xliv Proceedings, fyc. 



is to find, that the first of these influential discoveries has, even until 

 this moment, never been contemplated to the extent of its import- 

 ance. Certainly, the rudiments of the greatest and most influential 

 discovery ever made had then been accomplished ; one with which 

 the faith of the human race has been so intimately associated ; and 

 what was this, producing only a few playthings, at that time thought 

 of as much as were the first grains of gold, which also occupied a place 

 among toys of no value 1 What might this mysterious substance be, 

 is the question which now presents itself? I here beg to repeat, 

 " that among the first leaves of the often mysterious Stone Book we 

 find the secret revealed." The material development of the hidden 

 seed of intelligence had to precede that of a more sublime culture in 

 moral and divine objects. This mysterious crude substance had, 

 like many other providential agencies of an unknown nature, become 

 introduced to man nearly all over the world, though at very different 

 periods, as we are aware that the population of distant tracts were not 

 all made acquainted with the same fact at the same time ; and though 

 by historical records we know the effects of this discovery for some 

 thousands of years, yet it is only of late that the light of science has 

 introduced its rays over some departments of the vast laboratory of 

 nature, thus giving a true idea of this most influential among the 

 known simple means. But, as j ust stated, the beneficial effects of the sub- 

 stance now under contemplation being achieved, have worked wonders 

 throughout the gradually civilising populations ; but, as far as I have 

 been able to observe, no notice has ever been taken of the importance of 

 this substance among the original elements promoting civilisation. 

 What we know of the bodies termed elementary, and which al- 

 together constitute, as ingredients, that great combination of che- 

 mical compounds we see in the mass of our globe, surrounded by the 

 atmosphere, and animated by the magnetic and the electric fluids, 

 we owe to the genius of those who have devoted their time and 

 labor to the study of the secrets of nature, which surround 

 us. The benefit derived from our chemical knowledge is reality, and 

 is, therefore, of immediate usefulness for the higher stages of civilisa- 

 tion; it is, consequently, one of the most sublime and useful of 

 sciences, and to it the world is indebted for many of the improve- 

 ments which have enriched the stores of material welfare. Among 

 the most interesting and important elementary compounds, we now 

 beg to name that of the ter-silicate of alumina, commonly known 

 by the name of clay. Clay will, through all generations, be 

 viewed as the origin of our first step in the narrow path of civi- 

 lisation.'"' Vast is the importance of this substance, when we consider 



* In the superficial structure of our globe we have to admire the great 

 importance and powerful influence that clay exercises, by its geological 

 position; one of the many results we find in the benefit derived from 

 £«rtesian wells. 



