LIFE of Br HUTtON. 97 



founded reafoners of which the prefent age furniflies any ex- 

 ample. 



Mr Clerk of Elden was another friend, with whom, in the 

 formation of his theory, Dr Hutton maintained a conftant 

 communication. Mr Clerk, perhaps from the extenfive pro- 

 perty which his family had in the coal-mines near Edinburgh, 

 was early intei-efted in the purfuits of mineralogy. His in- 

 quiries, however, were never confined to the objedts which mere 

 fituation might point out, and, through his whole life, have been 

 much more diredted by the irrefiftible impulfe of genius, than by 

 the adlion of external circumftances. Though not bred to the fea, 

 he is well known to have fludied the principles of naval war with 

 unexampled fuccefs ; and though not exercifing the profeffion of 

 arms, he has viewed every country through which he has pafled 

 with the eye of a foldier as well as a geologiil. The intereft he 

 took in fludying the furface no lefs than the interior of the 

 earth ; his extenfive information in mofl branches of natural hi- 

 ftory J a mind of great refource, and great readinefs of inven- 

 tion ; made him, to Dr Hutton, an invaluable friend and co- 

 adjutor. It cannot be doubted, that, in many parts, the fyflem 

 of the latter has had great obligations to the ingenuity of the 

 former, though the unreferved intercourfe of friendfliip, and the 

 adjuflments produced by mutual fuggeftion, might render thofe 

 parts undiftinguilhable even by the authors themfelves. Mr 

 Clerk's pencil was ever at the command of his friend, and 

 has certainly rendered him mofl eflfential fervice. 



But it was not to philofophers and men of fcience only that Dr 

 Hutton 's converfation was agreeable. He was little known, 

 indeed, in general company, and had no great relifti for the 

 enjoyment which it affords ; yet he was fond of domeftic 

 fociety, and took great delight in a few private circles, 

 where feveral excellent and accomplifhed individuals of both 

 fexe€ thought themfelves happy to be reckoned in the num- 



N a ber 



