12 A NOTICE OF THE 



been at the expense of geological surveys, for the purpose of 

 ascertaining their mineral resources. 



A knowledge of natural history, generally, facilitates the 

 economic exploration of new countries, and enables the traveller, 

 almost at a glance, to perceive the nature of the soil and climate, 

 as well as the value and qualities of their vegetable and mineral 

 productions. But among the many benefits which the ' natural 

 sciences confer upon society, there is none more valuable than the 

 assistance they afford to the study of the laws of life, upon an accu- 

 rate knowledge of which a rational system of medicine, a true medi- 

 cal science, must be based. Physiology is indebted for its present 

 state of advancement, almost exclusively to the assiduous culti- 

 vation of the natural sciences. 



The rapid sketch above given is sufficient to indicate the use- 

 fulness of the natural sciences. Notwithstanding the utility, 

 their cultivation has been erroneously supposed to lead to reli- 

 gious infidelity; and, therefore, its votaries have been regarded 

 with suspicion. The history of the progress of geology records 

 how violently prejudice and ignorance were arrayed in opposition 

 to the investigations of natural objects. There was a time when, 

 "had there been a Protestant inquisition in England," says Sir 

 David Brewster, " the geologists of the north would have been 

 immured in its deepest dungeons." 



" Truth, however, marched apace ; and, though her simple 

 and majestic procession be often solemn and slow, and her vota- 

 ries few and dejected; yet on this, as on every occasion, she 

 triumphed over the most inveterate prepossessions, and finally 

 took up her abode in those very halls and institutions where she 

 had been persecuted and reviled. When their science had been 

 thus acquitted of the charge of impiety and irreligion, the mem- 

 bers of the Geological Society left their humble and timid position 

 of being the collectors only of the materials of future generaliza- 

 tions, and became at once the most successful observers of 

 geological phenomena, and the boldest 'asserters of geological 

 truth."* 



Nothing has been formed in vain. It is among the pleasures 

 of a Christian to believe that God, in his bountiful goodness, 



* Hugh Miller : Sketches of his Life and Writings. By Sir David Brews- 

 ter, Bart. 



