BOK OP NATURE LAID OPEN. it 



have holes, and the coneys burrow themselves. 

 Here is that tough tenacious species of earth, which 

 administers its services to man in such a variety of 

 shapes, and acts as a substitute for other commo- 

 dities in situations where nature has denied them. 

 Are some in want of stones for building? Clay, by 

 undergoing a process, becomes firm and hard, to 

 withstand the most rigid blasts of winter. Are there 

 no Slate quarries in the neighbourhood ? Clay, in 

 the shape of Tiles, forms an excellent substitute. 

 Are we in want of Lead for pipes to convey our 

 water from a distance? Clay comes seasonably to 

 our aid. In short, by this mean looking, dirty, and 

 despised substance, we are abundantly supplied 

 with a great variety of utensils and vessels, neat in 

 their structure, cleanly in the use, and though cheap 

 in the purchase, extremely valuable in point of 

 utility. Here are also, commodiously lodged, a va- 

 riety of other useful earths, which it would encroach 

 too much on our limits to attempt to enumerate. 

 These, with an innumerable variety of other useful 

 and valuable materials, of which those we have 

 mentioned may be considered as only a specimen, 

 are safely locked up by PROVIDENCE in this great 

 storehouse of Nature, and the key given to Indus- 

 try to take out and apply as necessity may require, 

 or circumstances direct; and in the disposition of 

 which we may be at a loss what most to admire, 

 the bounty of the Creator, in thus so largely making 

 provision for our numerous wants, or his ivisdom in 

 placing them at such convenient distances below the 



