THE EARTH. 171 



most copious fountains the most remote from the 

 sea.* 



This seems the most general opinion ; and yet, 

 after all, it is still pressed with great difficulties, 

 and there is still room to look out for a better 

 theory. The perpetuity of many springs, which 

 always yield the same quantity, when the least rain 

 or vapour is afforded, as well as when the greatest, 

 is a strong objection. Derhamt mentions a spring 

 at Upminster, which he could never perceive by 

 his eye to be diminished in the greatest droughts, 

 even when all the ponds in the country, as well 

 as an adjoining brook, have been dry for several 

 months together. In the rainy seasons, also, it 

 was never overflowed j except sometimes, per- 

 haps for an hour or so, upon the immission of the 

 external rains. He, therefore, justly enough con- 

 cludes, that had this spring its origin from rain or 

 vapour, there would be found an increase or de- 

 crease of its water, corresponding to the causes of 

 its production. 



Thus the reader, after having been tossed from 

 one hypothesis to another, must at last be con- 

 tented to settle in conscious ignorance. All that 

 has been written upon this subject, affords him 

 rather something to say, than something to think ; 

 something rather for others than for himself. 

 Varenius, indeed, although he is at a loss for the 

 origin of rivers, is by no means so as to their for- 

 mation. He is pretty positive that all rivers are 

 artificial. He boldly asserts, that their channels 



* Phil. Trans, vol. ii. p. 1 28. f Derham, Physica-Theol. 



