232 LAY SERMONS, ADDRESSES, AND REVIEWS. [xi 



which are full of that peculiar, if unattractive, eloquence 

 which flows from mastery of the subject, Hutton says : — 



" We have now got to the end of our reasoning ; we 

 have no data further to conclude immediately from that 

 which actually is. But we have got enough ; we have 

 the satisfaction to find, that in Nature there is wisdom, 

 system, and consistency. For having, in the natural 

 history of this earth, seen a succession of worlds, we 

 may from this conclude that there is a system in Nature ; 

 in like manner as, from seeing revolutions of the planets, 

 it is concluded, that there is a system by which they are 

 intended to continue those revolutions. But if the sue 

 cession of worlds is established in the system of Nature, 

 it is in vain to look for anything higher in the origin of 

 the earth. The result, therefore, of this physical inquiry 

 is, that we find no vestige of a beginning, — no prospect 

 of an end." 1 



Yet another influence worked strongly upon Hutton. 

 Like most philosophers of his age, he coquetted with 

 those final causes which have been named barren virgins, 

 but which might be more fitly termed the hetairce of 

 philosophy, so constantly have they led men astray. 

 The final cause of the existence of the world is, for 

 Hutton, the production of life and intelligence. 



"We have now considered the globe of this earth 

 as a machine, constructed upon chemical as well as 

 mechanical principles, by which its different parts are all 

 adapted, in form, in quality, and in quantity, to a certain 

 end ; an end attained with certainty or success ; and an 

 end from which we may perceive wisdom, in contem- 

 plating the means employed. 



" But is this world to be considered thus merely as a 

 machine, to last no longer than its parts retain their 

 present position, their proper forms and qualities? Or 



1 The Theory of the Earth, vol. i. p. 200. 



