164 



the theory of St. Pierre, but to explain the probable 

 results that must inevitably have grown out of this 

 new order of things. Neither did I assume it, under 

 the smallest degree of conviction, that the ices at the 

 two poles, if they were to be suddenly and complete- 

 ly dissolved, would be sufficient, in addition to the 

 oceans, to inundate or deluge the earth completely ; far 

 from it. But if the waters of the deluge did flow from 

 these sources, it is more than j)rob able that the polar ices 

 were dissolved and rendered tributary to this stupen- 

 dous object; and that the same Almighty Power 

 which governs the universe, could easily have increas- 

 ed the quantity of water at these two focusses to a 

 degree sufficient to deluge the world. 



That the deluge was decreed by the Almighty to 

 accomplish the awful denunciations which he had pro- 

 nounced against an impious race of men, there can 

 remain no doubt. That it did take place with all its 

 concomitant horrours is equally as certain. 



That to have elevated the waters of the ocean 

 above the tops of the highest mountains in the world, 

 must have been the result, only of a miracle, will not be 

 denied. That to have accomplished this work by the 

 incessant fall of torrents of rain, is by no means pro- 

 bable, and for reasons which 1 have before advanced, 

 in part, but which it may not be amiss to repeat : viz. 

 The fall of rains would not, probably, have pro- 

 duced the full and complete effect which was intended $ 

 for as the waters of the ocean rose in height, the cur- 

 rents from the surface of the land, and even from the 

 mountains' height, would at last have been checked, 



