2 
, sumes a position of such important consideration as this. 
The art of mining is manifestly of very ancient date; for 
we read in the very earliest parts of sacred history, of the 
existence of iron, copper, brass, silver, and gold, evidently 
in their metallic condition, and therefore there must have 
been at that time a knowledge of the process of extracting 
these substances from their ores. The structure of the 
earth, or the theory of its formation, is also, as a subject of 
speculative consideration, of very ancient date ; indeed, many 
theories have been suggested, in various ages of the world, 
with the view of explaining the phenomena observable about 
the surface of the globe. And whilst some of these were 
extremely erroneous or absurd, others exhibit more or less 
of approximation to what is apparently the truth, and which 
modern science shows to to be something like the real theory 
of the globe. But the science of Geology is quite of modern 
date; for it was not until within a very few years of the 
present time that it could be regarded as a science. Previous 
to that, the knowledge of minerals or earthy substances was 
carried to a tolerable extent ; but the inquiry as to the 
relation in which the various substances and strata stand 
with reference to the construction of the earth, is very 
recent. Hence the science of Geology, with respect to its 
age, may be regarded as a mere infant; and this will explain 
to us why, through the self-confidence incident to its age, it 
has been occasionally brought into disrepute — exposing it, shall 
I say, to ridicule on the one hand, or to the charge of being 
the agent of scepticism on the other hand. Geology, like 
children, has its child-like faults, from which, however, we 
may expect to see it relieved, as it advances in its measure 
of attainment, and when mature judgment and age shall 
have served to correct its too hasty speculations. At the 
same time, whilst conceit and incaution, or defect of per- 
ception, have put forth theories and speculations on the con- 
struction of the earth, which may have had the effect of ex- 
