A GREAT SEA- WAVE. 211 



which the earth's subterranean forces are still engaged 

 upon. Even now continents are being slowly de- 

 pressed or upheaved, even now mountain ranges are 

 being raised to a new level, table-lands are in process 

 of formation, and great valleys are being gradually 

 scooped out. It may need an occasional outburst 

 such as the earthquake of August 1868 to remind us 

 that great forces are at work beneath the earth's 

 surface. But, in reality, the signs of change have 

 long been noted. Old shore-lines shift their place, 

 old soundings vary ; the sea advances in one place and 

 retires in another ; on every side Nature's plastic hand 

 is at work modelling and remodelling the earth, in 

 order that it may always be a fit abode for those who 

 are to dwell upon it. 



(From Fraser's Magazine, July 1870.) 



THE USEFULNESS OF EARTHQUAKES. 



WE have lately had fearful evidence of the energy 

 of the earth's internal forces. A vibration which, 

 when considered with reference to the dimensions 

 of the earth's globe, may be spoken of as an indefi- 

 nitely minute quivering limited to an insignificant 

 area, has sufficed to destroy the cities and villages 

 of whole provinces, to cause the death of thousands 

 of human beings, and to effect a destruction of 

 property which must be estimated by millions of pounds 

 sterling. Such a catastrophe as this serves indeed 



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