72 SECTIONAL ADDRESSES. 
Whatever satisfaction is to be derived from the acquisition of know- 
ledge, there is always a discouraging factor in the realisation of our 
limitations. Owing to the complex nature of the subject and the vast 
number of facts involved, the study of geology is peculiarly effective in 
this respect, and cannot but tend to a humble attitude of mind. Another 
potent influence to this end is the realisation of the mistakes that have 
been made, even in the basic principles of the science. From the fantastic 
theories of the cosmogonists arose eventually the doctrine of catastrophism ; 
this conception yielded to uniformitarianism, and to uniformitarianism 
was added the doctrine of evolution. Le Conte described Darwin as a 
uniformitarian evolutionist. To-day uniformitarianism is being questioned 
seriously from both the inorganic and the organic points of view. We 
are swinging back to a conception of a milder catastrophism variously 
expressed as rhythm, diastrophism, &c. 
The necessity of drawing conclusions from doubtful or insufficient 
evidence is an ever-present antidote for dogmatism. Many of our con- 
clusions are merely inferences subject to revision in the light of further 
evidence. The experienced geologist has become cautious, he knows he 
is only feeling his way, and he is accustomed to temper his statements 
with a saving clause to cover his discomfiture should his conclusions be 
proved erroneous at a later time. 
To humbleness and caution I would add a conviction of theism as a 
result of the study of geology. I fear to venture on dangerous ground, 
but I must be allowed the opinion that materialism offers no adequate 
explanation of the wonders of geology. With revealed religion I am not 
here concerned, but I believe that the inconceivably long gradient that 
has led ever upward to the mentality of man has not been traced without 
design, and I see no reason why that gradient should terminate. I look, 
rather, to its upward continuation to even greater heights beyond. 
Literature. 
The science of geology is founded on observations in all parts of the 
earth, and its broad principles are everywhere applicable. In detail, 
however, the science is necessarily local; hence the enormous quantity 
of literature that has accumulated. This literature is very largely economic 
and technical; it finds its way chiefly into the hands of professional 
geologists and mining engineers, and it is scarcely intelligible to the 
ordinary man of culture. 
Numerous text-books of geology are available, but they are addressed 
to the student of geology rather than to the general reader. It is not by 
means of text-books, however, that an appreciation of the great lessons of 
geology is to be cultivated, but rather by non-technical treatises dealing 
only with the broad aspects of the subject. 
The influence of geology on general literature is less than might have 
been expected. This lack is in part due to the brief period of modern 
scientific geology, and in part to the ancient separation of culture and 
science—a distinction that is rapidly losing recognition. 
Poetry descriptive of land forms and of the wonders of Nature is to be 
found in abundance, but an appreciation of the great principles of geology 
is not shown by the major poets to any great extent. In this respect, 
Tennyson is probably deserving of first position, but I fear of getting 
