Sciences between Leverrier and Delauny, but, gradually, all the great astronomers of the day have been caught in the vortex. Adams is almost the only astronomer of note that stands by Delauny; Pontecoulant and Plana are leagued with Leverrier in support of the results of Hansen. Delauny has elaborated a theory, by which he shews that the moon's actual motion does not accord with the law of gravitation. Hansen, on the other hand, asserts that his theory is correct, as his tables, adopted by the British Government, accord completely with observation. The precise point is, what is termed, the acceleration of the moon's mean motion, one result of which is, that the moon, in the course of the year, nears the earth by about an inch. Yet on this inch depends the issue of the controversy. Adams and his French associate, hold that these results point clearly to some other cause than the law of gravitation, and M. Faye indicates his new law of repulsion as the true cause to explain the residual phenomenon. Though the controversy has not assumed a national aspect, the temper displayed on both sides ill befits the dignity of science. The comet in the hand of Newton broke through and shivered the crystal spheres of antiquity, and annihilated the vortices of Descartes. Strange if it be destined also to shake the foundations of even his own system. But, after all, Newton himself did not regard the law of gravi-
