68 THE CHEMISTRY OF CREATION. 



upon themselves, so that the real condition of 

 nature is an equilibrium an equilibrium, how- 

 ever, which is preserved by continual efforts on 

 each side to upset the balance. 



This is a strong expression of the facts 

 silently presented to us even in such a quiet 

 scene as we have been contemplating. And it 

 is necessary to offer them with one qualifica- 

 tion. Many of the changes thus ceaselessly 

 occurring are absolutely inappreciable by the 

 ordinary tokens : thus, chemistry alone can 

 tell us that the atmosphere is constantly un- 

 dergoing changes of addition, subtraction, and 

 restitution, to the most enormous amount; but 

 the senses cannot discover it. And with regard 

 to the surface-changes, the amount of alteration 

 at any one time is minute, and the extent can 

 only be measured by a long lapse of years. It 

 is important therefore to remember that these 

 changes are in constant progress under our eyes, 

 however silent and imperceptible may be their 

 occurrence. By little and little the beautiful 

 fabric of our globe gets out of repair, and is 

 repaired again; its features the meanwhile not 

 sensibly altered, although continually altering. 

 The rocks which shut in the valley in which 

 we have placed ourselves are dropping to pieces. 

 Could years be compressed into hours, we should 

 see their rugged sides crumbling down in great 



