to us in a good telescope, and, possibly, Venus, i.e., a world wrapt in mist, with a projection here and there, and openings in the clouds. A somewhat similar arrangement of clouds I have noticed from the Dartmoor Tors. It is probably common in all mountainous districts.
I find that Fontenelle says of the "inhabitants of Venus," that they would be "loving music, inventing fête-days, dances, and tournaments." It is natural to suppose this lovely planet bright with love and joy; but I have supposed the love of the higher spiritual kind.[1]
The reasons which led me to assume the bird type to be dominant on Venus are the following:—
1. The dense atmosphere of the planet; probably one of the densest and most extensive in the solar system.
2. Its mountainous state, unfit for walking animals. Such mountain regions would be more fitted to bird than mammalian life.
3. Lastly, the apparent suitableness of the lovely bird-type of life to the Queen of Beauty in the heavens, revelling in that glorious blaze of sun-light. In spite of Swedenborg, unless proof were attainable to the contrary, I should like to think the creatures living on the fair evening star to be beautiful and joyous and good.
- ↑ Fontenelle, "Pluralité des Mondes." 1783.
