6 EEPORT— 1892. 



into the history of the universe was perfectly natural and intelligible 

 frona that poet's point of view. There was then a widespread belief that 

 this world came into existence some six thousand years ago, and that any 

 attempt greatly to increase that antiquity was meant as a blow to the 

 authority of Holy Writ. So far, however, from aiming at the overthrow of 

 orthodox beliefs, Hutton evidently regarded his ' Theory ' as an important 

 contribution in aid of natural religion. He dwelt with unfeigned pleasure 

 on the multitude of proofs which he was able to accumulate of an orderly 

 design in the operations of nature, decay and renovation being so nicely 

 balanced as to maintain the habitable condition of the planet. But as he 

 refused to admit the predominance of violent action in terrestrial changes, 

 and on the contrary contended for the efficacy of the quiet, continuous 

 processes which we can even now see at work around us, he was con- 

 strained to require an unlimited duration of past time for the production 

 of those revolutions of which he perceived such clear and abundant 

 proofs in the crust of the earth. The general public, however, failed to 

 comprehend that the doctrine of the high antiquity of the globe was not 

 inconsistent with the comparatively recent appearance of man — a distinc- 

 tion which seems so obvious now. 



Hutton died in 1797, beloved and regretted by the circle of friends 

 who had learnt to appreciate his estimable character and to admire his 

 genius, but with little recognition from the world at large. Men knew 

 not then that a great master had passed away from their midst, who had 

 laid broad and deep the foundations of a new science; that his name 

 would become a household word in after generations, and that pilgrims 

 would come from distant lands to visit the scenes from which he drew his 

 inspiration. 



Many years might have elapsed before Hutton's teaching met with 

 wide acceptance, had its recognition depended solely on the writings of 

 the philosopher himself. For, despite his firm grasp of general principles 

 and his mastery of the minutest details, he had acquired a literary style 

 which, it must be admitted, was singularly unattractive. Fortunately 

 for his fame, as well as for the cause of science, his devoted friend and 

 disciple, Playfair, a,t once set himself to draw up an exposition of Hutton's 

 views. After five years of labour on this task there appeared the classic 

 'Illustrations of the Huttonian Theory,' a work which for luminous 

 treatment and graceful diction stands still without a rival in English 

 geological literature. Though professing merely to set forth his friend's 

 doctrines, Playfair's treatise was in many respects an original contribu- 

 tion to science of the highest value. It placed for the first time in the 



