t of the Moon. That it is an opaque and
solid Body, is visible by the Eclipses of the Sun; for a pellucid
Body could not deprive us of the Light of that glorious Planet. That
the Moon does eclipse the Sun in the same manner as our Earth
eclipses the Moon (as all know it does) makes me conclude these two
Bodies of a Nature, since the like Interposition produces the like
Effect. When I say they are of a Nature, I mean opaque, which to
prove, I argue thus: If this Planet be of it self luminous, it must
appear much brighter when eclips'd in its _perigee_, or nearest
Distance from the Earth, and its Light must be less consequently
when in its _Apogee_, or greatest Distance from it; for the nearer a
luminous Body approaches the Eye, the stronger Impression it makes
upon the Sight. Beside, the Shadow of the Earth, had the Moon any
innate and peculiar Light, cou'd not obscure it, but, on the
contrary, would render it more conspicuous, as is evident to Reason.

"Now Experience shews us, that the Moon appears with the greater
Light eclips'd in its _Apogee_, or greater Distance, and more
obscure when in its _Perigee_, or nearer Distance, consequent has no
peculiar Light of its own. That a Shadow could obscure its inherent
Light, had it any, would be making a Body of a Shadow, which is so
far from being corporeal, that it is nothing but a Deprivation of
the Light of the Sun, by the Interposition of the opaque Body of the
Earth.

"I could give many more Reasons, but to avoid Prolixity, I refer you
to my Memorial, knowing how precious Time is to your Excellency.

"I shall now speak of the principal and constituent Parts of this
Planet; to wit, the Sea, the firm Land; its Extrinsicks, as Meteors,
Seasons, and Inhabitants."

"I find, _said his Excellency_, you have forgot what you promised,
the being concise; you have already couch'd what you are going to
repeat, in Writing. I am satisfied that you have in your Memorial
demonstrated, that the Moon is like ours, a World, and this Earth,
like that, a Planet; I would willingly hear if _Probusomo_ can bring
any Objection of Weight to the undertaking the Journey; for I look
upon the Distance which you have computed to be about 179712
_Lapidians_ (answerable to so many _English_ Miles) to be none at
all, since we have _Cacklogallinians_, who, with Provisions for a
Week, will fly 480 _Lapidians_ a Day, and hold it f