Theron and Aspasio (Volume 3); Or a Series of Dialogues and Letters

Book may have numerous typos, missing text, images, or index. Purchasers can download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. 1789. Excerpt: ... needsul Operation. And, what is far more surprising, never misleads them, either into erroneous Principles, or pernicious Practices: never fails them, in the nicest or most arduous of their Undertakings *. Can you have Patience to follow me, if I step into a disferent Element, and just visit the watery World?--Not one among the innumerable Myriads, which swim the boundless Ocean, but is watched over by that exalted Eye, whose Smiles irradiate the Heaven of Heavens. Not one, but is supported by that Almighty Hand, which crowns Angels and Archangels with Glory.--The condescending GOD, has not only created, but beautified them. He has given the most exact Proportion to their Shape, and the gayest Colours to their Apparel; a polished Smoothness to their Scales, and a remarkable Sleekness to their Skin. The Eyes of some are surrounded with a scarlet Circle; the Back of others is diversified with crimson Stains. View them, when they glance along the Stream, or while they are fresh from their native Brine; and the burnished Silver is not more bright, the radiant Rainbow is scarce more glowing, than their vivid, glistering, glossy Hues. Yet, notwithstanding the Finery of their Apparel, We are under painsul Apprehensions for their Welfare.--How can the poor Creatures live, amidst the suffocating Waters ?--As they have neither Hands, nor Feet, nor Wings, how can they tranfact In bis, fays Pliny, speaking of Insects, tarn parvis at que nullis, qua Ratio, quanta Pis, quam inextricabilis Per/eaio! tranfact their Affairs, or how escape their Enemies? --We are soon freed from our Fears by observing, that they all possess the beneficial, as well as ornamental Furniture of Fins. These, when expanded, like Masts above, and Ballast below, poise their floating Bodies, and keep them steadily upr...