EQUILIBRIUM OF THE OCEAN. 11 



are, sink much in grandeur and importance when com- 

 pared with the sublime investigations of Laplace in 

 reference to the flux and reflux of the tides, and the 

 stability of the equilibrium of the ocean. Although, 

 in the indefinite variety of disturbance to which the 

 ocean is liable, from the action of irregular causes, it 

 may appear to return to its former state of equilibrium ; 

 yet a theorist inclined to speculate and not qualified to 

 investigate this profound subject thoroughly, may appre- 

 hend that " some extraordinary cause may communicate 

 to it a shock which, though inconsiderable in its origin, 

 may augment continually, and elevate it above the 

 highest mountains." Now Laplace, by means of an 

 elegant and refined analysis, has developed the condi- 

 tions which are necessary for the absolute stability of 

 the ocean. He has shown irrefragably, " that the ocean 

 is in a state of stable equilibrium ; and if, as can scarcely 

 be doubted, it has formerly covered continents which 

 are now elevated much above its level, the cause must 

 be sought elsewhere than in the defect of its equilibrium. 

 His analysis also shows that this stability would cease 

 to have place if the mean density of the sea exceeded 

 that of the earth ; so that the stability of the equilibrium 

 of the ocean, and the excess of the density of the terres- 

 trial globe above that of the waters which cover it, are 

 reciprocally connected the one with the other." 



What we term accident produced the train of thought 

 in the mind of Archimedes, which issued in the elegant 

 though simple propositions contained in his work ; and 

 these again in the expanded series of verities to which 

 we have so briefly adverted. But this is by no means 

 the only case in which accident has opened to us an 

 extensive field of instruction and delight. Whether it 



