Those of the moon demonstrated that the shadow of the earth is always circular.

The form of the earth must therefore be globular.
A body which in all positions casts a circular shadow must itself be spherical.

Other considerations, with which every one is now familiar, could not fail to establish that such is her figure.
But the determination of the shape of the earth by no means deposed her from her position of superiority.

Apparently vastly larger than all other things, it was fitting that she should be considered not merely as the centre of the world, but, in truth, as--the world.

All other objects in their aggregate seemed utterly unimportant in comparison with her.
Though the consequences flowing from an admission of the globular figure of the earth affected very profoundly existing theological ideas, they were of much less moment than those depending on a determination of her size.