they rise in. the east, or northeast, or in any other quarter ; whether some rise and set regularly, while others never descend below the horizon ; whether any particular stars are occasionally moving backward or forward, and in what parts of the heavens they appear ; whether there are stars in our sky in the daytime as well as during night ; whether the same clusters of stars are to be seen in summer as in winter 1 To these and similar questions there are multitudes who have received a regular education, and are members of a Christian church, who could give no satisfactory answers. And yet almost every one of these inquiries could be satisfactorily answered, in the course of a few evenings, by any man of common understanding who directed his attention for a few hours to the subject, and that, too, without the knowledge of a single scientific principle. He has only to open his eyes, and to make a proper use of them ; to fix his attention on the objects before him ; to make one observation after another, and compare them to gether; and to consider that "the works of the Lord are great" and that they ought "to be sought out (or seriously investigated) by all those who have pleasure therein."

If this representation be admitted as just, what a striking idea does it present of the apathy and indifference of the greater part of mankind in regard to the most astonishing and magnificent display which the Creator has given of himself m his works ! Had we an adequate conception of all thescenes of grandeur, and the displays of intelligence and omnipotent power, which a serious contemplation of a starry sky is calculated to convey, all the kingdoms of this world would sink into comparative insignificance, and all their pomp and splendour appear as empty as the bubbles of the deep. It- is amazing that Christians, in particular, should, in so many instances, oe found overlooking such striking displays of Divine perfection as the firmament opens to our view, as if the most august works of the Creator, and the most striking demonstration of his " eternal power and godhead," were unworthy of their regard ; while we are commanded, in scripture, to " lift up our eyes on high, and consider Him who hath created these oros, who bringeth forth their hosts by number," and who guides them in aJl their motions " by the greatness of hia

20 CAUSES OF THIS APATHY.

strength." " The heavens," says the psalmist, " declare toe glory of the Lord, and the firmament showeth his handiwork." Though these luminaries "have no speech nor language," though " their voice is not heard" in articulate sounds, yet, as they move along in silent grandeur, they declare to every reflecting beholder that "the hand that made them is D : - vine."