MAN AND NATUEE. 277 



We have dwelt on this subject at some length, 

 from the prominence Mr. Marsh has given to it in his 

 volume. We now come to other points illustrative of 

 the dominion which Man exercises on the earth illus- 

 trations more definite and intelligible than the complex 

 conditions of climate, and the doubtful question how 

 far, and in what way, these are modified by the forest 

 vegetation which Man can create or destroy. Most of 

 these illustrations belong to the age in which we are 

 now living. All need to be brought into relation with 

 it. The last century the last fifty years more espe- 

 cially has established a new era of human power ; in 

 which, by aid of fresh elements subjected to command, 

 and fresh impulse given to those of older use, more has 

 been done to subjugate the earth and ocean to human 

 purposes than in the total period forming the prior 

 history of mankind. 



We must begin by carrying our readers for a few 

 minutes below the surface to those wonderful works 

 of mining genius and industry upon which England, 

 beyond all other countries on the globe, relies for her 

 prosperity and greatness. In mines as they are now 

 worked we have an admirable example of dominion 

 gained over the natural world by the pure force of 

 human intelligence. In the profound depth and ex- 

 tent of many of them, in the magnitude and perfection 

 of the machinery employed, and in the methods by 

 which air is given to the mine and water removed 

 from it, we find every element of grandeur and suc- 

 cessful energy. It is not possible here to go into details ; 

 and yet, seeing how little these things are known or 



