214 Progressive Changes of Matter. [Oct., 



ments were made, both as it regards the vehicle and the highway. 

 Carrier pigeons have been employed, but this mode was limited, 

 and could not be of general utility. Signals placed upon emi- 

 nences was another mode of conveying news from one part of a 

 kingdom to another. The application of steam for the spread of 

 intelligence among men is highly important. But no change can 

 be made, or combinations of matter formed into new conditions, 

 whereby the speed of intelligence can be more rapid than that of 

 the magnetic telegraph. Hence we may look upon a progression 

 of changes in the labors of men, both as it regards the agricultu- 

 ral and mechanic arts. These changes occupy the human mind 

 with no small degree of interest. Their history is the biography 

 of the human family. 



In the works of nature we find a succession and progression of 

 changes on a most magnificent scale, the evidence of which is 

 every where seen. The condition of things during the advance 

 of these transmutations must at times have presented in the light 

 of day, scenes beyond the conception of mortals. There are two 

 antagonistic forces that appear to be always disturbing the repose 

 of matter. Heat generated in the interior of the earth, raises up, 

 by its expanding power, whole districts of country, known as 

 continents and islands. Currents of water flowing over the sur- 

 face of these continents are continually bearing matter downward 

 to a lower position. This appears to be the great order of change 

 to which the surface or crust of our globe appears to be subject. 

 When therefore we aver that the present surface of the earth on 

 Avhich we live, and upon which we perform so many wonderful 

 labors, was at one time in the earth's history, covered with the 

 remnants and rubbish of broken rocks to a height of many thou- 

 sand feet, and perhaps miles, and in that high position rivers 

 flowed and cataracts foamed, we may tax human credulity beyond 

 its power of endurance. The configuration of the earth's surface 

 is now every where diversified with the river-valley and the 

 streamlet's gorge. These too have all been formed by the exca- 

 vating force of running Avater. Perhaps this latter averment may 

 appear more probable than the former. In following the couise 



