18 BOOK OP NATURE LAID OPEK. 



But the most general use to which Providence 

 seems to 'have applied mountains and vallies, and 

 consequently, without doubt, the most important one 

 for which they were designed, is the elevation of 

 Springs, and convenient distribution of Waters, 

 agreeably to the language of the Royal Psalmist: 

 " They go up by the mountains, they go down by 

 the vallies, unto the place which thou hast appointed 

 for them," And this use alone would have atibrded 

 us abundant motives of gratitude and thankfulness, 

 although there had been no other, that from moun- 

 tains and vallies we are supplied with these inesti- 

 mable blessings. 



Springs and Rivers. 



Water is not only one of those necessary elements 

 of which our very means of existence are composed, 

 but it administers to our wants and conveniences on 

 a- variety of occasions, and in many different shapes. 



With water our choicest bread is mixed, and it 

 makes part of the composition of our favourite be- 

 verage, By water the beasts of the field, and the 

 fowls of the air, quench their thirst ; and by means 

 of it the lofty cedar of Lebanon derives its nutri- 

 triment, as well as the tender herb that creepeth 

 against the wall. By this necessary and useful fluid 

 we are assisted in many a tedious and laborious 

 operation: Formed into canals it helps the deep- 

 laden barge forward in its progress ; confined into 

 dams it sets the ponderous mill-wheel in motion ; or 



