A splash of the Milky Way from Concordia Camp in Pakistan’s Karakoram Range. Thomas Wright was the first astronomer to postulate that the river-like appearance of the Milky Way was “an optical effect due to our immersion in what locally approximates to a flat layer of stars”, a theory that fellow-astronomer William Herschel subsequently confirmed. Wright also speculated that many faint nebulæ were themselves far-distant galaxies, a guess for which he had to suffer much sniggering. “An air of knowledge,” mused Wright, contrasting it with real expertise, “generally leads people, who have no real foundation for their judgment to argue from, to ridicule what they are too sensible they do not understand.” Edwin Hubble proved him right about the nebulæ (and his critics) in 1924.
Introduction
Astronomer Thomas Wright approached his subject not only with passion but also with reverence. In a preface to his collection of nine ‘Letters’, in which he discussed fifteen years of observations, he told his unnamed correspondent that in common with many heroes of science and literature, he had found his religious belief deepened by studying the stars.
I REMEMBER you have often told me, that to apply ourselves to the Study of Nature, was the surest and readiest Way to come at any tolerable Knowledge of ourselves, however difficult the Task might prove either in the Attempt, or the attaining it, and the less to be neglected, as it never fails to introduce a proper Knowledge of the Divine Being, as a certain Consequence along with it, and such a Knowledge, as will naturally make every Man, who has but a tolerable Share of common Sense, and is not a Slave to another’s Reason, without any other Evidence or Motive, in all Stations, and under all Circumstances, Act justly, Live cheerfully, and die full of Hope in the Expectation of a happy Sequel, in Futurity.
Eternity is written in the Skies:
Mankind’s Eternity, nor Faith alone;
Virtue grows there.*
From ‘An Original Theory or New Hypothesis of the Universe’ (1750) by Thomas Wright (1711-1786). The extract comes from Letter VIII. Slightly emended to split it into two parts.
* Adapted from The Complaint: or Night-thoughts on Life, Death, and Immortality (1742) by Edward Young (1683-1765):
Eternity is written in the skies.
And whose eternity? — Lorenzo! thine;
Mankind's eternity. Nor faith alone,
Virtue grows here; here springs the sovereign cure
Of almost every vice, but chiefly thine.
Wrath, pride, ambition, and impure desire.
Questions for Critics
1. What is the author aiming to achieve in writing this?
2. Note any words, devices or turns of phrase that strike you. How do they help the author communicate his ideas more effectively?
3. What impression does this passage make on you? How might you put that impression into words?
Based on The English Critic (1939) by NL Clay, drawing on The New Criticism: A Lecture Delivered at Columbia University, March 9, 1910, by J. E. Spingarn, Professor of Comparative Literature in Columbia University, USA.
Précis
Astronomer Thomas Wright thanked a correspondent for having encouraged him to think that astronomy develops not only self-knwledge, but a knowledge of God. Provided that we resolve always to think for ourselves, he wrote, the encounter with the vastness of eternity not only strengthens belief, it nurtures a sense of perspective that is morally improving too. (56 / 60 words)
Astronomer Thomas Wright thanked a correspondent for having encouraged him to think that astronomy develops not only self-knwledge, but a knowledge of God. Provided that we resolve always to think for ourselves, he wrote, the encounter with the vastness of eternity not only strengthens belief, it nurtures a sense of perspective that is morally improving too.
Variations: 1.increase the length of this precis to exactly 60 words. 2.reduce the length of this precis to exactly 50 words. 3.introduce one of the following words into the precis: because, must, or, otherwise, ought, until, whereas, who.
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Word Games
Spinners Find in Think and Speak
For each group of words, compose a sentence that uses all three. You can use any form of the word: for example, cat → cats, go → went, or quick → quickly, though neigh → neighbour is stretching it a bit.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1 Any. Apply. Ourselves.
2 All. Sense. Sequel.
3 Attempt. Might. Way.
Variations: 1. include direct and indirect speech 2. include one or more of these words: although, because, despite, either/or, if, unless, until, when, whether, which, who 3. use negatives (not, isn’t, neither/nor, never, nobody etc.)
Homonyms Find in Think and Speak
Each of the words below has more than one possible meaning. Compose your own sentences to show what those different meanings are.
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1. Man. 2. Just. 3. Live. 4. Cheer.
Verb and Noun Find in Think and Speak
Many words can serve as noun or verb depending on context: see if you can prove this with the examples below. Nouns go well with words such as the/a, or his/her; verbs go well after I/you/he etc..
This exercise uses words found in the accompanying passage.
1 Share. 2 Attempt. 3 Study. 4 Fail. 5 Cheer. 6 Hope. 7 Reason. 8 Act. 9 Make.
Variations: 1.if possible, use your noun in the plural, e.g. cat → cats. 2.use your verb in a past form, e.g. go → went. 3.use your noun in a sentence with one of these words: any, enough, fewer, less, no, some.
Add Vowels Find in Think and Speak
Make words by adding vowels to each group of consonants below. You may add as many vowels as you like before, between or after the consonants, but you may not add any consonants or change the order of those you have been given. See if you can beat our target of common words.
hrd (7+1)
hard. hared. heard. herd. hired. hoard. horde.
hairdo.
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