If we show that something which hitherto
existed only in a dream, or in the imagina-
tion of the enthusiastic, can appear attaina-
ble and real ; but has only such impediments
as arise from inability to render perfect cer-
tain known mechanical powers, and to move
from one place to another with sufficicnf
rapidity ; I say that, when we have shown
this, the question is transferred from the
jurisdiction of dreams and enthusiasm to
the jurisdiction of that species of possibil-
ity which does not contradict the laws



iiMP^h, Google



AND THR EARTH. 27

of thought. For example : the question
whether there is such a bird as the phceulx,
belongs to the dominion of dreams and
folly. But, I say, if, Hupposing it were
possible for us to prove that this bird actu-
ally were living in the centre of the earth,
or below the depths of the ocean ; and if
this evidence were perfectly accurate, lucid,
and irrefutable, then indeed It would still be
impossible for us to see this bird with our
bodily eyes ; but now that the impediments
which oppose the realization of the sight
are clearly and intelligibly demonstrated, we
may proceed to our purpose of contriving
mechanical means to overcome them in the
present instance.
