435 



That in proper time thefe fires affume a new office, and in a 

 fudden paroxyfm of expanfion burft and break thefe ftrata, with 

 every fpecies of dijlocation and contorjion, raifing them up to the greatefl 

 heights, fo that of what was juft now at the bottom of the 

 fea we may pronounce, with Manilius, 



Aldus his nihil eft, hac sunt faftigia mund! : 



Thefe are the mountains of a new world ready for occupation, 

 which in like manner is to fteal away to the unfathomable regions 

 of the ocean, to undergo the fame operations that have been per- 

 formed on its predcceffor. 



At firfl view of this theory of Dr. Hutton's, the reader will pro- 

 bably fay, that the friends of old opinions need not be under any 

 alarm, left the authority upon which their opinions are founded, 

 fliould be invalidated by this or fimilar fyftems ; that their advo- 

 cates will find fufficient employment in eftablifhing their own doctrines ; 

 and that fuch a rotation of deftruction and renovation, as Dr. Huttoa 

 affumes, wjU of itfelf find difficulty enough in obtaining credit. 



Yet it appears, that moft of the naturalifts of a neighbouring na- 

 tion, whofe zeal for the advancement of every fpecies of literature 

 deferves the higheft applaufe, have adopted Dr. Hutton's theory ; that 

 tliey fupport it with their pens and from their chairs ; and (like Sir 

 fames Hall, juft quoted) catch at incidental opportunities to exprefs 

 their approbation of it. 



An opinion fo refpectably maintained and defended fliould not be 

 haftily prejudged from the wildnefs it may exhibit at firft view. 

 Dr. Hutten feems to have poffeffed in a high degree the efteem of his 

 cotemporaries. This flattering tefl:imony muft fccure to his opinions 

 the moft refpectful attention, even from thofe who do not accede to 

 them, but who will, I hope, be cxcufed for enquiring into his pre- 



( 3 I 2 ) tenfions. 



