flammarion engraving, paris 1888, flammarion s 1888 l atmosphère : météorologie populaire (p. 163)
intelligent being, being capable of responding emotionally beautiful sight, can @ jagged, silvery lunar crescent trembling in azure sky, through weakest of telescopes, , not struck in intensely pleasurable way, not feel cut off everyday life here on earth , transported toward first stop on celestial journeys? thoughtful soul @ brilliant jupiter 4 attendant satellites, or splendid saturn encircled mysterious ring, or double star glowing scarlet , sapphire in infinity of night, , not filled sense of wonder? yes, indeed, if humankind — humble farmers in fields , toiling workers in cities teachers, people of independent means, have reached pinnacle of fame or fortune, frivolous of society women — if knew profound inner pleasure await gaze @ heavens, france, nay, whole of europe, covered telescopes instead of bayonets, thereby promoting universal happiness , peace. — camille flammarion, 1880
end of world occur without noise, without revolution, without cataclysm. tree loses leaves in autumn wind, earth see in succession falling , perishing children, , in eternal winter, envelop on, can no longer hope either new sun or new spring. purge herself of history of worlds. millions or billions of centuries had seen day. detail insignificant in whole of universe. presently earth invisible point among stars, because, @ distance, lost through infinite smallness in vicinity of sun, far small star. in future, when end of things arrive on earth, event pass unperceived in universe. stars continue shine after extinction of our sun, shone before our existence. when there no longer on earth sole concern contemplate, constellations reign again in noise reigned before appearance of man on tiny globule. there stars light shone millions of years before arrived … luminous rays receive departed bosom before time of appearance of man on earth. universe immense appears immutable, , duration of planet such of earth chapter, less that, phrase, less still, word of universe’s history. — camille flammarion, la fin du monde (the end of world)
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