129 



plications of the principle are so great that it would exceed our 

 limits to describe them ; we only wish to point out the funda- 

 mental laws, and leave their local application to the judgement 

 and ingenuity of the engineer. 



Conclusion, 



Besides geological dynamics, this inquiry leads to the true laws 

 of terrestrial physics, showing what is possible and what is not« 

 What an amount of ingenuity, labour and expense have been 

 thrown away on the pursuit of the perpetual motion, which 

 might have been turned to better use if the simplest laws of ter- 

 restrial physics had been consulted instead of mere geometry, 

 i. e. that no motion can take place and continue without the 

 presence of an active principle ! It is time to remove some of 

 the mist which has so long enveloped physical science, and sweep 

 off some of those intricate calculations whichuhave obstructed the 

 path, and make it easy and clear to all. " Natural philosophy 

 may thus become regarded as it ought to be, a fountain of intel- 

 lectual recreation capable of being enjoyed by all, to the in- 

 jury of no one ; on the contrary, adding to the practical aid and 

 advantages of our fellow- creatures, cherishing an unbounded 

 spirit of inquiry, free from all prejudices, and open to every im- 

 pression of a higher order, and affording at all times the purest 

 earthly happiness of which human nature is susceptible." 



THE END. 



Printed by Richard and John E. Taylor, Red Lion Court, Fleet Street. 



K 



