108 BOOK OF NATURE LAID OPEN. 



whatever secondary cause it may proceed, there can 

 be no doubt as to the tact, that the waters of tte sea 

 ebb and flow alternately twice in the course of some- 

 thing less than twenty-five hours, with the greatest 

 regularity. This is surprising indeed; but it is no 

 less so, that they should adhere so invariably to the 

 limits of their operation ; that even when the waves 

 lift up their heads in the most ungovernable fury, and 

 toss about in their most frantic ravings, they still con- 

 fine themselves to the space allotted for them by Pro- 

 vidence, and pay the most implicit bmission to that 

 unerring law which regulates their movements. 



When the tide begins to flow, it signifies not that 

 the proudest earthly potentate be in the way. Ca- 

 nute may erect his throne on the beach, and com- 

 mand the sea to approach no farther ; but it will be 

 only to proclaim his own impotence ; for, regardless 

 of the mandate, the waters will press on, and, if the 

 monarch persists, will sweep him from the face of 

 the earth. When the ebb has commenced, it is 

 equally vain to think of retarding the reflux ; the roll- 

 ing surges must return to the bosom of the ocean, 

 from whence they came. 



The bed of the ocean, gradually deepening as it 

 recedes from our shores, till it loses itself in the dark 

 unfathomed caves of the deep, renders it not only 

 more commodious for the purposes of navigation, 

 and safe for the inhabitants who dwell on its bor- 

 ders, but it is of singular service in removing, to a 

 distance from our shores, those numerous deposits 

 of noxious matter which are daily poured into it, 



