earth. Think of this: the science of nature is so vast that the
least of its departments suffices to absorb one human lifetime. All our
sciences are only in their very beginning; they are spelling out the
first lines of an immense book. The elements of the universe are
numberless; and yet, notwithstanding, all hangs together; all things are
linked one to another in the closest connection. The _savants_ therefore
find themselves in a strange embarrassment. They are obliged to
circumscribe more and more the field of their researches, on pain of
losing themselves in an endless study; and, on the other hand, in
proportion as science advances, the mutual relation of all its branches
becomes so manifest that it is ever more and more clearly seen that, in
order to know any one thing thoroughly, it would be necessary to know
all. It needs not that we seek very high or very far away for occasions
of astonishment: the least of the objects which nature presents to our
view contains abysses of wisdom.

The acquired results of science appear simple through the effect of
habit. The sun rises every day; who is still surprised at its rising?
The solar system has been known a long while; it is taught in the
humblest schools, and no longer surprises any one. But those who found
out, after long efforts, what we learn without trouble, the discoverers,
reckoned their discoveries very surprising. Kepler, one of the founders
of modern astronomy, in the book to which he consigned his immortal
discoveries, exclaims:[97] "The wisdom of the Lord is infinite, as are
also His glory and His power. Ye heavens! sing His praises. Sun, moon,
and planets, glorify Him in your ineffable language! Praise Him,
celestial harmonies, and all ye who can comprehend them! And thou, my
soul, praise thy Creator! It is by Him, and in Him, that all exists.
What we know not is contained in Him as well as our vain science. To Him
be praise, honor, and glory for ever and ever!" These words, Gentlemen,
have not been copied from a book of the Church; they are read in a work
which, as all allow, is one of the foundations of modern science.

I pass on to another example, and I continue to keep you in good and
high company. Newton set forth his discoveries in a large volume all
bristling with figures and calculations.[98] The work of the
mathematician ended, the author rises, by the consideration of the
mutual interchange of the light of all the stars, to the idea of the
uni