LIFE of Dr HUtTON. 97 



founded reafoners of which the prefent age furniihes any ex- 

 ample. 



Mr Clerk of Elden was another friend, with whom, in the 

 formation of his theory, Dr Hutton maintained a conftant 

 communication. Mr Clerk, perhaps from the extenfive pro- 

 perty which his family had in the coal-mines near Edinburgh, 

 was early intereded in the purfuits of mineralogy. His in- 

 quiries, however, were never confined to the objects which mere 

 fituation might point out, and, through his whole life, have been 

 much more directed by the irrefidible impulfe of genius, than by 

 the action of external circumdances.. Though not bred to the fea, 

 he is well known to have dudied the principles of naval war with 

 unexampled fuccefs ; and though not exercifing the profeffion of 

 arms, he has viewed every country through which he has paffed 

 with the eye of a foldier as well as a geologid. The intered he 

 took in dudying the furface no lefs than the interior of the 

 earth ; his extenfive information in mod branches of natural hi- 

 dory j a mind of great refource, and great readinefs of inven- 

 tion ; made him, to Dr Hutton, an invaluable friend and co- 

 adjutor. It cannot be doubted, that, in many parts, the fydem 

 of the latter has had great obligations to the ingenuity of the 

 former, though the unreferved intercourfe of friendfhip, and the 

 adjudments produced by mutual fuggedion, might render thofe 

 parts undidinguilhable even by the authors themfelves. Mr 

 Clerk's pencil was ever at the command of his friend, and 

 has certainly rendered him mod effential fervice. 



But it was not to philofophers and men of fcience only that Dr 

 Hutton 's converfation was agreeable. He was little known, 

 indeed, in general company, and had no great relilh for the 

 enjoyment which it affords ; yet he was fond of domedic 

 fociety, and took great delight in a few private circles, 

 where feveral excellent and accomplifhed individuals of both 

 fexes thought themfelves happy to be reckoned in the num- 



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