Sect. IV.] (^<iolog\j. o\^ 



consumed, it will be extinguished; tliat then it 

 will roll through the immensity of space, without 

 any regular motion, till it is again covered with 

 watery particles, collected from other planets, when 

 it will fix in the vortex of a new sun, and again 

 go through the same course of motions and changes, 

 being supplied with fresh inhabitants, rcsemljling 

 those by which it is tenanted at present ; thnt the 

 earth has probably been undergoing revolutions 

 of this kind from all eternity, and will continue to 

 go through a succession of them without end. — 

 This atheistical and absurd theory, if it deseive 

 the name, not more hostile to revelation than to 

 all sound philosophy, seems to have gained l)uL 

 fktw adherents, and but little celebrity. 



After M. Maillet, his countryman, tlie count 

 de BufTon, formed a new theory of the earth, which 

 has been mnch celebrated, and, notwithstanding 

 its inconsistency with revelation, and the visionary 

 absurdities which it involves, has gained many afl- 

 vocates and admirers. — According to tliis ingenious 

 theorist, a comet falling into the body of the sui) 

 with great force, struck from its surilice a large 

 mass of liquid fire. The comet communicated to 

 this fragment, thus driven olY from the sun, a \ io- 

 lent impulsive force, which it still retains. Tliis 

 fragment forms the globe we inhabit. Jt assumed 

 its present figure when in a fluid state. As the 

 heated mass gradually coolc^d, the vapours which 

 ijurrounded it condensed, fell down in the form of 

 water upon the surface, depositing at the same 

 time a slimy substance, mixed with sulphur and 

 salts, part of which was carried by the waters into 

 tUe perpendicular fissures of the strata, and pro- 



