43 



basalt pillars, he shews the subject was much in his 

 thoughts. 



It would be tiresome to lead the reader about the 

 world, naming the diiFerent volcanos, scattered over its 

 surface, where a particle of basalt has never been noticed. 

 I have already given him sufficient materials, to enable him 

 to form a judgment of the fairness with which the Academy 

 of Sciences ushers in Mr. Desmarest's Memoir. The Avorld 

 will no longer be at a loss to account for the rapid success 

 this theoxry has had. It can judge' now, Avith what a prepos- 

 session, in its favour, a reader will pass from the Precis to 

 the Memoir, when he finds its object is to prove, that there 

 is an actual connection between certain productions of na- 

 ture, which he has, the moment before, been assured, from 

 the highest authority, are invariably found together. 



But it is not by the weight of authority, nor the preci- 

 pitate assent of the public, that oue judgment should be 

 regulated on philosophical subjects; nor because Mr. Des- 

 marest's intentions have been discovered to be hostile to 

 what we have been used to respect, are we, therefore, at 

 once, to condemn his opinions. Let us temperately examine 

 his Memoir, and t?y, whether it be entitled to the credit it 

 has obtained. Here I must request the reader to observe, 

 that it is not the merits of the Volcanic Theory I am, at pre- 

 sent, proceeding to discuss ; but simply those of Mr. Desma- 

 rest's Memoir, admitted, on all sides, to be the basis upon 

 which the Volcanic Theory rests. If this shall be found insuf- 

 ficient to sustain it, I will next examine,, Avhat support it 



receives. 



