LYELL 107 



to explain the formation of valleys and mountain ranges, 

 etc. ; but a few, and only a few, read between the lines, 

 and saw that 



The world is wide these things are small : 

 They may be nothing, but they are all. 



Nevertheless, Lyell, despite all opposition, devoted his 

 life to pursuance of the doctrine that the rocks, mountains, 

 valleys, seas, rivers, etc., were produced in past time by 

 " causes now in operation," still going on " unresting" and 

 " unhasting." 



The Principles of Geology was a work which revolu- 

 tionized geology ; theories of cataclysms and catastrophes 

 were swept away by the master-mind of Lyell. What a 

 stupendous service was rendered to science progress free 

 from prejudice ; well might his bones rest in Westminster 

 Abbey. 



" Geology," Lyell defines, " is the science which 

 investigates the successive changes that have taken 

 place in the organic and inorganic kingdoms of nature ; 

 it inquires into the causes of these changes, and the 

 influence which they have exerted in modifying the 

 surface and external surface of our planet. By these 

 researches into the state of the earth and its inhabit- 

 ants at former periods we acquire a more perfect 

 knowledge of its present condition, and more compre- 

 hensive views concerning the laws now governing its 

 animate and inanimate productions." 



