INTRODUCTION. j 



the south, are seen rising one after another from the level of the sea, 

 and in like manner breaking off in succession, as we proceed north- 

 M'ard; and the aluminous schistus, the last visible bed on the coast, 

 is raised at Boulby to an elevation considerably greater than that of 

 the chalk at Flamborough and Speeton, though the chalk is the 

 highest rock in the district, in point of geological position. Thus, in 

 a long series of strata, each bed is successively brought to the sur- 

 face; and the lowest is as accessible as the highest. 



This is one of those provident arrangements, by which tlie 

 wisdom and goodness of the supreme Ruler are beautifully illus- 

 trated. Had the rocks been all placed horizontally, without any 

 dip, and the upper beds been every where continued over the lower, 

 we could have had no acq,ess to any of the lower beds, without pierc- 

 ing through the whole superincumbent strata; and this, in many 

 instances, would have completely excluded us from various mineral 

 products which are of immense benefit to mankind, and which, by 

 the present disposition of the rocks, are placed within our reach. 

 Besides, had the face of the globe been composed of one entire pile 

 of level strata, without any break or dislocation, where would have 

 been that beauty and glory with which it is now decked? Where 

 would have been our hills and valleys, our mountains and plains,, 

 with all those charming landscapes, that richly diversified scenery, 

 those grand and interesting features of nature, resulting from the 

 inequalities of the earth's surface ? And, supposing the sea to have 

 remained, what would have become of our rivers and lakes, our 

 fountains and streams ; with the numerous blessings which they yield 

 to man ? The world, in that case, could not have been a fit habita- 

 tion for the tenants that now possess it. Here, then, as in other 

 provinces of his boundless dominions, the infinite Jehovah bring* 

 good out of evil, order and beauty out of seeming confusion and 

 deformity, and the most precious heuefits out of overthrow and 



