1 62 The Founders of Geology LECT. 



authenticated by the testimony of the senses. We often 

 said to ourselves, what clearer evidence could we have had 

 of the different formation of these rocks, and of the long 

 interval which separated their formation, had we actually 

 seen them emerging from the bosom of the deep? . . . 

 The mind seemed to grow giddy by looking so far into 

 the abyss of time; and while we listened with earnest- 

 ness and admiration to the philosopher who was now 

 unfolding to us the order and series of these wonderful 

 events, we became sensible how much further reason may 

 sometimes go than imagination can venture to follow." 



Hutton's lithe active body betokened the unwearied 

 vigour of his mind. His high forehead, firmly moulded 

 features, keen observant eyes, and well-shaped, rather 

 aquiline nose, marked him out at once as a man of strong 

 intellect, while the gentleness that beamed in his face was 

 a reflex of the kindliness of his nature. His plain dress, 

 all of one colour, gave a further indication of the unostenta- 

 tious simplicity of his nature. 



His mode of life was in harmonious keeping with these 

 personal traits. After working in his study during the day 

 he would invariably pass the evening with his friends. " A 

 brighter tint of gaiety and cheerfulness spread itself over 

 every countenance when the doctor entered the room ; and 

 the philosopher who had just descended from the subliinest 

 speculations of metaphysics or risen from the deepest 

 researches of geology, seated himself at the tea-table, as 

 much disengaged from thought, as cheerful and gay, as 

 the youngest of the company." His character was distin- 

 guished by its transparent simplicity, its frank openness, its 

 absence of all that was little or selfish, and its overflowing 



