Ealo7i's Geology. . 



cautious about committing himself on matters of fact or specula- 

 tion. I confess, that I have, most egregiously, violated this rule ; 

 but there are peculiar circumstances in my case, arising from 

 my being ' a hireling drudge' to the most munificent patron of this 

 science, which will palliate, at least, if not justify." This pas- 

 sage in the original is italicised, and pointed, exactly as it is here 

 printed. It would be a difficult matter to produce from the an- 

 nals of literature, a more extravagant instance of self degrada 

 tion, than this passage unblushingly exhibits. 



Mr. Eaton has discreetly remained silent under this infliction, 

 which, as it is stated in the article, fell upon him from a reluc- 

 tant hand, " actuated solely by regard for the interests of science, 

 and not taking pleasure in wantonly exposing Mr. Eaton, or any 

 Other individual." But Mr. Eaton's friends have not been equally 

 discreet : his " munificent patron"* — who is only once referred 

 to in the article, and then under the designation of " a generous 

 individual" — is brought forward in an offensive attitude ; and in 

 a note referred to by a postscript of the Editor, appended to the 

 July number of " The American Journal of Science and Arts," is 

 made to take up a position which neither covers his allies, nor 

 protects himself. General Van Renselaer's note, to be sure, is 

 flanked, right and left, by the postscriptum of Professor Silliman ; 

 but the Professor's demonstrations, although flattering to an in- 

 experienced eye, seldom in the field, look plaguily like going over 

 to the enemy. The Professor is an amiable and a peaceful man, 

 one who has a proper horror of the " charge" — a movement so 

 pregnant with excitement to men with a belligerent turn — and 

 who knows that a scientific bayonet would not come doubly 

 blest, the pleasure, in such cases, being altogether monopolized by 

 the giver. When the Professor, however, says, that the appear- 

 ance of General Van Renselaer's note, is " less an act of courtesy 

 than of justice,^' he means, no doubt, to inspire General Van R. 

 with the belief, that he entirely concurs with that gentleman 

 in his opinions, as they are found in the following passage of his 

 note. 



" It is to be regretted that the author of the review, whose 

 professed object was to advance the science, did not examine 

 professor Eaton's views with a little better spirit, and point out 



* General Van Renselcier, 



4 



