230 POSSIBLE STABILITY OF CLUSTERS. one fixed period, the shecute stability of the cluster would be provided for, and that through all ages it might remain unaltered in form. A similar conception prevallad with M. Kosor, who attempted to realize it in the case of annular groups which-ke that of LYRA, as previously known to us (Fig. 1. Plate IX.)-exhibit a simple and ramlar outline. The stars in such a ring would be permanently attached to the middle of the ring: so that any orb at one edge of it would move towands that line, its velocity increasing until it reached it; when-oring to that sequined velocity—it would cross the centre, and actione in modic until arriving at the ring's appoxi els fa viith it would again ntum, and so otra oslating fe ever. Suppose now that the star had an mezzi midia also; then wall is aux le ding the waving the below;—so ABSOLUTE PERMANENCE NOWHERE VISIBLE. 231 perfect appreciation of schemes of mechanism so immense and complex, how harmony may endure through very varied evolutions, and arrangements for order and stability analogous to those, which, within our own unpretending planetary system, so greatly delight the eye. But in regard to their main aim-the demonstration, viz., of absolute permanence they are not of importance; inasmuch as the regular forms of which they treat have no existence in nature. Sir JOHN HERSCHEL'S idea might explain how a nebula like the upper figure in Plate V. could be endowed with perfect stability; but to clearer insight, that cluster appears as the irregular form below it. So also of MoSOTTI's annulus. The ring of LYRA, so simple and perfect in the field of a small telescope, is in reality the jagged and complex form of Fig. 1, Plate X. Nor do we find anywhere, that appearance of completeness or of geometrical simplicity among these Nebula, which alone could justify our supposing them, final results of pure dynamical laws. And besides, the notion of a steady cyclical recurrence of any class of phenomena, is not supported by adequate analogies. Around us there certainly lie on every side, stabilities of every order; but it is stability only that we see, not absolute permanence: for as our vision enlarges, every system that first appeared final and complete, invariably resolves itself into a step or phase of a still loftier progress. Look at our world as it wheels 232 NO CYCLICAL RECURRENCE. around the sun, moving quietly along its courses of seasons, and unfolding as their accompaniments its succession of life and death. If aught of those larger appearances which are open to our close inspection, could appear stable, surely it is that: for as it rolls on, the sun shines on it, through every year the same, and affects it with the same varieties of light and heat. Yet note its interior history! No regular cycles are there, but a mysterious growth and evolution of races, insomuch that at different epochs our world has been fancied to have become new. Nor can its orbit even, be deemed permanent. It belongs to that part of our planetary system which has provision for the longest life. It is connected with that portion of it which seemed framed to rise above every perturbation, and to pass through the ages, stamped with capability for eternity; but suddenly a comet came with extraordinary tidings, informing us of an ETHER, through whose persistent influence all such arrangements must close. Indeed, the absolute path of the car of being is everywhere along a complex curve, although definable through all its windings; while man, because his experience is drawn only from the smallest portion of its course, believes too often that the line is straight seeing neither its anterior nor its posterior convolutions. II. The illustrious founder of modern sidereal |