X 



once celebrated ' Vestiges of the Natural History of the Creation.' 

 My own opinion respecting the poetical hypothesis of Lamarck, as 

 revived by the author of the 'Vestiges' is very decided: I consider 

 that the said author argues throughout on facts which he either as- 

 sumes or takes for granted, and that such a proceeding can by no 

 possibility lead to just conclusions. In fact, the book is a pleasing 

 poem, and like other poems, it mixes a mass of fiction with a modi- 

 cum of truth. Still I fear Mr. Miller is hardly the man to answer the 

 author of the 'Vestiges:' he may be called the poet of geology as 

 his fellow-labourer is the poet of philosophy : both possess a fatal 

 facility of writing, and an elegant, fascinating style, that appeals 

 strongly to the feelings but weakly to the judgment. 



EDWARD NEWMAN. 



9, Devonshire Street, Bishopsgate, 

 December 12, 1849. 



