170 Progress and Civilisation. PT. m. 



later times would have afforded. It is as if some 

 I great and glorious landscape (we will say the first 

 view of Switzerland and the Alps from the descent 

 of the Jura above Jex) was gradually revealed to the 

 traveller by the. dispersion of the morning mists. 

 1 First, he would catch the rich and varied landscape 

 at his feet, then gradually the bright, crystal 

 ! reflection of the Lake of Geneva ; slowly and 

 ( imperceptibly would he discern the grand and 

 picturesque forms of the lower ranges of the 

 mountains of Savoy; and, lastly, scarce believing 

 his eyes, scarcely crediting that the giant glittering 

 masses piercing the skies belonged really to this 

 earth, he would gaze upon the sublime spectacle of 

 Mont Blanc and -the highest range of the Alps. 

 Thus we of the nineteenth century have unveiled 

 before us much of that mighty scheme which earlier 

 generations could never have suspected. We are 

 enabled in some degree to measure its grandeur, its 

 immensity, and, above all, its Unity. We must feel 

 convinced that to Astronomy, Geology, and the 

 whole circle of the Sciences from those which can 

 by Microscopic power scrutinise the minutest object 

 in terrestrial economy to those laws which embrace 

 the Universe the same stamp of Omnipotence is 



