PROCEEDINGS OP PROVINCIAL SOCIETIES. 129 



such as the expansive forces of certain gases and metallic bases. In exhibit- 

 ing a section of the figure of the earth, with reference to its shape, compara- 

 tive insignificance ot its highest mountain ranges, increase of temperature, 

 now ascertained to proceed in a known ratio, in proportion to the distance 

 below the surface, and the fused state of some of the primitive rocks, he in- 

 ferred the probability of the interior of the globe being a mass of incande-i 

 scent matter, in full accordance with the high authorities of the most distin- 



guished philosophers of the present day, who advocate this theory of central 

 eat. By referring to specimens on the table of the gigantic ferns, palms, and 

 other vegetable and animal productions now limited to warmer climates, 

 but found imbedded, not only in the rocks of our latitude, but within the 

 polar regions, he pointed out the certainty of a material change in the tem- 

 perature of this, compared with that of former ages. The lecturer next pro- 

 ceeded to direct the attention of his audience to a series of drawings on a 

 large scale, representing the various gradations of atiimallife, from the sau-? 

 rian or lizard tribes to the winged monsters and singular quadrupeds, which 

 geological investigation had brought to light. He then entered, at some 

 length, into the anatomical and physical peculiarities of each of the fossil 

 remains, explaining in detail the peculiar fitness of their apparently distorted 

 and unnatural construction for the situation in which they were placed ; 

 which at the same time gave him an opportunity of shewing how strongly 

 what might be termed the most trifling facts in science may be brought to 

 bear upon other and more important points, and afford light and informa- 

 tion upon distant and, at first sight, unconnected branches. The reverend 

 gentleman, in conclusion, briefly recapitulated the hints he had thrown out 

 respecting the probable structure of the globe ; and from them inferred, on 

 the joint authorities of revelation and science, its probable termination.- 

 From a tabular view of the appearances of nebulse,- or those misty forms 

 which modern astronomical observations have so abundantly placed before 

 the scientific world, he assumed that, under circumstances by no means im- 

 probable, a similar expansion of its material particles might await our own 

 system. And then, quoting a variety of those striking passages from the 

 scriptures, referring the end of all things to fiery irruptions and convulsions, 

 by which ail matter might pass from its solid to a fluia, and finally a gaseous 

 state; when the elements might melt with fervent heat, the earth quaking 

 and the heavens trembling, he anticipated that awful consummation of all 

 things, when, amidst signs and wonders in the sun, and in the moon, and in 

 the stars, the sublime language of the Apostle might be literally verified, and 

 in a mysterious mantling of dbuds Deity may return again for the final com*, 

 pletion of his work. 



MACCLESFIELD MECHANICS' INSTITUTION. 



We are happy to observe that the county of Chester lias taken itg 

 place in the intellectual and moral progress so rapidly extending 

 itself over the whole kingdom, and, we are convinced, with the 

 fairest promise of success and benefit to all classes of the commu 

 nity. Macclesfield had the honour of setting the example, in the 

 formation of a society for the acquirement of useful knowledge, in 

 December, 1834 ; an example which was followed by the establish- 

 ment of a Mechanics' Institution in Chester, in March, 1835. The 

 former had, however, to struggle with diflaculties, and contend vfiih 



VOL. ly. — NO. XV. I 



