418 SKETCH TOWARDS A 



now irregular movements within the earth, producing 

 distinct expansions in different pkces, so should there 

 have been such at this early period. And though we 

 have not as yet even conjectured the causes of what 

 is, nevertheless, a fact in evidence, we ought to admit 

 it on the doctrine of Final Causes, or of a Directing 

 Power; seeing that it is necessary for that disposition, 

 or management of the Earth, the consequences of 

 which are essential to its* ends. 



Thus then did this first of all solid globes become 

 an irregular or mountainous one ; while it is as easy 

 to believe in successive eruptions of fluid matter 

 through the portions already solidified, as in the pre- 

 sent state of the earth; and those proceeding through- 

 out a period of great duration, so as to produce a form 

 capable of receiving collections of water, or an ocean. 

 And if, respecting the precipitation of. water from an 

 atmosphere, the makers of antient hypotheses have 

 written as vaguely as abundantly, Chemistry can now 

 admit this, under its laws, though as yet compelled to 

 speak in general terms. 



If such is this view of the first, or truly primitive 

 solid globe, 1 need not dwell on the quality of the 

 Evidence ; since, be it what it may, it is apparent. 

 But, under the same evidence, there is now a second 

 condition, or, from the presumed original one, a fourth, 

 and that a Terraqueous one, or an earth analogous to 

 the present, however differing in many essential parti- 

 culars; some obvious, and others only to be conjectured. 



In this terraqueous globe, in which all the rocks 

 were unstratified, the operation of the elements must 

 have produced the same effects which they do at pre- 

 sent ; and the result must have been the deposition of 

 alluvia, or the preparation of strata beneath the waters. 

 If it be asked what proof there is of this, I formerly 



