S02 Changes of Timber and Plants^ b\\ 



ing and cultivation cannot fail to make material changes 

 in the climate, the general state of the atmosphere, and 

 the soil. These changes naturally and necessarily lead 

 to corresponding mutations in the productions of the 

 earth. For, in my mind the productions of the earth 

 are the 7iative children of surrounding circumstajices. — 

 By some, I well know that this sentiment is reprobated 

 as profane and atheistical. With me, it is not so. I 

 deem it perfectly compatible with the existence and 

 the attributes of a God, who framed and governs the 

 universe, as the cause of causes, and not as the imme- 

 diate cause of every petty event. Viewing the Deity 

 in this most honourable and exalted of all possible 

 lights, I cannot but believe, that he has imparted to the 

 earth and other elements a power of peopling themselves, 

 (at least under certain circumstances) v/ithout his direct 

 and proximate agency. 



In the countries of Europe, where a more advanced 

 stage of agricultural improvements has given a greater 

 stability to the state of the soil, the atmosphere, and 

 the climate, we can readily admit, that nature does not 

 now^ make such frequent and striking changes in the 

 vegetable productions of the earth, as she probably did 

 some centuries ago, or as she does in the United States 

 at the present time. This circumstance may perhaps, 

 explain to us, why many Europeans, even of the most 

 extensive observation and expanded intellect, are en- 

 tirely ignorant that such changes ever occur. Men 

 cannot incur blame for not being acquainted with facts 

 which they have never had an opportunity to learn. — 

 But there exists no apology whatever for the ignorance 

 of Americans on this subject. The mutations here re- 



