CHAP. VI - SATURN, THE RINGED WORLD

Summary

If Jupiter by his commanding proportions affords a forceful argument against the view that our tiny earth is the only real world in the solar system, Saturn supplies an argument of scarcely inferior strength in the singularly complex character of the scheme of which he is the centre. No one can contemplate this glorious planet, as shown by a telescope of adequate power, without being impressed by the conviction that he is looking at a world altogether more important in the scheme of creation than the globe on which he lives. Whether he recognises in the present condition of the planet the result of the action of those laws which the Almighty has assigned to His universe, or whether he prefers the view that Saturn and his system are seen now as they were fashioned at the beginning by the Almighty's creative hand, he is alike amazed at the wealth of design exhibited in the scene he is gazing upon. He may not be able, indeed, to appreciate the true character of the purposes which the various parts of the Saturnian system are intended to subserve, or he may, in the rash attempt to solve the mighty problem, be led to erroneous conceptions; but that the great planet is designed for purposes of the noblest sort, he cannot gravely question.