ON THE DELUGE, 679 



again through cavities and hollows : such, on a grand scale, 

 would be the effect of a diluvial wave urged against a moun- 

 tain side, 



Jn such a war of waters, earth, and fire ; a buoyant, closed- 

 in vessel — without masts, rudder, or external ' hamper "* to 

 hold wind, or catch a sea — might have floated uninjured ; 

 and the fewer openings, of any description, in her cover, or 

 sides, the better for her security. Seeing nothing of the conflict 

 around might have diminished the excessive terror which must 

 have been felt by those that were within, except the confiding 

 Chief. We do not find that the largest or highest ' swell "* 

 injures a good ' sea-boat,' when in deep water, and far from 

 land : the foaming ' breakers "* alone destroy. But, after all, such 

 conjectures as these are vain , we cannot now know how far 

 miraculous interposition extended — how far secondary causes 

 were employed. 



The landing of the ark on a mountain of middle height 

 appears remarkable ; because the climate of the highest, on 

 which we might naturally suppose the ark rested, did we not 

 know to the contrary, might have been insupportable during 

 the time that Noah waited for the recess of the waters.* Rea- 

 soning from existing circumstances, the temperature of the 

 surface of the ocean would have been nearly that of the con- 

 tiguous air : but after the waters had receded, high mountain 

 tops would have gradually acquired their present frozen state. 



Here the reflection arises — when did icebergs begin to ap- 

 pear ? Was not the climate equable and temperate all over 

 the world for some time after the Deluge, in consequence of the 

 slow drying and warming of tropical regions, and gradual for- 

 mation of ice near the poles ? Such a condition of climate would 

 have favoured the distribution of animals. Those who oppose 



* The Deluge began in the six hundredth year of Noah's life, in 

 the second month, and seventeenth day of the month (Gen. vii. 11), ; and 

 Noah quitted the ark in the six hundred and first year, in the second 

 month, and twenty-seventh day of the month (Gen. viii. 14), making a 

 period of twelve months and ten days. Noah waited in the ark nearly 

 five months after it grounded on Ararat. 



