xcii —- Historical Sketch of the Physical Sciences, 1818. 
mote the interests of his favourite science by an accurate de- 
scription of the numerous parts of Scotland and Ireland, whose 
structure he has ascertained, than by the most ingenious specu- 
lations about the origin of the earth. The splendour of such 
speculations is too apt to have irresistible attractions for a young 
and generous mind just starting in the arena, and eager to 
attract the attention of his fellows. But the fate of the numer- 
ous list of preceding writers in this tempting career, and the 
fate obviously impending over even the latest and best qualitied 
adventurers, ought, I think, to be a warning. Who at present 
ranks the geological speculations of Kirwan, Bertrand, or 
Lametherie, much higher than those of Woodward or Buffon ? 
And the impending fate of Hutton, and even of Werner, is 
obvious and irresistible. Facts are eternal, speculations are 
palaces of ice glittering like gold and jewels, and built appa- 
rently of the most solid materials ; but melting away before the 
rays of the sun, without leaving even a trace behind them. 
