148 



Revieios and Notices of Boohs. 



Dawson, and the foundations on which the Lyellian speculations 

 as to man have been based are tottering. There is great doubt 

 and uncertainty among geologists, and we are satisfied that much 

 remains to be done. At the same time we feel sure, that, as in all 

 former cases, Science and Revelation will be found not to be at 

 variance, and the attempt to throw distrust on the Bible record 

 will fail. 



The future of this planet is considered by Mr Page in his work, 

 and he refers to the changes which may be expected to occur ere 

 this state of things comes to an end, and a new race of beings 

 people the earth. As to the future of this world " The Philsosphy 

 of Geology " cannot give us information ; but we know from an un- 

 erring testimony that " the heavens and the earth which are now, 

 by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the 

 day of judgment ; " and that "the heavens shall pass away with a 

 great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the 

 earth also and the works that are therein, shall be burned up ; " 

 and that we are to " look for new heavens and a new earth, 

 wherein dwelletli righteousness." (2 Peter iii.) Here, then, is a 

 prophesied cataclysm, a fer saltum occurrence totally inconsistent 

 with the progressive-development theory, the supporters of which 

 tell us that " no cataclysm has desolated the whole world, and 

 that we may look with some confidence to a secure future of 

 equally inappreciable length," in which, "judging from the past, 

 we may infer safely that not one living species will transmit its 

 unaltered likeness to a distant futurity." 



We have perused Mr Page's clear and interesting volume with 

 much interest. It gives a comprehensive view of the actual state 

 of the science of geology, and contains valuable suggestions as to 

 the future prosecution of it. It brings before the student the 

 difficulties which stand in his way — the danger of rash specula- 

 tion — and the need of accurate data, before drawing conclusions 

 regarding the lithological and palseontological history of our globe. 

 Differing as we do from the author in some particulars, still the 

 cautiousness with which he makes his statements in regard to 

 controverted points, will, we doubt not, show to the young observer 

 that he must not be led away at once by the theories of those 

 geologists who have shown a disposition to dogmatise on these 

 matters. We are all too apt jurare in verba magistri,^^ and 

 anything which makes us doubt the theories given ex cathedra, 

 may be useful in making us sift the points for ourselves and inves- 

 tigate fully the data w^hence conclusions may have been rashly 

 drawn. We must examine carefully and observe accurately before 

 we can theorize. We think that the book will be valuable to 

 young and local observers, by showing them the work to be done, 

 the mode in which it is to be done, and the doubtful speculations 

 which beset their path. 



