84 Eaton's Geology. 



and correct the supposed errors. Let any serious mistakes be 

 pointed out, and fairly proved," &,c. &c. 



As the critic in the N. A. R. tinds himself thus publicly re- 

 proved and challenged, before the bar of the public, by indi- 

 viduals who, in the language of legal practice, have chosen to 

 change the venue, from the North American Review of Boston, 

 to the American Journal of New Haven : he, to secure to his 

 cause, the utmost attainable fair dealing in the case, chooses the 

 Monthly Journal of Geology, of Philadelphia, as quite appropriate 

 to the conduct of a controversy originating in geological matters. 



Before the writer shows how completely he stands justified 

 with the public, in relation to the manner in which he reviewed 

 Mr. Eaton's geological text-book, he desires first to show what 

 sort of provocation General Van Renselaer and professor Silliman 

 have received from him ; that the nature of their motives may 

 be surmised, if possible, for the attack to which this communica- 

 tion is an answer. The only allusion in the article to the former 

 of these two gentlemen, is contained in the following passage, at 

 page 482, of the N. A. Review. 



" We have read his [Eaton's] works, and continue to witness, 

 with surprise, his pertinacious adherence to an arrangement of 

 rocks, and a nomenclature, entirely at variance with nature and 

 perspicuity. If Mr. Eaton had, in a modest, unpretending man- 

 ner, brought the geological facts he had from time to time col- 

 lected in the State of New York, into the general stock of prac- 

 tical information, he would have deserved and received unquali- 

 fied praise. But presuming upon the supposed ignorance of his 

 readers, he has preferred to set himself up for a genius. In this 

 he has most lamentably failed ; has greatly injured a cause he 

 seems to be zealous in, and has abused the rare opportunities he 

 has had of doing good, through the favour of the generous in- 

 dividual who has been his patron."* 



In relation to the second of these gentlemen, the only passage 

 where his name is mentioned, or where he is alluded to in any 

 part of the article, is the following : 



" We notice, however, with pleasure, an increasing attention 

 to the study of natural history, in our principal colleges ; and we 

 are particularly happy in rendering justice to the persevering 



'.General Van Renselaer. 



