CREATION BY LAW. 277 



the stones and pebbles and gravel, that would other- 

 wise block up its course. In every part of this system 

 he would see exact adaptation of means to an end. 

 He would say, that this system of channels must have 

 been designed, it answers its purpose so effectually. 

 Nothing but a mind could have so exactly adapted 

 the slopes of the channels, their capacity, and fre- 

 quency, to the nature of the soil and the quantity of 

 the rainfall. Again, he would see special adaptation 

 to the wants of man, in broad quiet navigable rivers 

 flowing through fertile plains that support a large 

 population, while the rocky streams and mountain 

 torrents, were confined to those sterile regions suit- 

 able only for a small population of shepherds and 

 herdsmen. He would listen with incredulity to the 

 Geologist, who assured him, that the adaptation and 

 adjustment he so admired was an inevitable result of 

 the action of general laws. That the rains and rivers, 

 aided by subterranean forces, had modelled the country, 

 had formed the hills and valleys, had scooped out the 

 river beds, and levelled the plains ; and it would only 

 be after much patient observation and study, after 

 having watched the minute changes produced year 

 by year, and multiplying them by thousands and ten 

 thousands, after visiting the various regions of the 

 earth and seeing the changes everywhere going on, 

 and the unmistakable signs of greater changes in past 

 times, that he could be made to understand that 

 the surface of the earth, however beautiful and har- 

 monious it may appear, is strictly due in every detail 



