son, the aurora of thy reason to the study of the sciences; in 
the vicissitudes of life they are an infinite resource, they 
form the mind, they polish the understanding, they instruct 
man in his duties, they delight and amuse us in prosperity, 
they become our consolation in adversity.” Indeed, to the 
student in his cabinet, no less than to the traveller through 
Alpine passes, or over regions explored by the skill of the miner, 
the study of minerals offers at the same time an attractive 
recreation, and an efficient method of disciplining the faculty of 
observation. The closer we investigate the principles on which 
their constitution and their physical properties depend, the more 
are we startled by new and convincing proofs that it is only the 
imperfection of our knowledge which as yet prevents us from 
seeing more than the glimmering outline of that harmony which 
pervades all the works of nature. The system of law, the 
vo/jlos 6 7 t&vtcov fiacnXzvs of Pindar, working as surely in the 
particle which vanishes from our power of sight, as in the 
loftiest mountain mass, reveals itself with more distinctness the 
farther we advance ; and although the difficulties of inquiry are 
heightened, so are its pleasures also increased by the ties of 
brotherhood, which springing hence unite our pursuits with the 
other natural sciences. 
Nor let it be supposed that the details of mining are unpro- 
ductive of advantage to any but the professional miner. Deep in 
the bowels of the earth the labour of generations has wrought out 
edifices no less worthy of admiration than those which the skill of 
the architect has reared upon her surface ; and if, in the latter 
case, we esteem it desirable to learn so much of the principles of the 
art as may enable us to appreciate the design of the craftsman, 
so in the former shall we find in the magnitude of the ope- 
rations, in the diversity of the natural appearances brought to 
light, and in the ingenuity of the processes adopted for the 
maintenance and extension of the works, a harvest of facts no 
less interesting than suggestive of farther inquiry. 
Whatever may be the imperfection of the teacher of these 
subjects, there is in themselves so much that is exact, so much 
that is vast, so much, in fine, that is most worthy of man’s 
highest powers, that we may hope, out of the number who will 
