Lesson xxix.] WATER. 199 



these vapours is interrupted by the tops of moun- 

 tains, and other causes, whence they accumulate 

 into clouds, and descend in the form of rain, snow, 

 &c. as explained in the Nineteenth Lesson: after 

 having refreshed the surface of the earth, the sur- 

 plus proceeds, by virtue of its intrinsic gravity, to 

 steer its course through rivulets, &c. to the lower 

 parts, where it meets with rivers, which conduct it 

 to the sea; from whence it again undergoes a si- 

 milar process, and so on continually. Here I 

 cannot help adverting to the great utility and ad- 

 vantage of the distribution of the Waters and the 



D 



dry land; which, although it may seem rude and 

 undesigned to a careless view, yet is admirably 

 adapted to our benefit and convenience. The 

 Earth and Waters are so placed about the globe, 

 as to minister to one another's uses. The great 

 oceans, with the seas and the lakes, are so exten- 

 sive, and so situated as to produce sufficient va- 

 pours for clouds and rains, to mitigate the heats, 

 and to refresh the earth with fertile showers. The 

 mountains and the smaller hills are distributed in 

 such a manner as to afford proper situations for 

 fountains, and the sources of rivers; and this, 

 whether they are supplied from the condensation 

 of vapours, or from subterraneous channels. Nay, 

 so abundant is this great blessing which the most 

 indulgent Creator hath bestowed upon us, by 

 means of the distribution of the Earth and 

 Waters, that there is more than a scanty, bare 

 sufficiency, even a surplus and plenty, of this most 

 K 4 necessary 



