on the Speculations of Theorists, 1G3 



to be approaching when this valuable species of fuel will be con- 

 sidered as such in manv parts of the north of Ireland : hence 

 great proprietors, and among the rest my friend the Earl of 

 Gosford, are anxiously inquiring into the probability of finding 

 coal on their estates. 



We have mouritebanlis under many forms, and I know none 

 more ignorant, or more likely to mislead, than those who claim 

 to be coal- finders. 



I shall take the libertv of recommending to those proprietors 

 who are anxious to find coal on their estates, to consider the sub- 

 ject as a question of fact, not of theory and speculation ; and 

 to act accordinglv. 



That is, to make the experiment at the least possible expense, 

 to find how /'o///.'o' can be executed in the cheapest manner; 

 and then to try in as many diiterent places as may be found con- 

 venient, not under the direction of persons who claim to be 

 adepts; but of plain honest men, who, without speculating ou 

 the subject, will report facts as they find them : these may 

 be transmitted for opinion to those most experienced in such 

 researches, and I know not any one who has taken so much 

 pains to make himself master of the subject, as my able friend 

 G. B. Greenough, Esq. late President of the Geological Society. 



Some do not use such violent agents, but quietly elevate our 

 mountains and high islands, in the direction of an axis perpen- 

 dicular to the horizon ; leaving to others to investigate the pro- 

 truding cause. 



The Neptunians wrap their mantle-formed strata about small 

 elevations, until they accumulate them into mountains. 



Whoever discusses questions with theorists, should be very cau- 

 tious as to the terms he permits them to adopt in stating their 

 opinions: they are fotid of using the words may and might ; tliey 

 stiouid be told that in argument these should be changed into 

 did and must. The terms possible and impossible must also be 

 erased from the vocabulary of theorists ; from the former no 

 conclusion can be drawn, and the latter is quite too self-sufficient 

 for sucli novices in the art of world-making to hazard. — They 

 should be limited {o facts; and, in their deductions, subjected to 

 the rigid rules of logic. 



I liave I)een cliarged with I)e:ng contentious and quarrelsome, 

 in having so often encountered the:;e vain theorists; for, fully con- 

 vinced of my own ignorance of the early operations of nature, I 

 could not bear to see gentlemen as ignorant as myself, claim to 

 be adepts in the art of world-making, and therefore amused my- 

 self in exposing their fooleries. 



i\1y lute friend, Earl Macartney, compared me to a person 



at football, who, never daring to liazard liimself by kicking the 



L2 -'bull, 



