and, all that can be obtained in either of them, is the gratification of the fancy, or the play of invention. The neptunian and plutonian geologies may here securely contend, in ceaseless equality, for the truth of their respective alchymical systems; for, both being equally false in principle, neither can ever become vanquished by the other. But, can we seriously contemplate this interminable contest to dogmatise concerning the first formations of this globe by secondary agencies, without hearing the "VOICE which spoke out of the 66 66 whirlwind, and said: Who is this that DARK ENETH COUNSEL BY WORDS WITHOUT KNOW "LEDGE? Gird up thy loins like a man; for I will "demand of Thee, and answer Thou ME. Where "wast Thou when I laid the foundations of the "earth? Declare, if Thou hast understanding. 66 66 Whereupon are the foundations thereof fastened? or, WHO laid the corner-stone thereof?-Knowest "Thou it, because Thou wast then born? or, because "the number of Thy days is great1?" Whereas, if we will take the contrary direction and ascend with Newton; we shall make the nearest approach that the light of unaided reason can make, to the TRUTH of the MODE of first formations in all the THREE kingdoms of terrestrial matter: as will be fully demonstrated in the NEXT PART. 1 Job, xxxviii. 1. END OF PART I. A COMPARATIVE ESTIMATE, &c. PART II. OF THE MODE OF THE FIRST FORMATIONS OF THE EARTH, ACCORDING TO THE MOSAICAL GEOLOGY. CHAPTER I. IT has been sufficiently shewn in the preceding Part, that the root or chaotic principle of the Mineral Geology cannot endure the test of the reformed philosophy of Newton to which it appealed. It will hardly expect, that we should enter into any argument to prove that Newton is right; before we infer absolutely, from that failure, that its own conclusions are wrong. Since it has admitted the authority of his philosophy as a test, it must abide by its decision; and the reader will have seen enough in the foregoing discussion to convince him, of the just title which that authority possesses to decide the question at issue; viz. the MODE, by which ALL first formations of this globe were really produced. He will be sensible, that the highest probability to which the energies of unassisted reason can attain in this question, is to be found in that philosophy; and therefore, that it cannot exist at the same time in the opposite philosophy, which it contradicts, refutes, and reprobates. The conclusions of the mineral geology upon this point, are therefore in direct opposition to the highest probability; and therefore, to say the least, they must be in the highest degree improbable. Valuable, however, as the highest probability is, when the certainty of truth cannot be attained; yet, when the mind has once ascended to that eminence of secondary evidence, it experiences an eager yearning to advance still higher, in consequence of the innate appetite for truth which characterises the intellect of man. Let us then inquire, whether this final gratification is absolutely withheld from us; or, whether we may not be able to add to the sentiment of the highest probability, the consummation of positive certainty on this great question. That this can only be supplied by competent and positive history, and that physical induction is utterly incompetent to impart it, is a truth felt, and indirectly avowed, by the mineral geology itself. "Before we proceed to determine causes, (says "the ingenuous M. D'Aubuisson,) let us endea 66 66 vour to make ourselves acquainted with their effects. All the circumstances of the division of |