AN

ATTEMPT

EARTH

OBSERVATIONS.

Whether the Earth moves or stands still has been a problem that, since Copernicus Nicolaus Copernicus (1473–1543) was the astronomer who proposed the heliocentric model, suggesting that the Earth and other planets revolve around the Sun. revived it, has much occupied the minds original: "Wits" of our best modern astronomers and philosophers. Among these, however, there has not been any one who has found a certain proof original: "manifestation" of either one doctrine or the other. The more knowledgeable and discerning have, for many plausible reasons, adhered to the Copernican hypothesis; but most others, either out of ignorance or prejudice, have rejected it as a most absurd original: "extravagant" opinion. To those, indeed, who do not understand the grounds and principles of astronomy, the prejudice of everyday talk original: "common converse"