TWO ANTAGONIST DOCTRINES OF GEOLOGY. 677 



to subjects of a closer interest. It will appear, also, 

 I trust, that the most perfect method of obtain- 

 ing speculative truth, that of which I have had 

 to ' relate the result, is by no means confined to 

 the least worthy subjects ; but that the Methods of 

 learning what is really true, though they must as- 

 sume different aspects in cases where a mere con- 

 templation of external objects is concerned, and 

 where our own internal world of thought, feeling, 

 and will, supplies the matter of our speculations, 

 have yet a unity and harmony throughout all the 

 possible employments of our minds. To be able to 

 trace such connexions as this, is the proper sequel, 

 and would be the high reward, of the labour which 

 has been bestowed on the present work. And if a 

 persuasion of the reality of such connexions, and a 

 preparation for studying them, have been conveyed 

 to the reader's mind while he has been accompany- 

 ing me through our long survey, his time may not 

 have been employed on these pages in vain. How- 

 ever vague and hesitating and obscure may be such 

 a persuasion, it belongs, I doubt not, to the dawn- 

 ing of a better Philosophy, which it may be my lot, 

 perhaps, to develop more fully hereafter, if per- 

 mitted by that Superior Power to whom all sound 

 philosophy directs our thoughts. 



